This article shows how you could save thousands on an IT qualification, use your existing skills and enter the industry sooner. These are best-case examples, but they may be achievable for some people. Book a free consultation for personalised advice and a plan if the cost-of-living crisis has made changing careers harder.
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The first step to getting into IT quicker and saving money is to complete the Automation Skills Diploma of IT in one year instead of two years with a PAYG RTO for approx. $4,940—about half the approx. $10,537 cost of one year of university IT study for domestic CSP-supported places. The university estimate is based on published prices from Deakin, RMIT and ACU. This also gives you a qualification you can use to start applying for jobs after one year.
View the Automation Skills Diploma
Utilize RPL to further reduce your Diploma cost
Self-study before enrolment
Many Australians can access LinkedIn Learning free through participating local or state libraries. Google Skillshop provides free Google certifications, Microsoft Learn provides free training, freeCodeCamp provides free certifications, and Coursera offers free course options. Technical documentation, projects, GitHub and work experience can also build relevant skills.
Recognition of Prior Learning
An RTO can assess your existing skills through Recognition of Prior Learning. Evidence may include:
- Certificates or online course records
- Websites, programs, apps or other work samples
- Employment, project or professional references
For example, if an RTO grants RPL for 5 of the Diploma’s 20 units, that is 25% of the units. If the RTO reduces fees in proportion to the units granted, the Diploma fee could be reduced by approximately 25%. Confirm the actual saving with the RTO.
Universities are more restrictive about granting credit based on real-world skills. From my personal experience, they are extremely reluctant to give any credit, even when you work in the job the qualification is for. They only take a Diploma in IT seriously for credit. VET is designed specifically to provide credit for real-world skills.
Finish early with RPL
For example if an RTO grants RPL for 5 of the Diploma’s 20 units, the potential fee reduction is approximately 25%. This could reduce the one-year Diploma estimate if you finish in a year from approx. $4,940 to approx. $3,705, saving approx. $1,235 depending on the RTO you get credit with and if they give discounts for RPL subjects.
Get a second diploma to maximise university credit
You can receive 100% RPL for a qualification in the Vocational Education & Training system through a private training organisation like Automation Skills or Tafe. For example if you have the proof required and worked in a business for 3 to 5 years then you could get 100% credit for a Diploma in Business. Private RTO’s are generally quicker providing credit than Tafe in general and also will generally charge much less.
University Credit
Most universities will give 1 year credit per diploma depending on the bachelor you are looking at. So you could potentially get 2 years credit from a bachelor which is the maximum credit universities give for a 3 year degree.
HELP is not free education
HELP defers payment but does not remove the cost. A three-year Bachelor’s degree costing approx. $31,611 could reach approx. $42,361 after an example 1 year repayment delay and the average 9.6 years of 2.8% indexation to pay off the debt. Repayments depend on income and begin above the applicable threshold. Sources: Study Assist, indexation rules and Department of Education data.
Final figures
| Pathway | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Alternative pathway: two Diplomas plus one indexed university year | approx. $15,987 |
| Three-year university HELP balance after a 1-year repayment delay and 9.6 years of indexation | approx. $42,361 |
| Potential difference | approx. $26,374 |
This article compares fees only and does not include living costs, equipment, student services fees or other expenses. Everything in this article is general in nature. To get advice specific to your situation, book a free consultation with Automation Skills.