Diploma of Information Technology

The Diploma of Information Technology at Nexgen Institute of Australia is a one-and-a-half-year qualification for people who want practical IT skills without committing to a full degree. You study the fundamentals of information systems: how organisations store, move and secure data, how networks are put together, and how software and hardware support day-to-day business operations. Expect hands-on work in computer labs, group projects and assessment tasks that mirror what happens in an Australian IT team.

How the course is structured

Australian diplomas are usually delivered over two or three study periods a year, and this one runs for 1.5 years. You enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to pass the required units to graduate. Some units build directly on earlier ones, so the order you take them in matters. Assessment is a mix of practical tasks, written work and team projects rather than one big final exam. Confirm the exact unit list, study periods and credit points on the official CRICOS register entry and the institute's own course page, because those details are the ones that count.

What you actually learn

You finish with skills employers ask for at entry level: setting up and troubleshooting systems, working with databases, supporting networks, applying basic security practices, and documenting technical work clearly. You also practise the soft skills that keep IT projects moving, explaining technical problems to non-technical people, working in a team, and managing your own deadlines. The course sits at diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it is a recognised qualification in its own right and a pathway into further study. Many graduates use it to enter a bachelor degree with credit for some units, though how much credit you receive depends on the receiving institution.

Who it suits

This diploma suits school leavers who want a practical start in IT, career changers moving into technology support or systems work, and international students looking for an Australian qualification that can lead to further study. It also works for people already in a junior IT role who want formal recognition of what they can do. If your goal is professional registration in a licensed field, this is not that kind of course, it is an information systems qualification, not a pathway to a regulated profession.

Studying in Australia as an international student

International applicants need to meet English requirements. For this diploma, an IELTS Academic overall score in the 6.0–6.5 range is the usual standard, and TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced or the institute's own English programmes may be accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa, so check both. Once you are studying, your visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available if you meet the requirements, confirm your eligibility with the Department of Home Affairs. Tuition fees for this course are published on the CRICOS register; check the official page for the current figures.

• ICT support technician, help desk and desktop support roles in banks, hospitals, government agencies and managed service providers.
• Network support officer, assisting with network setup, monitoring and troubleshooting for small and mid-sized organisations.
• Database administrator (entry level), maintaining data, running backups and supporting reporting in businesses that rely on records.
• Systems administrator assistant, looking after servers, user accounts and basic security across an organisation's IT environment.
• Web or applications support officer, keeping websites and internal tools running, and helping staff use them.
• IT retail and field service roles, hardware and software support in retail chains, education providers and technology resellers.

Australian employers in these areas include federal and state government departments, banks and insurers, healthcare providers, universities, mining and logistics companies, and the many IT service firms that support them. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in information technology or information systems, where you may be able to get credit for some units.