Diploma of Information Technology

The Diploma of Information Technology is a one-year qualification for people who want a grounding in IT that gets them into work or into further study. You'll cover the basics that employers actually ask for: programming, networking, databases, web development, and how systems fit together in an organisation. The focus is on information systems, the part of IT that sits between the technology and the business using it. So you'll spend time on things like analysing what a business needs from its systems, working with data, and supporting the people who use those systems every day.

How the course is structured

As a diploma, this sits at level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. That's below a bachelor degree, and it's a practical, hands-on qualification rather than a theoretical one. You'll study full time over one year, usually across two semesters or trimesters. The course is made up of units of study, each with a set number of credit points. You need to pass all the required units to graduate. Assessment is a mix of exams, assignments, and practical work, the kind of tasks you'd actually do on the job, like setting up a small network or building a simple database.

What you'll learn

By the end, you should be able to write basic code, design and query a database, troubleshoot network problems, and explain how information systems support an organisation's goals. You'll also pick up the soft skills that matter in IT: documenting your work, working in a team, and talking to non-technical people about technical problems. The diploma doesn't include a capstone project or a research thesis, those are features of degrees and higher qualifications. Work-integrated learning or placement isn't a standard part of this diploma, though some providers build in industry projects. Check the official course page for the exact units and any placement options.

Who it's for

This course suits school leavers who want a fast route into an IT job, career changers with no formal tech background, and people already working in IT who want a recognised Australian qualification to move up. It's also a common pathway into a bachelor degree, many universities give credit for diploma study, so you can start in the second year of a related degree. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet the English requirement. The published standard for courses like this is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, or an equivalent like TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, which may be different. While you study, your visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Tuition fees are listed on the CRICOS register, check there and on the official page for the current amount and intake dates.

• IT support officer
• Help desk technician
• Network support assistant
• Junior web developer
• Database assistant
• Systems administrator (entry level)
• IT sales or customer support

These roles are found across almost every Australian industry, government, banking, health, education, retail, and mining, anywhere an organisation runs computer systems. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, like a bachelor degree in information technology or information systems, with credit for your diploma units.