Diploma for Virtual Assistants

Build a Career as a Virtual Assistant Online

Study 250 hours of practical business skills and earn an ICOES and CPD-accredited diploma, fully online and self-paced.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
12 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
36
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Diploma for Virtual Assistants

Build a Career as a Virtual Assistant Online

Study 250 hours of practical business skills and earn an ICOES and CPD-accredited diploma, fully online and self-paced.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
12 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
36
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Why Study This

Practical, Job-Relevant Skills You Can Build.

ICOES And CPD-Accredited Diploma, Recognised Internationally

Xero Advisor Certification And 6 Months MYOB Access Included

250 Hours Of Content, No Exams, Study At Your Own Pace

Skills & Applications

Skills You'll Build

Practical, job-relevant skills for these roles. As a professional development course, it builds capability in this field rather than guaranteeing a specific role or salary.

35k+
Employed in business & management (NZ)
↑ 9%
Projected job growth (NZ)
Virtual AssistantProvides remote administrative, scheduling, and communication support to businesses or individual clients.
Remote Executive AssistantManages diaries, correspondence, and administrative tasks for senior staff from a remote location.
Business Support SpecialistHandles a broad range of operational and administrative tasks to keep a business running smoothly.
Office AdministratorCoordinates day-to-day office functions including correspondence, filing, and scheduling.
Accounts AdministratorProcesses invoices, manages records, and supports bookkeeping tasks, often using software such as Xero or MYOB.
Client Services CoordinatorManages client relationships, responds to enquiries, and ensures smooth service delivery.
Digital Marketing AssistantSupports online marketing activities including social media scheduling, content coordination, and reporting.
Freelance Virtual AssistantOperates independently, providing contracted administration and business support services to multiple clients.

Indicative market figures from publicly available New Zealand data (Stats NZ · careers.govt.nz). Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.

What You’ll Learn

36 Units · 31 Core, 5 Electives

Core Units · 31 units
  • Topic 1Starting Up your Virtual Assistance Business
  • Topic 2Effective Business Communication
  • Topic 3Office Organisation & Procedures
  • Topic 4Time Management, Ethics & Professionalism
  • Topic 5Introduction to Microsoft Word
  • Topic 6Using Microsoft Excel
  • Topic 7Business Types and Structures
  • Topic 8What is Accounting?
  • Topic 9Transactions and Definitions
  • Topic 10Accounts and Definitions
  • Topic 11Accounting for Transactions
  • Topic 12Accounts and Financial Statements
  • Topic 13Introduction to GST
  • Topic 14Introduction to Xero Online
  • Topic 15Xero Chart of Accounts
  • Topic 16Managing Contacts with Xero
  • Topic 17Xero Sales, Invoices, Quotes & Inventory
  • Topic 18Xero Purchases and Bills
  • Topic 19Reconciliation and Managing Accounts with Xero
  • Topic 20Introduction to Xero Reporting
  • Topic 21Introduction to Xero Add-ons
  • Topic 22Foundations of Project Leadership
  • Topic 23Strategic Project Identification and Analysis
  • Topic 24Comprehensive Project Planning and Design
  • Topic 25Leadership in Project Implementation
  • Topic 26Monitoring, Control, and Adaptive Leadership
  • Topic 27Project Closure, Evaluation, and Continuous Improvement
  • Topic 28Technical Skills for Project Leaders
  • Topic 29Leadership Skills for High-Performance Teams
  • Topic 30Communication and Stakeholder Management
  • Topic 31Advanced Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
Elective Units · 5 units
  • Topic 1Digital Marketing Fundamentals
  • Topic 2Content Creation with AI
  • Topic 3Google Advertising
  • Topic 4Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Advertising
  • Topic 5Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)
Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

What you’ll typically need to get started.

No formal academic prerequisites

Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.

What’s Included

Everything That Comes With Your Enrolment

Industry-Accredited Certificate of Achievement

Upon completion, you'll receive a Certificate of Achievement accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, recognised internationally and by New Zealand employers.

Unlimited Tutor Support

Access unlimited tutor support via phone and email during business hours from industry expert tutors throughout your studies.

100% Online, Study When It Suits You

Fully online and self-paced learning with 12 months access and approximately 250 hours of content. No exams, ever.

Career Centre & Career Coaching

Instant access to the Career Centre upon enrolment, including CV templates, a free personalised CV review, interview preparation tips, job opportunities, and a five-step job success process.

Connect with Top Recruiters

Career Centre provides connections to top recruiters and employers in the business administration field.

Free Student ID Card

Receive a virtual Student ID Card upon enrolment giving access to over 150,000 discounts on food, entertainment, travel and more in New Zealand and globally.

Free CCH eBook Library Access

Access to over 50 CCH eBook titles to enhance learning and knowledge, included free with enrolment.

Xero Advisor Certification & Free MYOB Access

Special partnerships with Xero and MYOB provide access to the official Xero Advisor Certification and six months' free access to MYOB software.

Free bonus courses included

Six months free access to MYOB

Included via special partnership with MYOB, giving students hands-on access to MYOB…

CCH eBook Library Access

Free access to over 50 titles to enhance learning and knowledge.

CAN
Your Provider

The Career Academy NZ

The Career Academy offers an online Career Centre providing career coaching, CV reviews, interview preparation, job search resources, and LinkedIn profile reviews. Students have access to a Career Success Hub, Business Hub, and Self Service Resource Hub. The centre includes one-to-one coaching from dedicated career support staff and is available to all students during and after their studies.

Fees & Funding

Flexible Ways To Pay

From $29/Week
on an interest-free payment plan
EASY WAYS TO PAY
Pay upfrontWeekly payment plan
Enquire to confirm the exact fees and payment options for your situation. We don’t list a set price here because it varies by your circumstances.
Getting Started

Your Path To Enrolment

A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.

1
Click 'Enrol Now' on the course page
2
Select payment option (upfront or payment plan)
3
Complete enrolment form
4
Gain instant access to course and Career Centre
Why Students Choose The

What Students Say

★★★★★

Hiromi found the perfect work-life balance after enrolling in The Career Academy's Certificate in Bookkeeping. As a busy mum, the flexibility of online study allowed her to pursue her dream career while caring for her family. Upon completing her course, she secured a role with The Back Office Company.

HHiromi
★★★★★

Cameron transformed his passion for dogs into a successful mobile dog grooming service. The Career Academy's Diploma in Dog Grooming equipped him with the skills and confidence to launch his business.

CYCameron Young
★★★★★

Despite facing health challenges, Christine pursued a career in medical reception through The Career Academy. The Certificate in Medical Reception provided her with the skills and confidence to work in a medical practice, allowing her to increase her workload and achieve her professional goals.

CChristine
★★★★★

Hannah wasn't sure what career path to take, but after enrolling in the Certificate in Reception & Office Support at The Career Academy, she discovered her passion. Now working as a Sales Administrator, she's continuing her educational journey with a Bachelor of Business.

HHannah
★★★★★

Ashley transitioned from hospitality to the medical field after completing The Career Academy's Medical Reception & Terminology course. Her newfound passion for the medical field is leading her to pursue further studies in midwifery, all thanks to the flexibility of online learning.

AAshley
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no formal academic entry requirements listed for this diploma. It suits anyone looking to build virtual assistant or remote business support skills from the ground up. Submit an enquiry to confirm any current prerequisites.
A weekly payment plan may be available to spread the cost of enrolment. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm current pricing and payment options.
Students have 12 months access to complete approximately 250 hours of content. Because the course is self-paced, you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule. Submit an enquiry if you have questions about extensions or flexible timing.
The course is 100% online and self-paced with no set class times. Unlimited tutor support is available by phone and email during business hours. There are no exams at any point in the programme.
No work placement is required for this course. Practical skills are developed through online course content, software tools, and real-world case-based learning. The Career Centre provides job listings and recruiter connections to support your move into the workforce.
Graduates receive a Certificate of Achievement accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, both internationally recognised bodies. A SEEK Pass verified credential is also available to share the qualification directly with employers on SEEK. This course is not a government-accredited or nationally recognised qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework; it is professional development training carrying recognised industry endorsement.
As a professional development course, credit toward formal qualifications is arranged through the provider's RPL and credit recognition process. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm what this diploma may count toward and how to apply.
The diploma prepares students for roles such as virtual assistant, accounts administrator, client services coordinator, and office administrator. Career outcomes depend on individual experience, effort, and the job market. The included Career Centre and recruiter connections are designed to support your job search after completing the course.
About This Course

Diploma for Virtual Assistants

This diploma covers the core skills virtual assistants and remote business support professionals use every day. Students learn office administration, client communication, digital tools, bookkeeping basics, and online business management. The course includes official Xero Advisor Certification and six months of MYOB software access.

Delivered by The Career Academy NZ, the programme is 100% online and self-paced across 12 months access, with approximately 250 hours of content. There are no exams. Unlimited tutor support is available by phone and email during business hours throughout the course.

On enrolment, students gain instant access to a Career Centre with CV templates, a personalised CV review, interview preparation resources, and connections to recruiters in the business administration field. A SEEK Pass verified credential lets graduates share their qualification directly on SEEK.

Ready When You Are

Take The Next Step Into Business & Management

Enquire about this course and a course advisor from The Career Academy NZ will be in touch with pricing and next steps.

Helping students across New Zealand find the right course since 2013 · 1M+ enquiries

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week

Disclaimer: Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on the date shown below. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.

Last updated: July 2026