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Bachelor of
Business majoring in Small Business Leadership
Entry requirements
Key information
VIEWING DOMESTIC
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Start dates
March
July
IELTS Overall
6.0
Speaking: 6.0
Writing: 6.0
Pearson Overall
50
CRICOS code
058294B
Duration
3 years full-time
Delivery mode
In person (on campus)
Bedford Park, City
Start dates
March
July
Annual fee
$39,000 (2026)
About these fees
Want to be your own boss?
Whether you’re dreaming of opening your own clinic, launching a creative venture, or turning a passion into a career, the Bachelor of Business majoring in Small Business Leadership helps you build the confidence and skills to make it happen. With a focus on leadership and smart use of technology, you’ll learn how to grow and manage your own business successfully.
Connect with industry mentors, work on real-world projects, and get the support you need to turn your ideas into a thriving future.
Ranked in the top 2%
in of the universities in the world
THE World University Rankings 2024 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities
No.1 in SA
in Business & Management for learning resources
The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only
5 stars
in Business & Management for learning resources and student support
The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate)
Launch or grow your own business.
Did you know that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of South Australia's economy? They make up a whopping 98% of all business registrations in the state, employ over 300,000 people and represent nearly 40% of the total workforce. Get the right skills and knowledge to maximise growth.
No. Australian
2.6m
Small Businesses
People Employed in SA
300K
in Small Businesses
Self-employed Owner-Managers
As a speech therapist, physiotherapist, or other skilled professional, starting your own business lets you make key financial, marketing, and operational decisions independently. Set your own hours, shape your culture, and create meaningful client experiences. With flexible work options, exciting challenges, and the potential for greater income, you can grow your business from anywhere.
General Manager
Be at the helm of an organisation or a business unit, planning, directing and coordinating its operations. Unlike roles that focus on a single area like human resources or marketing, in this role you oversee all aspects of the business.
Salary
160k
Typical salary in Australia
Job growth
9.6%
5-year projection
Sources: Seek, Jobs & Skills Australia & ABS Counts of Australians Businesses, 2025 | Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
Entrepreneur
Be the founder of a business based on an original idea for a product or service.
Managing Director
Oversee the overall operations and direction of a company. You will work closely with the board of directors to determine objectives, strategies, and policies, ensure that the company meets its goals and remains competitive in the market.
Business Analyst
Evaluate and enhance business processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify needs, translate insights into clear requirements, and support the development of strategic solutions.
Project Manager
Plan, execute and close projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. You will manage teams, allocate resources and communicate with stakeholders to keep everyone aligned.
With further postgraduate study and work experience, careers could include:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- Executive Director
What will you study to start your career in small business leadership?
In your first year, you’ll study the foundations of business, including economics, marketing and management, while building essential skills in problem-solving, communication and data analysis.
After your first year, you will choose to specialise in small business leadership as a major or minor, forming part of your Bachelor of Business degree.
When choosing Small Business Leadership as a major, these are the core topics you will be exploring. You'll also gain hands-on experience through a placement.
Core topics
Your first year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
Undertake an honours year in Business
Elevate your business acumen and deepen your expertise. Develop research skills for higher degrees like a PhD, gain advanced knowledge, and build innovation and project management skills. Completing an honours program demonstrates initiative, project management, effective writing and research skills to future employers.
No.1 in SA
in Business & Management for learning resources and overall education experiences.
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
Ranked #1 in Australia and #2 Globally
for Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
(Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025)
Five stars in
Business & Management
for learning resources
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
Flinders offers a vibrant, fun, supportive uni experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Need support?
From cultural, health and wellbeing services, to study and financial support, enrolment advice and more, we’re here to help.
Student clubs
Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) is the heart of the Flinders Experience. FUSA is where you’ll find out about events, club memberships and extracurricular activities.
Campus facilities
Flinders’ campuses are hubs of activity, with retail and food outlets, library spaces, study and chill spaces and more.
Learn from the experts.
Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.
Associate Professor
Philip Palmer
Philip builds technical skills and industry experience, helping students become confident, job-ready professionals. He integrates real-world insights into learning, drawing from his expertise as a CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand member to support career growth.
Lecturer
Dr Afshin Tanouri
Afshin specialises in digital technologies and gamification, with research spanning mental health, wellbeing, and alcohol reduction, published in top journals. Passionate about industry engagement and research-driven teaching, he integrates real-world experiences into courses covering digital marketing, sustainability, and business ethics.
Lecturer
Dr Salmin Mostafa
Salmin examines earnings management, corporate social responsibility, and financial distress, focusing on organisational capital and culture. She enhances learning with active engagement and tailored strategies, helping students develop essential skills for professional success.
Connect with industry.
You will have the chance to dive into hands-on placement opportunities with a diverse range of industry partners. Whether it's the Big Four accounting firms, globally recognised FMCG brands, banking and financial institutions, SMEs focused on social accountability and community engagement, sporting organisations, or South Australian government departments, there's something for everyone. These partnerships offer you valuable opportunities to gain real-world experience and insights across various sectors.
Gain real world experience.
Discover how Flinders Business degrees can fast-track your career.
Industry placements and engaging with industry are essential parts of your study at Flinders. You'll gain hands-on experience in the business world, conduct research, develop strategic insights, and make recommendations to help your clients elevate their business.
These opportunities are available throughout the year in various second and third-year option topics across business majors and minors.
Hear Aleyna explain her Flinders Business industry placement experience at EY, "When I started at EY I felt prepared to be chucked in the deep end and they did, and having employment come out of the placement was excellent."
- Entry requirements
- Application options
If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.
This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.
If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice.
How to apply
Select your course.
Check entry requirements.
Check your eligibility for credit.
Obtain certified documents.
Submit your application and documents.
Application options.
Apply online
Follow up our step-by-step guide to help you with your application to study at Flinders.
Find an agent
Our registered education agents around the world understand the university system and will guide you through the application process.
Contact us
Get in touch with our team to discuss your preferences, career options, pathways, and course and entry requirements. We are here to ensure you have everything you need to choose the right degree for you.
Don't meet academic requirements? Don't worry. We'll help you get there.
Preparatory courses
If you lack required English proficiency, improve through Flinders University Academy or approved ELICOS providers for direct university entry without IELTS/TOEFL tests.
Flinders University Academy
If you do not meet entry requirements for your desired degree, Flinders University Academy will provide you with a direct pathway into the destination degree of your choice.
Gain two qualifications in just 1.5 years of extra study with a combined degree.
Flinders combined degree options can help you pursue multiple passions and graduate with two degrees to broaden your career opportunities.
Explore all combined degrees.
Add on International Relations & Political Science
Combined SATAC code: 244191
Duration: 4 years
Delivery Mode: In person
Combining studies in Business with a Bachelor of International Relations and Political Science opens the door to a multitude of careers in international organisations, aid and human rights, government, transnational crime, terrorism, and non-government organisations.
Add on Laws - Legal Practice Entry
Combined SATAC code: 284541
Duration: 5 years
Delivery Mode: In person
Add on Information Technology
Combined SATAC code: 214761
Duration: 4 years
Delivery Mode: In person
With this combined degree, you will develop the professional business and IT skills to get you job-ready, gain strong knowledge in areas you’re passionate about, and build the complex critical thinking and problem-solving abilities needed to drive innovation and tackle real-world challenges across industries.
You might also be interested in other majors.
Frequently asked questions.
Over the years, many questions have been asked by students before. For the quickest answers view our frequently asked questions or browse the full list @ Ask Flinders.
You can customise your degree with majors like Event Management and Tourism, International Business, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing, Leading Change or Sports Management.
Yes! Flinders offers industry placements, internships, and real-world projects as part of the Bachelor of Business. You’ll have the chance to build practical experience and professional connections before you graduate in third year.
Yes! Flinders offers student exchange and overseas study opportunities. Spending a semester abroad can help you build international experience and expand your global perspective.
- Applications are completed via SATAC
- Visit: satac.edu.au
The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published
| ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds | ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors | Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 99.40 | 99.95 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 73.35 | 77.78 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 57.75 | 65.50 |
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students
| Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024) | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 46 | 34% |
| Vocational education and training (VET) study | <5 | <5 |
| Work and life experience | 11 | 8% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 37 | 28% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) | <5 | 2 |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) | 17 | 13% |
| International Students | 18 | 13% |
| All students | 134 | 100% |
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CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University