HomeCoursesInformation technologyCertificate III
Certificate III · national qualification
Certificate III in Information Technology
This qualification is a starting point for paid work in IT support and related fields, and it assumes no prior experience.
- How long it takes
- 4 to 12 months
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $1,740
- Subsidised at TAFE NSW, full fee up to $9,220
- How you can study
- Online, on campus or on the job
- Taught by
- 32 providers
- Every state and territory
Is this course right for you?
What the Certificate III in Information Technology asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- a genuine interest in how technology works
- patience when solving problems step by step
- clear ways of explaining technical things to others
- a willingness to work through problems with a team
Before you start
The qualification has no set entry requirements, but each provider can add its own.
Certificate III or Certificate IV?
Certificate IV in Information Technology is the higher level. This Certificate III is a starting point for paid work in IT support, covering troubleshooting and maintaining workplace technology and explaining technical problems to users.
See the courseWhere this course can take you
No job needs this course on its own, but it can help with the work below.
Jobs this course can help with
None of these jobs needs a set qualification.
IT Support Officer
IT support officers troubleshoot the everyday technical problems that stop people using their computers, networks and software.
Median pay$87,700
Network Engineer
Network engineers design, build and maintain the networks that carry an organisation's data, and they are the people called when a connection drops or slows down.
Median pay$120,100
Systems Administrator
Systems administrators keep an organisation's servers, networks and cloud accounts running so the rest of the business can get on with its work.
Median pay$128,000
If you study further
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $1,740
at TAFE NSW. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$6,000 to $9,220
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee | How long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,740 | $240 | $9,220 | 4 to 12 months |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $4,116 | $824 | $7,546 | |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,876 | $775 | $7,446 | |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $2,200 | $440 | $6,000 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $4,245 | $848 | $7,277 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $3,265 | $2,150 | $6,625 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Subsidised
- $1,740
- Concession
- $240
- Full fee
- $9,220
- How long
- 4 to 12 months
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,116
- Concession
- $824
- Full fee
- $7,546
GOTAFEVIC
- Subsidised
- $3,876
- Concession
- $775
- Full fee
- $7,446
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $2,200
- Concession
- $440
- Full fee
- $6,000
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $4,245
- Concession
- $848
- Full fee
- $7,277
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $3,265
- Concession
- $2,150
- Full fee
- $6,625
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 32 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Website for Melbourne Polytechnic (opens in a new tab)
Melbourne Polytechnic
13 campuses, VIC
3.7from 485 Google reviews
What students like
- Some teachers are supportive and go out of their way
- Student services offer understanding and compassion
What to weigh up
- Messages to staff can go unanswered
- Enrolment mistakes can take time to fix
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
13 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- How long
- 4 to 12 months
- Fee
- From $1,740 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
- Website for Victoria University (opens in a new tab)
Victoria University
11 campuses, NSW, QLD, VIC
3.9from 1,562 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly, supportive and approachable
- Studying one subject at a time through the block model
- Staff are welcoming and ready to help
What to weigh up
- Admin can be hard to reach after you finish
- Website for Charles Darwin University (opens in a new tab)
Charles Darwin University
12 campuses, NSW, NT
4.2from 619 Google reviews
What students like
- Admin and support staff are helpful
What to weigh up
- Units vary depending on the lecturer
- Feedback on assessments can vary
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
- Website for TAFE Gippsland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Gippsland
11 campuses, VIC
3.9from 113 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable and care about learning
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
9 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $3,265 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
What you’ll learn
12 units: 6 that everyone takes and 6 you choose.
- IT support and troubleshooting
- Introductory programming
- Networking and systems basics
- Privacy and copyright in IT
- Handling personal information securely
- Advising and helping clients
See all 6 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
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Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It prepares you for paid work in IT support and related fields, including animation, basic cloud computing, basic cyber awareness, digital media skills, networking, programming, systems and web development. You work with broad skills and foundational critical thinking and customer service to support technologies, processes and clients.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
This qualification has no entry requirements. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
How is it different from Certificate IV in Information Technology?
Certificate IV in Information Technology is the higher level. This Certificate III is a starting point for paid work in IT support, covering troubleshooting and maintaining workplace technology and explaining technical problems to users.