Retail courses
3 retail qualifications in Australia, compared side by side: cost, duration, providers and where each one leads.
- Qualifications
- 3
on this page
- Providers
- 251
across all qualifications
- Median pay
- $64,500–$84,200
across roles in this field
- Employment growth*
- +7%
average across roles
Which of these is right for you?
We don't recommend one provider over another, but four things usually decide which qualification is the right one to start with.
- How much time can you give it?
- A certificate usually runs months, not years, and gets you working sooner. A degree is a multi-year commitment, but it's the only route into a registered profession like pharmacist.
- Do you want to study online, on campus, or both?
- Check each qualification's study modes below. Some are online only, some require placements or on-campus units even in a mostly online course.
- What's your entry point?
- If you're starting from school leaver or career change with no background in the field, the lowest rung on the ladder is usually the realistic start, not the top qualification.
- Which role are you aiming for?
- Some roles need one specific qualification. Others accept several. The roles section below says which qualification on this page actually gets you there.
The retail qualifications
3 qualifications in this field. Each links through to cost, duration and the providers that teach it.
Certificates and diplomas
Certificate II in Retail Services
93 providersThis qualification is the starting point for working on the shop floor, whether that is a supermarket, a department store, a specialty retailer or a quick service restaurant.
Certificate IIView qualification →Certificate III in Retail
121 providersThis certificate suits people working in retail who are ready to take on more than serving customers.
Certificate IIIRetail AssistantView qualification →Certificate IV in Retail Management
37 providersThis course is for people who already work on a retail floor and want to run one.
Certificate IVStore ManagerView qualification →
What retail study leads to
The 2 roles where a retail qualification is a recognised route in, which qualification on this page it is, and what else you need.
Retail Assistant
The direct route is the Certificate III in Retail. Retail service training; meet any employer-specific product and workplace requirements.
Median salary for the role
$64,500
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO Occupation data, February 2026.
Store Manager
The direct route is the Certificate IV in Retail Management. Entry requires Certificate III in Retail or relevant retail experience; the qualification is not a substitute for management experience. Entry requirements: Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who: have achieved a Certificate III in Retail or have relevant industry employment experience in a job role that has involved the application of skills and knowledge described in core units of competency from the SIR30216 Certificate III in Retail.
Median salary for the role
$84,200
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO Occupation data, February 2026.