Diploma of Information Technology
ICT - Information and Communications Technology
Diploma-level IT qualification with electives in software development, front-end web, cybersecurity, data analytics, networking and game development.
Entry requirements
- Year 12 or Cert IV in IT
What you will learn
The ICT50220 is the broad ICT diploma with elective streams tailored to software development, front-end web, networking, cybersecurity, data analytics, gaming and systems administration. Core units include working in the ICT industry, applying critical thinking, designing user experience solutions, managing ICT projects, and developing the technical specifications for a chosen specialisation. Software streams cover OOP fundamentals (Python, Java, C#), front-end frameworks (React, Vue), version control (Git), API design and testing. Networking streams cover Cisco-aligned routing, switching and security topics. Data streams cover SQL, Power BI and data visualisation.
Skills you build
- Object-oriented programming in Python, Java or C#
- Front-end web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React)
- SQL and database design fundamentals
- Version control with Git and GitHub
- REST API design and consumption
- Software testing (unit, integration)
- ICT project management basics (Scrum)
How the course runs
Most students study full-time over 12 to 18 months or online over up to 24 months. Around 900 to 1,200 hours of formal training, with theory and lab practice split roughly 30/70. Heavy use of virtual lab environments, IDEs (VS Code, IntelliJ) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure free tiers). Many students complete capstone projects with real or simulated clients. Industry certifications often align with the qualification.
How you will be assessed
- Project-based assignments (e.g. build and deploy a web app)
- Code review assessments
- Written knowledge tests per unit of competency
- Capstone project with documentation and presentation
- Industry certification preparation exercises
Workplace and placement
No mandatory work placement, though many students complete junior developer, helpdesk or support internships during the course. Trainee pathways under the Australian Apprenticeships framework pay reduced wages under the Information and Telecommunications Technology Industry Award. Many graduates target junior software developer, web developer or ICT support roles.
Typical employers
- Software development consultancies (Australian and global)
- In-house development teams in banking, healthcare and retail
- Government digital teams (Service NSW, Service Victoria, DTA)
- Startups and scale-ups in fintech, healthtech, edtech
- Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT consultancies
- Game studios and creative tech companies
Pay after this qualification
$65,000 - $90,000 per year
Source: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/explore-careers/occupation/ict-business-and-systems-analysts. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
Is this the right course for you?
You probably thrive here if
- You can self-direct learning from documentation
- You enjoy hands-on coding and tinkering
- You can debug methodically when something breaks
- You can collaborate in pull request and code review processes
- You can keep up with rapid changes in tech stacks
It is probably not for you if
- You expect coding to be glamorous like in films
- You give up when code doesn't work the first time
- You struggle with self-directed online study
- You cannot keep current with the pace of technology change
After you finish
After the Diploma you can progress to a Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Computer Science or Bachelor of Software Engineering at RMIT, Swinburne, Edith Cowan, Charles Sturt, Deakin, La Trobe, UTS and others with significant credit (often one full year). Industry certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, CompTIA Security+, Scrum Master) strongly complement the qualification for in-demand roles in cloud, security and data.
Careers this leads to
Credit into a uni degree
Common articulation pathways. Confirm credit transfer with the receiving university directly.