Stephen Charlton
Writer
Articles by Stephen Charlton
How to get your first job in IT
25th February 2025
Expert Advice: How to get a Job in Cyber Security
23rd October 2024Key questions by Stephen Charlton
What courses are relevant to working in cyber security?
- Master of Cyber Security
Average duration: 24 months - Bachelor of Cyber Security
Average duration: Three years - Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
Average duration: 12 months - Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
Average duration: 18 months - Certificate IV in Cyber Security
Average duration: 12 months - Certificate III in Information Technology (Basic Cyber Security Awareness)
Average duration: 12 months - Cyber Security Governance, Risk and Compliance Certified Professional Course
Average duration: 4 months
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to work in cyber security?
You do not need a bachelor’s degree (or above) to work in cyber security. Having a bachelor’s degree or master’s in a field relevant to cyber security would be very helpful when looking for a job, because of the depth of knowledge you can build while learning over a long course. However, such a degree is not a strict requirement.
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
Can doing shorter courses help me get work in cyber security?
Shorter courses in cyber security such as diplomas and certificates can help you get a job in the field. Workers who have completed a cyber security-related short course, and who can also demonstrate practical technology work experience, can be highly competitive in the job market.
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
How do you get a job in cyber security?
The most direct way to find work in cyber security is to gain a qualification in cyber security or a related field. Recruiters highly value bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cyber security. Shorter courses in cyber security may help you stand out from the pack as well, particularly when you combine the qualification with experience working in a technology role.
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
How do I transition from another career to start working in cyber security?
Short courses, bachelor’s and master’s degrees can help you gain the skills required to find work in cyber security. Gaining practical experience working in a technology role can also help you prepare to transition into working in cyber security. One example of such a role would be working in IT support. If you can gain such a technology role in an organisation that values cyber security, then you can use it to demonstrate your worth to the company. Then once you have established yourself in the organisation you could request to be transferred onto the cyber security team. An example of an entry level cyber security role you could try to move laterally towards is information security analyst.
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
What career paths are available in cyber security?
Possible career paths in cyber security include working your way up to being a partner in a consulting firm, advisory work or a corporate executive leadership team role. In a corporate role, you could aim to move into the company’s executive leadership team with roles such as chief information security officer or chief information officer. With regard to advisory work, such roles can go beyond technical support and into bigger picture work. Examples of such work can include helping an organisation craft an overall strategy for cyber security and planning for incident response around cyber breaches so that the company and customers are protected. When aiming to advance your career in cyber security, it is beneficial to work in an organisation that values cyber security, is innovative in the field and has depth in the cyber security team, so there is room for career progression in this area.
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
How much does a cyber security professional earn in Australia?
The Australian Government organisation Jobs and Skills Australia reports on the median weekly earnings for cyber security professionals on its website, under the category of database and systems administrators and information and communications technology security specialists. As of September, 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia reports that median earnings for someone working full time in this category is as follows:
- Hourly wage: $59
- Weekly wage: $2,284
- Monthly wage: $9,897
- Annual wage: $118,768
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
What are the advantages of a career in cyber security?
One advantage to working in cyber security is the attractive salary package that workers in the field can command. As of September 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia reports that database and systems administrators and information and communications technology security specialists command a median weekly earnings of $2,284, compared to Australian workers of all occupations, who command median weekly earnings of $1,697. This means that the median weekly earnings of database and systems administrators and information and communications technology security specialists is $587 higher than the weekly median for Australian workers overall. Another advantage of becoming a cyber security professional is the satisfaction that comes with working in a highly valuable field. Cyber security professionals protect the data of companies, employees and customers, which is a vitally important role that can be very rewarding. Another pro to working in cyber security is that it is still an emerging and developing field, with lots of room for growth and further advances.
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
How will artificial intelligence affect the future of the cyber security industry?
Cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI) are intrinsically linked due to the large data sets required to work with AI, which need to be kept secure, alongside the technology itself. Therefore as AI continues to grow, then the need for cyber security professionals will continue to grow along with it. AI solutions can help businesses make their systems more secure, but they can also pose security risks. Either way, businesses need skilled cyber security professionals to successfully navigate the benefits and risks of AI, and they are going to continue needing them for a long time to come.
Learn more about cyber security.
25th September 2024
Do you need a bachelor’s degree to work in IT?
An IT-related bachelor’s degree can be very helpful when looking for work in this field. This is because a long, focused course helps you build your IT knowledge and skills, as well as make contacts in the industry.However, a bachelor’s degree is not a requirement. If you can demonstrate the skills and aptitude relevant to performing an IT job, then you can be competitive in the job market without a bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about information technology.
13th November 2024
How can you gain IT job skills without a bachelor’s degree?
You can gain IT job skills by completing vocational education and training, short courses and gaining practical experience in the field. Practical IT experience can be gained by freelancing, volunteering, working in related entry-level jobs and building a portfolio of projects. You may wish to publish your projects or contribute to collaborative open-source projects. Many IT professionals publish both types of projects on GitHub.Projects that produce something that is used by you, or ideally other people, will be viewed most favourably, as they demonstrate the ability to solve real-world problems.
Learn more about information technology.
13th November 2024
How can vocational education and training help you find work in IT?
Vocational education and training can help you gain hands-on IT experience and expand your network. Together with a portfolio, such qualifications can be used to gain an entry-level IT job or freelance work. Such work experience can then allow you to move into more senior IT roles.Vocational education and training can also provide an alternative pathway to meet entry requirements for higher education courses such as a bachelor’s degree, as opposed to year 11 and 12 coursework, and form the basis for entering the workforce with a higher qualification.
Learn more about information technology.
13th November 2024
How can networking help you find success as an IT professional?
Networking in IT can advance your knowledge of the field and allow you to source recommendations for open positions.There are various IT professional bodies in Australia that can offer networking opportunities through events and programs. Examples include the Australian Computer Society (ACS), Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), Tech Council of Australia (TCA), Australian Web Industry Association (AWIA) and Women in Technology (WIT).
Learn more about information technology.
13th November 2024
Do you need to know how to code to find work in IT?
You don’t need to know how to code to get a job in IT. Many jobs in IT require coding skills, but not all. IT is an expansive field that crosses over many disciplines and industries. Therefore, numerous jobs in IT do not require coding skills and instead rely more on interpersonal and creative skills such as project manager, business analyst, user experience (UX) designer, user interface (UI) designer and customer experience (CX) designer.
Learn more about information technology.
13th November 2024
How much does an IT professional earn in Australia?
One representative IT job role is software and applications programming. As of September, 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia reports that software and applications programmers earn a median full-time weekly wage of $2,496.
By contrast, Australian workers of all occupations command a median full-time weekly wage of $1,697.
You can research the earning potential of other IT jobs on the Jobs and Skills Australia website here.
Learn more about information technology.
13th November 2024
What makes IT an attractive field to work in?
The IT industry is expanding at a rapid rate. The Australian Trade and Investment Commission reported that as of 2023, the Australian technology sector contributes $167 billion annually to the economy and has grown by 80% over the past five years.
Furthermore, the Commission reported that the technology sector is not only growing in financial terms, but that it is also at the forefront of Australian research and innovation.
As a result, IT professionals have the potential to earn a very high wage – much more than the median rate commanded by Australian workers across all industries.
Learn more about information technology.
13th November 2024
What is the difference between an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist?
Occupational therapists help patients perform tasks in daily life, while physiotherapists help patients improve their movement, strength and function. The term occupation refers to everyday life tasks, while physiotherapy refers to physical therapy. Both are science-based allied health roles that aim to improve quality of life through prevention, maintenance and treatment.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
Which courses qualify you to work as an occupational therapist?
You can become qualified to work as an occupational therapist by completing one of the following degrees, depending on your educational pathway:
- Master of Occupational Therapy (postgraduate degree)
Average duration: 24 months - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Average duration: 4 years - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Average duration: 4 years
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
Which courses qualify you to work as a physiotherapist?
You can become qualified to work as a physiotherapist by completing one of the following degrees, depending on your educational pathway:
- Doctor of Physiotherapy (postgraduate degree)
Average duration: 3 years - Master of Physiotherapy (postgraduate degree)
Average duration: 24 months - Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Average duration: 4 years - Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Average duration: 4 years
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
Do you need a degree to work as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist?
Yes, you need to complete an accredited degree to work legally as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist in Australia. The two core pathways are completing a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate degree. The Occupational Therapy Council of Australia and Australian Physiotherapy Council are responsible for accrediting such courses.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
Can overseas candidates have their qualifications recognised in Australia?
Yes, overseas-qualified practitioners can work in Australia by registering with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia or Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Practitioners who are currently registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand or Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand can apply directly for Australian registration. Other overseas-qualified practitioners have to fulfil the requirements listed on the relevant webpages of the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
How can a postgraduate degree qualify you to work as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist?
If you have already completed an approved degree in a different discipline, you can gain an accredited postgraduate degree to become qualified to work as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Examples of such degrees are a Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physiotherapy and Doctor of Physiotherapy. Postgraduate degrees in these fields may have additional entry requirements, including but not limited to health-related prerequisite subjects.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
What can I do if I don’t meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy or physiotherapy?
In some cases, completing vocational education and training (VET) in a related discipline can allow you to meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree in these fields. Entry requirements vary between educational providers. Some providers offer a VET entry pathway with a minimum of a Certificate IV, but others require a minimum of a diploma or advanced diploma. Some providers do not offer a VET pathway for these courses at all. Therefore, it’s wise to confirm the entry requirements for your desired bachelor’s degree before starting a VET course.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
Are there additional entry requirements to work as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist?
In addition to completing an accredited degree, occupational therapists and physiotherapists will need to register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia or Physiotherapy Board of Australia to work in Australia. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) administers practitioner registration on behalf of these boards. There are different requirements to gain registration for Australian-qualified practitioners, New Zealand-registered practitioners, and other overseas-qualified practitioners.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
What career paths are available for occupational therapists or physiotherapists?
Career paths for these professions include independent contracting, starting a practice, working in community care, paediatrics, mental health, rehabilitation, disability, medical or aged care sectors).
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
How much do occupational therapists and physiotherapists earn in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for occupational therapists and physiotherapists in 2024 are $1,526 and $1,710, respectively. These figures can be contrasted with Australian workers of all occupations, who earn a median full-time weekly income of $1,697.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
How much labour market demand is there for occupational therapists?
There is a significant demand for occupational therapists across Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List indicates that the labour market had a shortage of occupational therapists across all states and territories from 2022 to 2024.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
How much labour market demand is there for physiotherapists?
There is substantial demand for physiotherapists in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List indicates that the labour market experienced a shortage of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in most states and territories from 2022 to 2024.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
What are the advantages of a career in occupational therapy or physiotherapy?
Working as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist comes with the satisfaction of directly helping to improve patients’ quality of life. Furthermore, the job market is promising, as Jobs and Skills Australia reports there is significant labour market demand for both professions. The future outlook is also positive, as Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the annual employment growth in 2024 for occupational therapists and physiotherapists is 2,200 and 4,100, respectively.
Learn more about allied health.
23rd December 2024
