Online Executive Assistant Program Course | Australian Online Courses

Today’s executive assistants are tech-savvy project managers who work hard, take on complex tasks and are well compensated for it. So, if you’ve been considering a career as an Executive or Personal Assistant, you’ll enjoy a highly rewarding, challenging role that’s full of potential.

The Executive Assistant Program is an online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to develop your career as an Executive or Personal Assistant.

In this executive assistant course, you will discover administrative support, office communications, recordkeeping, and time management strategies. You will also learn to nurture relationships and manage personal and professional development.

Throughout this course, you will learn to design and produce business documents, communicate with stakeholders, establish and meet work priorities and organise schedules, appointments, and meetings.

On completion of this program, you will maximise your communication effectiveness, improve your time management skills and develop your professional competence and success as an Executive or Personal Assistant.

Printed learning materials are available for purchase for this course and can be ordered during enrolment.

Course Structure

Unit 1 - Organise personal work priorities

Develop work goals and Key performance indicators (KPI’s)
Organisational objectives
Team goals
Personal work goals
KPI’s
Time management
Prioritising tasks
Urgency – urgent/non urgent tasks
Minimising constraints
Providing training for workers
Developing a work plan
Risk assessment and contingencies
Performance issues
Work standards
Work variations – not providing quality of service
Seeking feedback
Performance reviews
Signs and symptoms of stress
Needing extra support
Identifying skills gaps
Personal and professional development needs
What skills do you need to improve?
Accessing learning support
Recording achievements
Incorporate feedback into learning plans
Organisational policies and procedures
Signs of workplace stress

Unit 2 - Plan and apply time management

Work goals and plans
Discussions with supervisors, managers and team
Short-term and long-term goals
Team performance
Relationship between work and organisational goals and plans
Time management techniques and strategies
Time management plan
Time management tools
Planning and prioritising work tasks
Perform tasks according to timelines and instructions
Compiling lists with deadlines and priority
Seek assistance from colleagues when difficulties arise
Appropriate action
Factors affecting your work plan
Communicating progress
Seek feedback
Evaluate own performance
Address feedback to improve your time management
Plan opportunities for improvement
Employee development plans
Develop and improve skills

Unit 3 - Design and produce business documents

Technology and software requirements
Business suites
Word processing
Desktop publishing
Spreadsheets
Software applications – what is it to be used for?
Software suitable for specific tasks
Layout and style
Document design principles
Format and style
Identifying, opening and creating files
Opening a Microsoft Office program
Creating files
Designing a document
Templates
Styles and working with themes
Organisational requirements
Editing
Checking documents meet task requirements
Enhancements to formatting
Creating a mail merge
Storing and saving documents appropriately
Difficulties with document design and production
Help functions
Proofreading (spelling, grammar and punctuation)
Changes
Saving and naming documents
Document presentation
Printing and PDF file format

Unit 4 - Organise business meetings

Type and purpose of meeting
Meeting types
Frequency options
Legal, ethical and organisational requirements
Meeting arrangements
Prepare notice of meeting, agenda and meeting papers
Distribute documentation and meeting details
Confirm required resources (speakers and printed materials)
Taking meeting notes
Assign minute taker
Key decisions and actions
Accurate minutes
Distribute meeting materials within designated timelines

Unit 5 - Organise schedules

Establish schedule requirements
Organisational requirements for staff planning tools
Planning tools
Appointment types
Items to diarise
Features of scheduling systems
Daily tasks
Appointment schedules consultatively
Recurring appointments and deadlines
Scheduling new appointments according to timelines
Negotiating arrangements to appointments
Record and manage appointments and schedules
Seek feedback on schedules
Effectiveness of schedules
Identify improvements
Regular meetings

Unit 6 - Apply communication skills

Identify your work tasks
Channels of communication
Verbal, written and visual communication
Identify organisation channels
Identify stake holders
Seek advice from supervisors
Purpose and planning communication
Closed and open questions
Speaking skills
Effective listening
Non-verbal communication
Body language
Using symbols to communication
Seek and respond to feedback
Format requirements
Document proposals
Policies and procedures
Templates and style guides
Drafting proposals and submit for approval
Editing and formatting

Estimated Duration

90 hours

Course Delivery and Start

Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online

Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Career Outcomes

Professional development for:

Executive Assistant
Personnel Assistant
Administrative Assistant

My experience studying with Australian Online Courses has been positive. The platform was easy to use, and the course content was clear and well structured, which made learning manageable. I also valued the flexibility of studying at my own pace while balancing other commitments. Overall, it was a practical and worthwhile learning experience that supported my professional development.

Luisella

Calamvale, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

May 2026

I found the course content and assessments extremely relevant and easy to use!

Nicole

Sale, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

March 2026

Easy to access, interesting and informative content, user friendly.

Katrina

Ballarat, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

February 2026

My experience was very seamless and easy to understand. It was very straightforward and the learning material was very useful.

Kate-Leigh

Taigum, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

January 2026

I had a great experience. The tutors marked my work quickly and I was always offered support via email if I needed it.

Dakota

Frenchville, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

January 2026

The overall experience was positive. The learning material was comprehensive and well-structured. I found the course engaging and can confidently say that I gained a lot of valuable knowledge.

Sumarie

Burleigh Heads, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

August 2025

I like the flexibility of being able to do this in my on time and pace. I took on this course as I was offered the EA position in our company. and this helped as a bit of a guide as I was settling in.

Rebecca

Virginia, SA

Executive Assistant Program

May 2025

It was a refresher for me, so it was good to know and remember the tools available for office assistants.

Wajiha

Southbank, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

February 2025

I found the Executive Assistant Program to be really informative and at times, both easy and challenging. The easy parts were areas I already had skills, but it was still very useful to reinforce these. Developing and Managing Relationships was more difficult for me but I did learn a lot. Thank you to the tutors for your support and your ability to know when to check in on me, good work!

Desley

Newport, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

October 2024

The content was set out clearly, assessments were manageable and relevant to my current position.

Bianca

Deakin, ACT

Executive Assistant Program

September 2024

I love the flexibility of self pacing due to the busyness of the position I am in. Very informative, some areas were revision, a tutor was always available for support.

Nadine

Mount Louisa, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

August 2024

The course was well planned and presented, allowing easy access to the required information. The administration team was always friendly and approachable and provided great assistance when required. The 12-month allowance for completion of the course was much appreciated, and I will thoroughly recommend Australian Online Courses to anyone looking for flexible study options.

Cathie

Canberra City ACT

Executive Assistant Program

May 2024

It was overall a very good experience, everything was easily accessed and when I needed support, they were quick to respond. I enjoyed learning about everything in my topics.

Paige

New Beith, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

May 2024

I enjoyed the course, especially because it was online and I could access it simultaneously while working. The course was a good brush up to skills.

Priya

Launceston, TAS

Executive Assistant Program

March 2024

I enjoyed going at my own pace learning and doing the assessments. I felt this information was great at reaffirming my knowledge of the role, as I was learning on the job at the time as well, plus giving me great new tips to apply to my role.

Bronte

Eagle Farm, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

November 2023

Desley

Newport, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

October 2023

I personally welcomed the option of printed material and that was probably the deciding factor for me to choose Australian Online Courses.

Elaine

Mitchell Park, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

September 2023

Access to the course material was easy, the online system is very user friendly which made the experience comfortable. The content was suffice and assessments were communicated clearly. Overall, very satisfied with the experience.

K. H.

QLD

Executive Assistant Program

August 2023

I found the course easy to follow, and assistance was always there if you needed it.

M. H.

Currumbin, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

July 2023

Beneficial and great topics, lots of information

D. H.

Macleod, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

July 2023

Easy access to study modes and staff when you called were very helpful and friendly

G. D.

Ballarat, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

July 2023

My experience with AOC was great. Whenever I needed guidance the tutors responded back in a timely manner.

P. Barratt

Camp Mountain, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

June 2023

Overall the course was informative and useful.

E. Belcher

Sydney, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

June 2023

Being able to study online is great as it allows flexibility to complete when you can. This course was a great refresh for me.

L. Burgess

Ipswich, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

June 2023

My studying experience with Australian Online Courses has been incredibly pleasant. I have leaned so much and the tutors are very helpful and nice!

A. Clark

Black Rock, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

April 2023

Experience was smooth and simple, loved that fact that study expectations were set to your own pace of learning, was great to be able to complete during any spare time as well as time allocated to study. All tutors who I communicated with were easy to contact and were quick to reply to any questions I had. Overall would recommend Australian Online Course to anyone looking to do short courses online.

T. King

Toowoomba, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

March 2023

Easy and slimline experience from start to finish.

L. Sturme

Burpengary, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

March 2023

Very easy and quick way to learn. Can be done from anywhere in the world with just a laptop.

Z. Morales

Mitchelstown, Co. Cork

Executive Assistant Program

January 2023

I found the online program quite easy to navigate and course structure very informative.

L. Stratilas

Norwest, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

January 2023

It was a great course. Made it practical and putting these tools to use as we speak!

P. Pigeon

Aroona, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

September 2022

Convenient to be able to complete the course both online and at times that suit my schedule. All assessments were marked relatively fast! Appropriate content was given to answer the questions.

A. Carnovale

Sydney, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

August 2022

Simple and easy learning. I actually learned some additional products that I have implemented with my employment

M. Hoad

Taree, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

August 2022

I really enjoy my experience with Australia online course. Would recommend

Z. Martin

Orbost, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

May 2022

It was easy to navigate and I could work at my own pace

S. Ruggeri

Alexandria, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

March 2022

The online hub was user friendly and the amount of information provided was great. Only other comments are that it was a lot of text and that it could be great to have some audio/visual content to assist/have a break from reading.

C. Holliday

Googong, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

January 2022

I found this program very useful and comprehensive. I enjoyed completing each unit. All units very very relevant to my current role. Thank you

K. Andrews

Kings Park, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

September 2021

The course was great; i was provided with the knowledge i need to be able to do my job efficiently and effectively. Thank you 🙂

L. Hallett

Cottesloe, WA

Executive Assistant Program

September 2021

This course has been beneficial to my know-how in the workplace and has helped me grow in areas that are not covered in roles day to day. Studying with Australian Online Courses has been straightforward and reassuring, feeling supported by the tutors if and when needed

J. Rosentreter

Mansfield, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

August 2021

I’ve enjoyed the course very much and I would recommend it

M. Avory

Collaroy Plateau, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

August 2021

I very much enjoyed the course and felt it was relevant to my career path. Assignments were also marked in a timely manor.

F. Meier

Balgowlah Heights, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

August 2021

Very good

L. McCann

Newington, NSW

Executive Assistant Program

July 2021

I absolutely enjoyed this course and learnt so much. Very interesting and informative content which will definitely help in my career advancement, especially with the functions and tips that I wasn’t familiar with in Word and Excel. I am also absolutely thrilled that I got to experience working with PowerPoint which I was equally unfamiliar with. Thank you for the opportunity and I definitely recommend this course.

M. Valadon

Brunswick East, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

July 2021

Really positive. Course was easy to follow and the content was all relevant

K. Prentice

Kurunjang, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

June 2021

It was very user friendly and easy access to Tutors. Units were marked fairly quickly

J. Bow

Ferney Grove, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

May 2021

Very easy to follow and well written content

A. Foley

Bowen Hills, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

May 2021

This is my first course with Australian Online Courses and I found both the content and the accessibility great

J. Wooding

Aveley, WA

Executive Assistant Program

April 2021

I had a good training experience with Australian Online Courses

N. Riley

Fyshwick, ACT

Executive Assistant Program

January 2021

I thought overall the course was excellent

M. Jones

Southbank, VIC

Executive Assistant Program

December 2020

My experience with Australian online courses has been great and would do another course through them and recommend them to everyone to use.

S. Muir

Duingal, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

December 2020

Informative and easy to navigate

G. Delaney

Franklin, Canberra

Executive Assistant Program

October 2020

Enjoyed the course and the website is really easy to navigate. Sometimes struggled to find the answers to the questions in the learning resources provided in the units. Particularly the ‘organise business travel’ and ‘design and produce business documents office 2016’.

G. Hall

Craigburn Farm, SA

Executive Assistant Program

July 2020

I was very happy with the experience and look forward to completing more in the future!

R. Kirwood

Wynnum West, QLD

Executive Assistant Program

July 2020

I found this course to be very thorough. It has certainly improved my skill set. I would definitely recommend AOC to friends and colleagues.

R. Kendrick

Glen Iris, VIC