Advanced Diploma of Information Technology

The Advanced Diploma of Information Technology is a two-year qualification for people who want practical, job-ready IT skills. It sits at the diploma/advanced diploma level of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which means it is a vocational qualification rather than a university degree. You study units of study, each worth credit points, and the course is typically delivered over four or six study periods across two years. The exact unit list and credit point values are set by the provider, so check the official course page for the current structure.

What you actually study depends on the specialisation you choose. Common streams include networking, programming, cybersecurity, web development, systems administration and IT support. Assessment is usually a mix of practical tasks, projects, written assignments and exams. Many advanced diplomas include a capstone-style project where you work in a team to solve a real or simulated business problem, and some providers include a work placement or industry project. Work-integrated learning is common in this field because employers want to see what you can do, not just what you know.

The skills you pick up are the ones IT employers ask for: configuring networks and servers, writing and testing code, securing systems, troubleshooting hardware and software, working with databases, and documenting and presenting technical solutions. You also learn to work in teams, manage small projects, and follow workplace health and safety and professional standards. The course suits school leavers who want a practical qualification without a three-year degree, career changers moving into IT, and people already working in tech who want a formal Australian qualification to support a promotion or a visa application.

If you are an international student, you will need to meet the English requirement published for this course. The common standard for coursework programs is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with equivalents accepted such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or the provider’s own English programmes. The Department of Home Affairs also sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so check both. While studying, a Student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during the term and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work in Australia, depending on your eligibility. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and the course code is 117574A. Confirm all details, including fees, intake dates and unit structure, on the official page before you apply.

• ICT support technician, help desk and desktop support roles in banks, hospitals, government agencies and managed service providers.
• Network administrator, maintaining and troubleshooting networks for small and mid-sized organisations, often in education, retail or local government.
• Junior developer or programmer, building and testing applications in software companies, digital agencies or in-house IT teams.
• Cybersecurity analyst (entry level), monitoring systems and responding to incidents in finance, insurance, defence contractors and IT security firms.
• Web developer, front-end and back-end work for agencies, e-commerce businesses and startups.
• Systems administrator, managing servers, user accounts and backups for organisations that run their own infrastructure.
• Database administrator (junior), supporting data storage and reporting in government, health and logistics.
• IT project coordinator, assisting with schedules, budgets and documentation on technology projects.

Australian industries that hire advanced diploma IT graduates include professional services, government, healthcare, education, finance, retail, telecommunications and managed IT services. Some roles may require additional vendor certifications or a degree for advancement, and some employers sponsor further training. Check the official course page and the CRICOS register for the most current information on this qualification.