If working from home or traveling while earning an income is appealing to you, the flexibility offered by becoming a virtual administrative assistant is ideal. This online professional development course is designed to help you launch your career as a virtual assistant.
Professional Development for Virtual Assistants will take you through the process of starting your own business and provide you with the tools and techniques that are required to be successful as a virtual assistant.
In this online virtual assistant course, you will hone your communication and organisational skills, learn how to manage multiple tasks and gain a range of business skills designed to help you succeed as a virtual assistant. You will also undertake business planning, develop your services and pricing and learn how to successfully market your virtual assistant business.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to launch your own virtual assistant business in administration.
Course Structure
Unit 1- Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy
- Touch typing techniques
- Keyboard techniques
- Using the keyboard
- Identify and develop keyboard skills
- Speed and accuracy
- Use safe work practices
- Ergonomic requirements
- Workstations
- Health and safety (OHS)
- Mouse buttons and operations
- Alpha keys and numeric keypad
- Word screen
- The ribbon
- Quick access toolbar
- Creating a new document
- Document enhancement
- Check accuracy
- Proofread document
- Correct document
- Check spelling and grammar
- Proofreading documents
- Errors and corrections
- Typing Test Standard: AS2708-2001.
Unit 2 - Write complex documents
- Document planning
- Business letters and documents
- Purpose and audience
- Format & communication
- Categories and logical sequence
- Structure and content
- Action plan
- Draft text
- Graphics and graphs
- Non-discriminatory language
- Gender-based language
- Non-english speaking
- Plain english
- Personal and impersonal writing
- Report formats
- Complex reports
- Writing an outline
- Check grammar spelling and style
- Accuracy and punctuation
- Acronyms
- Capitals
- Draft approval
- Revisions in final copy
- Design document
- Page layout
- Citing sources
- Quoting, paraphrasing and plagiarising
- Copyright permission
- Author-date (Harvard) system
- Ergonomic factors
Unit 3 - Manage personal and professional development
- Personal work goals
- Qualities of manager/leaders
- Modelling behaviours
- The balanced scorecard
- Strategic and operational plans
- Efficiency vs effectiveness
- Delegate effectively
- Managing paperwork
- Effective filing processes
- Effective meetings
- Flexibility
- Managing contingencies
- Measuring personal performance
- Weekly planning
- Using technology effectively
- Work/life balance
- Maintain professional competence
- Seek feedback
- Development opportunities
- Networking
- Mentoring
Unit 4 - Design and produce business documents
- Select and prepare resources
- Select technology and software
- Select layout, format and style
- Basic design principles
- Design document
- Open and generate file
- Short cut keys
- Function keys
- Word screen
- The ribbon
- Quick access toolbar
- Formatting tools
- Font group
- Format painter
- Text alignment
- Paragraph spacing
- Shading and borders
- PowerPoint
- Using wizards
- Produce document
- Microsoft applications
- Page layout
- Formatting
- Fields
- Bullets and numbers
- Headers and footers
- Themes and styles
- Creating tables
- Object linking and embedding
- Clipart and text wrapping
- Inserting shapes
- Charts and graphs
- Mail merge
- Check produced document
- Store and save
- USB devices
- Help desks and user manuals
- Finalise document
- Proofread document
- Use thesaurus
- Check spelling and grammar
- Make modifications
- Name and store
- Organisational requirements
- PDF file format
- Print and present
Unit 5 - Research and develop business plans
- The purpose and components of a business plan
- How to create a business plan
- What to include in your business plan
- Business goals, objectives and budgets
- Market needs and size
- Compliance
- Product mix, volumes and pricing opportunities
- Planning market activities
- Draft business plan
- Start-up businesses
- Plan outline
- Specialist services
- Consulting with stakeholders
- Costs of products and services
- Fixed costs and variable costs
- Mixed or semi-variable costs
- Step costs or semi-fixed costs
- Calculating prices based on costs and profit targets
- Cash flow projections
- Budget types and targets
- Forecasting and operations budgeting
- Budgets as controls and reporting tools
- Setting budget targets
- Business finance options
- Start-up financing
- Equity finance
- Debt finance
- Bootstrapping
- Grants, subsidies and tax concessions
- Over draft or line of credit
- Risk management strategies and planning
- Identify compliance breaches
- Contingency plans
- Business planning
- Feasibility studies and strategic plans
- Operational and financial plans
- Marketing plans
- Workplace procedures
Unit 6 - Virtual Assistant Business
- Virtual assistant services
- Setting up your virtual office
- Virtual assistant tools
- Virtual assistant organisations
- SEO for your business
- Developing your services
- Specialisations
- Pricing
- Marketing your services
- Social media marketing
- Workflow
- Time management
Study Hours
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.
One (1) Typing Speed and Accuracy Test. This typing test is marked according to Australian Standards. Conditions apply.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no entry requirements or pre-requisites for entry into this program.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 90 hours. Twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
Yes! The cost for printed materials for this course is $50 per unit plus $100 for unit 6. Total cost for optional printed materials is: $350.00. Printed materials are available for purchase at any time and not require to complete this course. Everything you need to complete the course is provided online via our e-learning system.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Virtual Assistant
- Email Marketing Manager
- Transcriptionist
- Social Media Specialist