Information technology courses
Information technology covers a lot of ground, from keeping a workplace's computers and networks running to writing software and defending systems from attack. The certificate is the quickest way in. The degrees take longer and open up more specialised work.
- Quickest way to start
- 4 months
- Certificate IV, full time at TAFE NSW
- TAFE cost from
- $1,740
- subsidised Certificate III, TAFE NSW
- What the jobs pay
- $80,600 to $91,000
- median pay across 2 jobs, some estimated
- Demand
- 1 of 2 jobs
- are on the national shortage list
Which course do you need?
It depends on the job you want.
Certificate IV in Information Technology
Start work in IT support
Install, monitor and maintain the servers, storage and network equipment in a data centre, and track down faults when something fails.
Median pay$91,000 (estimate)
- How long it takes
- 4 to 12 months full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- $1,980 at TAFE NSW if you're eligible for a subsidised place, or $10,600 full fee
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or on the job
How much it costs at TAFE
If you're eligible for a government-subsidised place, you pay much less than the full fee, and in some states these courses can be free. Here's what each TAFE lists.
| TAFE | State | Certificate III | Certificate IV | Diploma | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | Subsidised | Full fee | ||
| TAFE NSW | NSW | $1,740 | $9,220 | $1,980 | $10,600 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $4,116 | $7,546 | $2,288 | $7,538 | $11,554 | $18,094 |
| GOTAFE | VIC | $3,876 | $7,446 | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Holmesglen Institute | VIC | $2,200 | $6,000 | $4,217 | $10,605 | $7,719 | $13,857 |
| The Gordon | VIC | $4,245 | $7,277 | $4,700 | $13,720 | Not listed | Not listed |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $3,265 | $6,625 | Not listed | Not listed | $4,520 | $8,240 |
TAFE NSWNSW
- Certificate III
- $1,740 subsidised
- $9,220 full fee
- Certificate IV
- $1,980 subsidised
- $10,600 full fee
- Diploma
- Not listed
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Certificate III
- $4,116 subsidised
- $7,546 full fee
- Certificate IV
- $2,288 subsidised
- $7,538 full fee
- Diploma
- $11,554 subsidised
- $18,094 full fee
GOTAFEVIC
- Certificate III
- $3,876 subsidised
- $7,446 full fee
- Certificate IV
- Not listed
- Diploma
- Not listed
Holmesglen InstituteVIC
- Certificate III
- $2,200 subsidised
- $6,000 full fee
- Certificate IV
- $4,217 subsidised
- $10,605 full fee
- Diploma
- $7,719 subsidised
- $13,857 full fee
The GordonVIC
- Certificate III
- $4,245 subsidised
- $7,277 full fee
- Certificate IV
- $4,700 subsidised
- $13,720 full fee
- Diploma
- Not listed
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Certificate III
- $3,265 subsidised
- $6,625 full fee
- Certificate IV
- Not listed
- Diploma
- $4,520 subsidised
- $8,240 full fee
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, checked 20 September 2026. “Not listed” means the TAFE doesn't show that fee online. Private colleges set their own fees.
Other university courses
- Bachelor of Information Technology2 to 3 years. A broad degree covering programming, networks, security and databases, often with a chosen focus such as software development or cyber security.
Can help with: it operations manager, systems administrator, cloud engineer
- Graduate Certificate in Information Technology6 months. A short postgraduate course in programming, information systems and networks, for people new to computing or already working in the field.
Can help with: network engineer
- Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology6 months. Foundations in coding, data storage and networks, often leading into a bachelor degree with credit for the units you complete.
- Diploma in Information Technology1 year. Introduces how software and computer systems are built and maintained, and often works as a bridge into a related degree.
- Bachelor of Digital Business3 years. For work where business and technology meet, covering digital tools, new business models and customer experience.
Can help with: customer experience manager, product manager, technology sales representative
- Bachelor of Information Technology (Co-op)3 years. An IT degree with a supervised paid placement in industry, so you build workplace experience alongside your study.
- Bachelor of Information and Communications Technology3 years. A broad computing degree with room to lean towards software, cyber security or web development, using projects that mimic workplace tasks.
- Associate Degree in Information Technology15 to 24 months. Project based study in programming, databases, networks, cloud systems and security, practised through client style projects.
- Associate Degree of Information Technology15 to 24 months. A practical grounding in cloud technology, databases, cyber security and analytics, applied through team and client projects.
Can help with: it support officer, systems administrator
- Bachelor of Information Technology (Cybersecurity)3 years. Core IT study in programming, networks and databases, then a cybersecurity specialism, with an industry placement built in.
Can help with: cyber security engineer
- Bachelor of Information Technology (Professional)3.5 to 4 years. IT study with a period of industry placement included, and room to choose a specialty within the field.
- Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Development)3 years. For building software, covering several programming languages, how to design and test programs, and how teams run software projects.
Can help with: back end developer, front end developer, full stack developer
- Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology3 years. Covers the technology behind networks, websites, apps and databases, with a specialty such as networking or programming and some work placement.
Can help with: network engineer, network architect
Other certificates and diplomas
- Certificate III in Information Technology4 to 12 months. A starting point for IT support work that assumes no experience, covering troubleshooting, privacy and working as part of a support team.
Can help with: it support officer, network engineer, systems administrator
- Diploma of Information Technology6 to 12 months. For a specialised technical focus, with room to move into networking, programming, cloud, cyber security, data or web development.
Can help with: cyber security analyst, it service delivery manager, solutions architect
Jobs you can do with this study
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Data Centre TechnicianWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$91,000 (estimate)In demand
Web AdministratorWhat you needCertificate IVMedian pay$80,600 (estimate)
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
Answer a few quick questions about your time, state and budget, and we'll show the courses that suit you.