The National Diploma in Business (Level 5) with optional strands in Accounting, Finance, Finance - Maori, Health and Safety Management, Human Resource Management, Maori Business and Management, Marketing, People Development and Coordination, Project Management, Quality Management, and Systems and Resources Management [Ref: 1498] recognises a range of business-related competence.

This qualification is primarily intended for people who hold, or aspire to hold, positions involving the management and leadership of a team or business unit with a single focus. These positions involve an operational role with one set of interlinked objectives. This qualification is intended both for people seeking recognition of current competence for existing knowledge and skills they use in their work, and for people acquiring skills and knowledge in a range of education settings. The qualification therefore offers the flexibility needed in responding to the broad spectrum of contexts relevant to candidates.

This qualification recognises a broad base of technical competence and includes opportunities for increasing specialisation. Elective A provides a range of standards from which the candidate can select according to their circumstances, and which provides a sound basis for increasing specialisation. Elective B provides the opportunity for the candidate to specialise in one or more relevant areas. Depending on the credits awarded, Electives A and B may lead to the award of optional strands (see below) to reflect this specialisation. Elective C provides a wider choice to allow candidates to recognise skills and knowledge from outside field Business and relevant to their own context.

People who have achieved this qualification have demonstrated the skills, knowledge, and competence to undertake a range of business activities, and to carry out specific roles within business.

This qualification builds on the skills and knowledge recognised in lower-level qualifications, such as:
. National Certificate in Business (Level 3) [Ref: 1431]
. National Certificate in Business Administration and Computing (Level 3) [Ref: 0633]
. National Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 3) [Ref: 0743]
. National Certificate in Business (First Line Management) (Level 4) [Ref: 0649]
. National Certificate in Business Administration (Level 4) [Ref: 0634]
. National Certificate in Maori Business and Management [Ref: 0365].

Potentially relevant qualifications also at NZQF level 5 include:
. National Diploma in Business Administration (Level 5) [Ref: 0370]
. National Diploma in Maori Business and Management with an optional strand in Iwi Management [Ref: 0366].

This qualification may lead to National Diploma in Business (Level 6) [Ref: 1499] and/or to other qualifications that more specifically reflect industry specialisations.