Best Short-Term Courses to Get You a Job in Australia 2024

Due to the increase of globalisation the demand for knowledge, skills and qualifications in the Information Technology (IT) sector has grown remarkably over the past few years.

These figures show how important and employable the IT industry is. Thanks to the growing demand for these niche skills, there is a large variety of IT short courses available in areas such as:

These short courses provide the foundational knowledge and skills for many different careers in the IT industry. Not only do they provide a strong understanding of the core components involved in certain areas of IT, but they are also a great pathway to further study. 

Some courses available take as little as six weeks to complete and are an excellent way to get started in IT.

Beauty therapy is a continuously growing industry in Australia. On top of the predicted 7.7% growth in employment by the end of 2025, apprenticeships in beauty, hairdressing, and other areas of beauty therapy are set to benefit from the government’s $1.2 billion wage subsidies. 

If there was ever a time to slide into the industry, it’s now.

There are low entry barriers in beauty and the potential for a high salary for talented and well-established working professionals. All it takes is a certificate course or an apprenticeship to become qualified in the beauty industry. 

You also have lots of choice when it comes to your workplace. You might love a team environment in a renowned salon, or prefer the independence of starting a small business and being your own boss. 

Because of the rapidly growing popularity of beauty services in Australia, there are short courses for every specialisation:

Any course in these areas will give you a strong foothold on the skills required for the job you’re after. On top of that, a course completion or certificate is the perfect thing to have on your resume to show your commitment and passion in beauty. Beauty courses can be completed in as little as four weeks.

Careers in human resources (HR) have been growing quickly in recent years, and are projected to continue expanding 15.6% by 2025. 

HR professionals earn an average salary of $1,662 per week, and have the potential for extensive career progression and upskilling within the field. The job itself is suited to people who are both personable and analytical, as it’s a multifaceted role that requires a blend of strategic thinking and communication skills.

There are a variety of pathways to enter this challenging, yet exciting career. The most popular way is to get a relevant qualification in HR, and then gain some work experience to open the doors to new career opportunities.

You don’t need to dedicate three years to a human resources degree — a certification course or diploma is often enough to learn the fundamental industry skills and processes.

HR short courses are available as a quick way to undertake the necessary training before moving onto work experience and on-the-job training, and can be completed in as little as 31 weeks.

In Australia, the healthcare sector is in high demand, and all jobs within it are projected to grow significantly. The healthcare and social assistance industry currently employs 1.8 million people and is estimated to increase to over 2 million by 2025.

Although it’s perceived that extensive study and higher education is required to work in high-paying roles in the healthcare industry, there are many areas that have lower entry barriers. Many job roles are anticipated to need more employees in the coming years, too:

Careers in these areas usually require an advanced certificate or diploma, along with on-the-job training, making them extremely accessible. There are many short courses available for healthcare jobs, so you can step into the industry quickly. Health short courses can be completed in as little as 20 weeks.

If you consider yourself to have a creative mindset, there’s good news: your talents are getting more and more desirable by the year. For those keen to specialise in web or graphic design, the digital workforce is opening its doors to you. Combined, these industries are anticipating 12.9% growth by 2024.

The sheer variety of job opportunities available in these fields means no matter where your interests lie, there will be a position you’ll love. Your role could see you working in professional, scientific and technical fields, manufacturing industries, or even information media and telecommunications sectors. With so much potential to move around, career progression is almost guaranteed for dedicated professionals.

As a web developer, your job requires a blend of coding and programming skills, along with an eye for design. A crucial part of the role of designing websites that make the user experience as easy as possible, and also look visually pleasing.

Graphic design is an umbrella term for a vast array of responsibilities. As a graphic designer, you could be working on anything from creating logos, designing brand identities, pulling together infographics, or making visual marketing products. No matter your goals, there is something for you to love in the field of graphic design.

The best part is, with the rapid increase of web design and graphic design short courses, you can enter the industry with a strong skill set in as little as six weeks.

Short courses are available online or face-to-face at TAFE, university or through a separate online education provider or registered training organisation.

Everyone learns better in certain environments. For example, you may be the type of person who benefits from studying at home in your own time and space. In that case, an online course would be beneficial for you. 

On the other hand, some people find being present in a classroom benefits their memory retention and understanding. Either way, there are flexible options to suit your study requirements.

From the amount of growth in the online education sector, many providers have placed a strong emphasis on delivering course information in an effective manner. This way you’ll be able to get all the necessary skills for your desired area of work to strengthen your employment opportunities.

If you’re a job seeker interested in increasing your knowledge skills and career opportunities, there are plenty of short courses specifically designed to enhance your capabilities. These courses can help you better your chances of finding employment in the industry that interests you in a short time frame.