Advanced Diploma of Information Technology

The Advanced Diploma of Information Technology at Griffin College is a two-year qualification for people who want practical IT skills and a recognised Australian credential. It sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, so it's a step below a bachelor degree but a real, standalone qualification in its own right. You'll study information systems: how organisations use technology to store, move and make sense of data, and how to keep that technology working. Expect hands-on work with networks, databases, software and support, rather than pure theory.

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over four semesters across two years, or in trimesters at some colleges. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to pass all the required units to graduate. Delivery is typically face-to-face with some online components, and assessment is a mix of practical tasks, projects and exams. Because this is a vocational qualification, the emphasis is on doing the work, not just reading about it. Many IT diplomas include a work placement or industry project, so you finish with something for your portfolio and a referee who has seen you work.

You'll come out with skills employers actually ask for: setting up and troubleshooting networks, writing and querying databases, supporting users, and understanding cyber security basics. You'll also learn to document your work and explain technical problems to non-technical people, which is half the job in IT support and systems administration.

This course suits school leavers who want a faster, more practical route into IT than a three-year degree, career changers who need formal qualifications, and international students looking for an Australian qualification with a pathway to further study. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after you finish. English requirements are set by the college and by the Department of Home Affairs for the visa, so check both. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 105200H. Always confirm the latest details on the official Griffin College page or the CRICOS listing before you apply.

• IT support officer or help desk analyst in managed service providers, government departments and large organisations
• Network support technician maintaining and troubleshooting LANs and internet connections
• Database administrator or junior data analyst working with SQL and reporting tools
• Systems administrator keeping servers, backups and user accounts running
• Junior cyber security analyst monitoring networks and responding to incidents
• Web or applications support roles in digital agencies and software companies

These roles are in demand across Australia's finance, health, education, retail and government sectors. The diploma also gives you credit towards further study, such as a bachelor degree in information technology, if you decide to go on.