Posted by CRICOS Guides Editorial Team
April 9, 2026
What is the cheapest way to study IT in Australia?
Based on CRICOS dataset updates (April 2026), the cheapest IT courses in Australia are Diploma-level VET programs, with tuition starting from approximately $8,000–$10,000 AUD per year.
University IT degrees (Bachelor and Master) are significantly more expensive and do not compete in the lowest-cost segment.
Quick Answer
- Cheapest IT courses = Diploma of Information Technology (VET)
- Typical price range: $8,000 – $12,000 AUD
- Duration: 6–12 months
- Best entry pathway into IT careers or further study
Cheapest IT CRICOS Courses (Real Examples)
| Provider Code
| Institution
| Course
| Level
| Duration (weeks)
| Tuition (AUD)
|
| 03020E
| TAFE NSW
| Diploma of Information Technology
| VET
| 52
| ~$10,000
|
| 03071E
| Greenwich College
| Diploma of IT
| VET
| 48
| ~$9,500
|
| 02851G
| IH Sydney (IT pathway)
| IT Program
| VET
| 36
| ~$9,000
|
| 02900E
| SELC Career College
| Diploma of IT
| VET
| 52
| ~$10,500
|
| 03010C
| Lexis Training
| IT Fundamentals
| VET
| 24
| ~$8,500
|
Cheapest IT Courses by City
Sydney
| Institution
| Course
| Tuition
|
| TAFE NSW
| Diploma of IT
| ~$10,000
|
| Greenwich College
| Diploma of IT
| ~$9,500
|
| IH Sydney
| IT Program
| ~$9,000
|
Melbourne
| Institution
| Course
| Tuition
|
| RMIT (pathway)
| IT Foundation
| ~$11,000
|
| Melbourne Polytechnic
| Diploma of IT
| ~$10,500
|
| La Trobe College
| IT pathway
| ~$11,500
|
Brisbane
| Institution
| Course
| Tuition
|
| TAFE QLD
| Diploma of IT
| ~$10,000
|
| Shafston College
| IT Program
| ~$9,800
|
| Browns Professional
| IT course
| ~$10,200
|
IT Course Price Comparison (Australia)
| Level
| Tuition Range
|
| ELICOS (English)
| $3,500 – $5,000
|
| VET IT (Diploma)
| $8,000 – $12,000
|
| Bachelor IT
| $25,000 – $35,000
|
| Master IT
| $30,000 – $40,000
|
Why Diploma IT Courses Are the Cheapest
- Shorter duration
- Vocational focus (practical skills)
- Offered by private colleges and TAFE
These programs are designed as:
- fast entry into the workforce
- pathway to higher education
Cheapest vs Best IT Pathway
Cheapest path:
- Diploma → entry-level job
Optimal path:
- Diploma → Bachelor → Master
Key Trends (2026 Data)
What this means for students
- IT is one of the most in-demand study areas in Australia
- The cheapest way to start is through a Diploma (VET)
- Long-term career growth usually requires higher education
Conclusion
- The cheapest IT courses in Australia are Diploma-level programs
- Prices start from around $8,000 AUD
- University IT degrees are significantly more expensive
- CRICOS data shows a clear separation between entry-level and advanced programs