How to become an IT specialist in Australia + salary & job types

Australia needs 650,000 additional tech workers by 2040 to hit the government’s ambitious goal of 1.2 million total tech jobs. That’s creating unprecedented opportunities for anyone willing to learn IT skills right now, regardless of your current background or qualifications.

The country’s technology workforce already hit one million in 2024 after growing by 60% since 2014, yet employers still can’t find enough qualified specialists to fill their positions. Cybersecurity demand alone is set to double by 2030, leaving massive gaps for newcomers who can protect systems from increasingly sophisticated threats.

Fortunately, you don’t need a university degree to grab your share of these high-paying, secure positions. Vocational qualifications through providers like Monarch Institute get you job ready in as few as 12 months, teaching you practical skills that Australian employers desperately require.

What does an IT specialist do?

An information technology specialist troubleshoots technical problems, maintains computer systems and protects networks from security threats across businesses of all sizes. When someone’s computer crashes right before an important presentation, when the company network goes down mysteriously or when hackers try breaking into sensitive customer databases, IT specialists are the ones who fix everything behind the scenes.

Their duties and responsibilities change depending on where they work and what systems they manage. The role of an IT engineer is as specific as that of any other engineer, as the daily life of a solo IT specialist working at a 20-person accounting firm is going to be very different from someone working on a massive government department’s cybersecurity team.

Here’s how IT specialist work changes depending on the environment:

Essential skills and qualities for IT specialists

To succeed as an IT specialist in Australia, you’ll need to master some technical tools while also knowing how to explain tech problems to people who think “the cloud” refers to the weather. You’ll spend half your time fixing broken systems and the other half convincing frustrated colleagues that their simple request will actually take three weeks to implement safely. 

Here’s what you’ll need if you hope to become an IT specialist in Australia:

• Technical fundamentals you can’t skip: You’ll need solid networking knowledge, comfort working across Windows and OS systems, basic coding skills in Python or JavaScript, familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure and cybersecurity awareness that keeps hackers out. Nobody expects you to know everything immediately, but you should pick up new tools fast when projects demand them.

• Communication that doesn’t make people’s eyes glaze over: You’ll translate complicated tech jargon to people who don’t really get it. You’ll write documentation for other tech specialists and walk the non-technical staff through troubleshooting without sighing dramatically when they ask the same question twice. 

• Staying calm when everything’s on fire: Systems crash at the worst possible moments and everyone will panic whilst you’re the one who needs to think clearly. You’ll juggle multiple emergencies at the same time, learn unfamiliar systems under pressure and implement solutions without having all the information you’d ideally want.

• Genuine curiosity to drive you forward: IT isn’t always the most exciting or glamorous job, so you need to be interested enough to keep learning. Over 90% of employment growth in the next decade will be in jobs needing post-secondary qualifications, so it will pay to be interested enough in the industry to keep getting new certifications and levelling up.

How to become an IT specialist without a degree

University isn’t the only path into IT careers and increasingly it’s not even the best path for most people. Vocational qualifications get you job-ready faster, cost a fraction of a university degree and teach you the practical skills you need to join the workforce ASAP. Australian employment for digital workers is projected to jump to 13.9% by 2030, creating massive demand for IT specialists who can solve real problems regardless of whether they learned those skills in a lecture hall or through hands-on training.

1. Choose your IT career path

IT specialist is a broad term covering dozens of different specialisations, each requiring different skills and attracting different personality types. You should study information technology based on what genuinely interests you rather than just chasing the highest salaries, because you’ll be learning constantly throughout your career and that’s much easier when you really care about the subject matter.

These are the most common ways to become an IT specialist in Australia:

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2. Get the right IT education or training

A career in IT could be yours through two main paths: traditional university degrees or vocational qualifications through providers like Monarch Institute. University takes three to four years, costs thousands in HECS debt and teaches broad theoretical knowledge. Vocational training gets you ready to work in 12–30 months, costs less and focuses specifically on practical skills that employers need right away.

Here’s why vocational training makes sense if you’re wondering how to become an IT specialist:

• Learn around your current life: Monarch’s completely online, self-paced delivery means you study whenever suits your schedule. Keep your current job whilst building IT skills gradually or smash through the content quickly if you’re ready to switch careers fast.

• Nationally recognised qualifications employers respect: Monarch Institute delivers government-approved qualifications that meet national training standards. Nearly nine in 10 students who finished their qualification achieved their main training goal and were satisfied with their training, which shows that vocational pathways really work for most people.

• Project-based learning that mirrors real work: You’ll build websites, configure networks in virtual labs and solve technical problems rather than just memorising theories for exams. This hands-on approach means you graduate with portfolio pieces that prove your capabilities to sceptical employers.

• Affordable compared to university: Vocational qualifications cost a fraction of university fees whilst getting you earning faster. You’ll start contributing to your field sooner than spending years in lecture halls before earning your first pay cheque.

Monarch Institute IT courses

Monarch offers several IT qualifications depending on your current skill level and career goals. All courses run entirely online with self-paced progression, letting you speed through familiar content whilst spending more time on challenging new concepts. These are the best Monarch courses if you’re trying to become an IT specialist:

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3. Build hands-on IT experience

Qualifications prove you’ve learned the theory but employers want evidence you can apply that knowledge to messy real-world problems. Start building your experience before you’ve even finished studying, grabbing every opportunity to work on technical projects that prove your growing capabilities.

Try these ways to gain practical experience whilst studying:

• Volunteer your emerging IT skills: Local nonprofits, community organisations and small businesses desperately need technical help but can’t afford professional rates. Offer to build their website or troubleshoot their systems whilst you’re learning. You’ll gain experience while fixing real problems. Plus, you’ll make some professional references who can vouch for your work ethic.

• Take freelance gigs on your own terms: Platforms like Upwork and Airtasker let you bid on small IT projects that match your current skill level. Start with basic tasks like WordPress customisation or computer repairs, gradually taking on more complex jobs as your confidence grows.

• Create portfolio projects that show off your skills: Build functioning websites, develop small applications or document how you’d secure a hypothetical company’s network. Host your code on GitHub where potential employers can see your work and your progression over time.

• Practice in Monarch’s virtual lab: Monarch’s eduLAB simulations let you configure networks, troubleshoot systems and practice cybersecurity responses without putting real infrastructures at risk. You’ll make mistakes safely whilst building muscle memory for technical procedures.

4. Gain industry-recognised certifications

Certifications from companies like CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft and AWS validate your skills to employers who might otherwise doubt your vocational qualification. These vendor-neutral or vendor-specific credentials prove you’ve mastered particular technologies to internationally recognised standards, which matters enormously when you’re competing against university graduates for the same positions.

Monarch’s diploma content aligns with major certification exams, meaning you’re already learning the material you’ll need to pass these valuable credentials. Many students sit certification exams during or immediately after finishing their diplomas whilst the knowledge is fresh. These are the most effective certifications for IT specialists in Australia:

5. Develop professional and career skills

Technical abilities get you hired but professional skills determine how far you’ll advance once you’re working. You’ll need to communicate clearly with people who don’t understand technology, build a professional reputation that opens doors and connect with the broader IT community that shares knowledge and job opportunities.

Start building your professional presence whilst you’re still studying. Create a LinkedIn profile highlighting your growing skills and projects you’ve completed. Write posts about what you’re learning or problems you’ve solved, positioning yourself as someone who thinks deeply about technology rather than just following tutorials mindlessly.

How long does it take to become an IT specialist?

Your timeline to becoming job-ready in IT depends entirely on which pathway you choose and how much time you can dedicate to learning each week. Someone studying full-time through a vocational diploma might land their first IT role within 12 months, whilst someone juggling study around a full-time job could take two to three years to reach the same point.

The beauty of modern IT training is that you control the pace rather than being locked into rigid semester schedules. These are your paths to becoming an IT specialist:

IT specialist salaries and job outlook in Australia

IT specialists in Australia enjoy some of the strongest job security and salary growth across any industry. The IT sector pumped $124 billion into the Australian economy during FY23, whilst tech exports have exploded by 400% over the past decade. This massive growth creates constant demand for skilled workers who can build, secure and maintain the digital systems that modern businesses depend on.

Kate Pounder, CEO of the Tech Council of Australia, puts it bluntly: “These jobs are critical to Australia's future. They are amongst the fastest-growing, best-paid, most secure and most flexible jobs in Australia.” The country’s tech workers already surpassed one million workers in 2024 and yet employers still can’t find enough qualified specialists.

Your earning potential varies based on your specialisation and experience level:

FAQs about becoming an IT specialist

How do I become an IT specialist in Australia?

• The easiest way to become an IT specialist in Australia is to get accredited in vocational IT qualifications such as the ones offered at Monarch Institute. 

• Then, gain hands-on experience through projects and then pursue industry certifications that validate your skills.

Is IT specialist a stressful job?

IT work can be stressful when systems crash or deadlines loom, but many specialists thrive on problem-solving challenges. Stress levels vary depending on your workplace, specialisation and your company culture. Want to avoid stress? Check out these low stress high paid careers.

Can I become an IT specialist without a degree?

Yes you can become an IT specialist without a degree. Vocational qualifications, industry certifications and hands-on project experience can land you IT roles without university degrees. 

How long does it take to become an IT specialist?

Between 12 and 30 months through vocational diplomas or 6–18 months for a Certificate IV in Information Technology.

Which Monarch course is right for me?

A Certificate IV in Information Technology suits complete beginners wanting entry-level roles. A Diploma of Information Technology builds broader skills for mid-level positions.

What kind of IT jobs can I get with these courses?

IT support specialist, help desk technician, network administrator, cybersecurity analyst, web developer, systems administrator or junior programmer depending on which qualification and specialisation you complete.

Are IT specialists in demand in Australia?

Yes, IT specialists are extremely in demand in Australia. The Australian tech workforce surpassed one million in 2024 yet employers still struggle to find qualified specialists.

Stop scrolling job ads and start building IT skills

You’ve read enough about IT careers. Now it’s time to actually do something about breaking into this high-paying, fast-growing industry. Monarch Institute’s flexible online courses let you build technical skills around your current life, whether you’re working full-time or managing family responsibilities.

Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Explore Monarch Institute’s Information Technology Courses or speak with a course adviser who’ll help you pick the right path today.

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