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Study Computer Programming

Potential Career Outcomes

Course overview

ICT professionals work in a wide range of industries as their skills are highly sough after. They find resolutions to technical problem and provide support for the maintenance of computer infrastructure and web technology. Technicians in this field commonly perform tasks such as: responding to software and hardware enquires, installing and downloading software, designing web sites, implementing computer networks and repairing hardware.

In Australia, there are many courses you can take to start your career in this field. Australia offers courses both at the vocational training level across to higher education. In these courses you will be exposed to topics such as:

  • System and Network Security
  • Troubleshoot enterprise routers and switches
  • ICT Systems Security Controls
  • Install complex ICT networks
  • Build Java applets
  • Programming
  • Use network tools
  • Build a dynamic website
  • Design e-learning resources

Graduate Outcomes

  • Individuals in this field can earn on average $1,498 per week.
  • The number of people working in this field is expected to grow strongly over the next 5 years.
  • It is projected that over the next 5 years there will be around 62,000 job openings.
  • Most people in the field work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services; Education and Training; and Public Administration and Safety industry.

Common Course Requirements

  • Completion of secondary education
  • Meet English proficiency (Usually at least IELTS 5.5 overall).

Related Courses

  • Certificate III in Information, Digital Media and Technology

Duration:  13 to 58 weeks
Intake: Monthly
Cost: $3,250 to $12,000

Locations:  Most cities across Australia

  • Certificate IV in Programming

Duration: 45 to 52 weeks

Intake: 4 Terms

Cost: $9,500 to $36,000

Locations: Most cities across Australia

  • Diploma of Information Technology

Duration: 35 to 104 weeks

Intake: 4 Terms

Cost: $8,000 to $59,400

Locations: Most cities across Australia

Studying Computer Programming in Australia: What the Course Covers

Computer programming courses teach you how to design, write, test and maintain software. You learn at least one or two programming languages (commonly Python, Java, C# or JavaScript), plus object oriented programming, data structures, databases and SQL, web development, version control with Git, testing and debugging, and the basics of networking and cyber security. Most courses use practical projects so you build working applications, and many include an industry project or work placement in the final term.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate III in Information Technology AQF 3 IT support and entry level technical roles
Certificate IV in Information Technology (Programming) AQF 4 Junior programming and web development roles
Diploma of Information Technology AQF 5 Programmer, web developer and support roles, often with a programming or software specialisation
Advanced Diploma of Information Technology AQF 6 Senior technical and team lead roles
Bachelor of Computer Science or Information Technology AQF 7 Software engineer and developer programmer roles, and the usual level for an ICT skills assessment

Study Pathways

A popular route is a Certificate IV or Diploma of Information Technology followed by a bachelor degree in computer science, software engineering or IT, often with credit for the diploma. If you already have a degree in an unrelated field, a master’s degree in IT or computer science is a common conversion pathway. Keep in mind that ICT skills assessments look closely at how relevant your qualification is to the occupation, and qualifications below bachelor level usually need more work experience to be assessed positively.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
ICT Support Technicians nec 313199 Yes STSOL
ICT Customer Support Officer 313112 Yes STSOL
Web Administrator 313113 Yes STSOL
Developer Programmer 261312 Yes MLTSSL
Software Engineer 261313 Yes MLTSSL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for programmers and ICT support roles.

Career Outlook

Programming skills are used in almost every industry, from finance, government and health to retail, education and start ups. Entry level roles include junior developer, web developer, IT support and software tester, and with experience you can move into software engineering, solution architecture or team leadership. The job market rewards practical skills, so a portfolio of projects, contributions to open source code and internships can make a real difference when you graduate.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Computer Programming

If you already hold an IT degree, explain why a programming certificate or diploma is the right next step rather than a repeat of earlier study, because that is a common reason for refusals under the Genuine Student test. Current English, financial capacity and work rules are on our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Computer Programming Study FAQs

Yes. As at October 2026, Developer Programmer (261312) and Software Engineer (261313) are on both the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the MLTSSL. Support level occupations such as ICT Support Technicians nec, ICT Customer Support Officer and Web Administrator are on the CSOL and the STSOL.

Possibly. The 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires an MLTSSL occupation that is closely related to your qualification and a positive skills assessment. Developer Programmer and Software Engineer are on the MLTSSL, but ICT skills assessments generally expect a bachelor level qualification or extra work experience, so get advice before relying on a diploma for this pathway.

Most courses start with one general language such as Python or Java and then introduce web technologies like JavaScript. Employers care more about your problem solving and the projects you have built than about a single language, so focus on learning the fundamentals well.

Look for internships, part time IT support or junior developer roles, hackathons and industry projects offered by your provider. Contributing to open source projects and publishing your own apps also gives employers something concrete to look at. Paid work must stay within your student visa work limit.

Related guides

Am I eligible for a Student visa? Student Visa Funds Calculator Study a Trade Course Assessment Study a Uni Course Assessment

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