Study information technology (IT) courses in Australia for PR

The main reasons why students choose to study IT courses in Australia are:

• Affordable study options are available through institutions such as TAFE, which offer lower tuition fees compared to universities.

• Most IT degrees are accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), providing competitive job opportunities for IT graduates globally.

• After graduation, international students are eligible for post-study work visa rights, allowing skilled individuals to live, work, & study for up to 3 years.

• International graduates are eligible for Professional Year Programs, which help them join the Australian workforce and earn 5 points toward a PR visa application.

• Some IT occupations are listed in the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which offers a PR pathway through several visas: Skills in Demand 482, Employer-sponsored scheme 186, or Skilled Migration (189 visa, 190 visa, 491 visa).

• IT professionals are high earners in Australia, with average annual salaries ranging from $90,000 to $105,000 AUD.

• Certificate III in Information Technology
• Certificate IV in Information Technology
• Diploma of Information Technology
• Advanced Diploma of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Master of Information Technology

• Systems administration support
• Advanced networking, cloud architecture
• Database and data management
• Data engineering
• ICT business analysis
• Cyber security
• Software engineering
• System analysis
• Programming & development

Let's thoroughly dissect and understand the requirements for enrolling in IT courses:

Academic requirements for IT courses

For certificate/diploma/bachelor's degree:

• Completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent (strong performance in Mathematics and English).

For graduate diploma/master's degree:

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, CS, or a related field with a competitive GPA.
• Some universities may require a CV, letters of recommendation, and work experience certificates.

English language requirements for IT courses

The English proficiency requirements depend on the university and course types.

• IELTS: Overall, 6.5 in IELTS with no band less than 6.0
• TOEFL (iBT): minimum overall score of 79
• PTE (A): minimum score of 58 with no band less than 50

Additional requirements for IT courses

• Offer letter from your chosen institution and university.
• Proof of funds to cover your tuition fees and other living expenses.
• Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• All other supporting documents as listed on the Department of Home Affairs checklists.

The tuition fees for IT courses vary depending on the course and institution, but generally:

Here is a list of some of the best IT positions you can grab after completing an IT degree in Australia:

Occupations on the MLTSSL change frequently. For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs for the most up-to-date listing.

The Professional Year Program is a job-ready program developed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). It is designed for international students who have recently graduated from Australian institutions and are looking to start their careers in the Australian tech industry.

The Professional Year Program is a 44-week course that includes 32 weeks of classroom-based work-readiness training and 12 weeks of local internship. After completing this course, international students will gain 5 points towards their skilled visa application for permanent residency.

Click this link to learn more about the Professional Year Program.

ICT occupations are listed on both the Medium and Long-Term Skilled Occupation List (MLTSSL) and the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Occupations featured in this list may offer direct PR pathways through several skilled migration visas.

While there are some occupations listed as "Shortage", such as cyber security engineer, etc., IT has become highly saturated in Australia, as most of the IT-related occupations are listed as "No Shortage" in Jobs and Skills Australia. But if students want to study IT not just for PR but because of their passion. They should do so.

After graduation, international students can get a temporary graduate 485 visa, which allows them to live, study, and work in Australia for 2 to 3 years, depending on their qualifications. Students may be eligible for the Professional Year Program (PYP), which is an opportunity to join the Australian Tech Industry and gives an additional 5 PR points upon graduation.

Before applying for a PR visa, you must get a skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS). After getting positive results and meeting the qualifications and other requirements, you are eligible to apply for PR visas such as:

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
• Skilled Independent (subclass 189) - Points-Tested
• Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated
• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• Training visa (subclass 407)
• Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) – Graduate Work

Choosing the right IT courses is the first step towards a successful career in Australia's thriving technology sector. At Search Education, we're committed to helping you make the right decisions with expert advice and personalised support.

• 10+ years of experience – Helping international students achieve their education and migration goals in Australia.

• MARA-registered expertise – Receive trusted guidance from our MARA-registered migration agent with in-depth knowledge of Australian immigration policies and student visa pathways.

• Trusted by students worldwide – We've proudly supported hundreds of students from Nepal, India, Chile, the Philippines, Australia, and many other countries.

• End-to-end support – From selecting the right IT courses and institution to admissions and visa applications, we're with you every step of the way.

Book a consultation today and let Search Education help you build a successful future in Australia's technology industry.