Diploma of Information Technology

The Diploma of Information Technology at the Australian College of Business Intelligence is a 1.5-year qualification for people who want practical IT skills without committing to a full degree. You will study core areas such as programming, networking, database design, systems analysis and web development, along with the professional communication and problem-solving habits that IT teams expect. Assessment is a mix of hands-on tasks, projects and written work rather than exams alone, so you build a portfolio you can show an employer.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are made up of units of study, each with a set credit point value. At this level, a full-time load is usually four units per semester, with two main study periods a year and a shorter summer or trimester option at some providers. The Diploma of Information Technology sits at Level 5 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is shorter and more applied than a bachelor degree but more substantial than a certificate. You will typically complete a capstone-style project in your final semester, where you scope, build and present an IT solution. Some providers include a work placement or industry project, so check the official course page for the current structure.

What you will learn

Graduates come out able to write and test basic code, design and query a database, configure a small network, and document a system so someone else can maintain it. You also learn to work in a team, gather requirements from a client, and explain technical ideas in plain language. Those soft skills matter as much as the technical ones in entry-level IT roles.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a faster route into work, career changers with no formal IT background, and international students who want an Australian qualification before deciding whether to continue to a bachelor degree. It can also be a pathway: many universities give credit for diploma study, so you may enter the second year of a related degree. English requirements for international applicants are typically IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall or an accepted equivalent such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic or Cambridge C1 Advanced. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm all details on the official course page before applying.

• IT support officer or help desk technician in managed service providers, government departments and large organisations
• Junior developer or programmer in software houses, startups and in-house IT teams
• Network support technician maintaining LANs, Wi-Fi and basic security for small and mid-sized businesses
• Database administrator assistant or data entry/reporting officer
• Web developer building and updating sites for agencies, retailers and not-for-profits
• Systems analyst assistant or business analyst support role
• Further study pathway into a bachelor degree in information technology or computer science, with credit for prior study at the discretion of the receiving university

International graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia after completing your course. While studying, a student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during term. Check the Department of Home Affairs website for current visa rules.