If You Want to Take It Further

A university degree isn't required to start learning cyber security.

There are several routes.

University

• La Trobe University (Bendigo) — Cyber Security / IT
• Deakin University — Cyber Security
• RMIT University — Cybersecurity
• Federation University — Cyber security programs
• Other universities across Australia offer cyber security, computer science and related degrees

TAFE / VET

TAFE and other vocational providers offer shorter, more practical pathways into IT and cyber security. Locally, Bendigo TAFE and GOTAFE both run IT and cyber-related courses, and are worth a look if you want something more hands-on and less lecture-hall than a full degree.

Victorian Government Cyber Internship Program

Build your cyber career with the Victorian Government

Worth calling out on its own: this is a real, walked pathway, not just a link on a list. A previous work experience participant went on to complete a Certificate IV in Cyber Security and is now working in the Cyber Incident Response Service at the Department of Government Services.

The program is part of the Free TAFE initiative — it takes recent Certificate IV in Cyber Security graduates and places them working alongside Victorian Government cyber teams in one of several streams: incident response, cyber awareness and education, threat intelligence, GRC, or security operations. Expressions of interest open periodically (they're not year-round), so check the page above for current dates rather than assuming it's always open.

If you're weighing up whether TAFE is "worth it" compared to jumping straight into a job, this is a concrete answer: TAFE plus this internship is a genuine, funded route from "no experience" to "working in cyber for the Victorian Government" in a relatively short timeframe.

Industry

Industry organisations worth knowing about include:

AISA — Australian Information Security Association

ACS — Australian Computer Society

And don't underestimate the value of building skills outside formal education.