Overview
Kickstart your career in the fast-growing cyber security industry with a Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) at Victoria University (VU).
Start your cyber security career sooner with this course that qualifies you to work in cyber security technician roles in IT support across government, business, and community organisations.
Learn current best-practice skills directly from experts, thanks to VU’s active membership in TAFEcyber and strong connections to industry. Through VU’s partnerships including Cisco Networking Academy and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, you’ll enjoy expert panel discussions and industry events embedded in your hands-on training right from the start.
With a Certificate IV in Cyber Security, you’ll be equipped to take advantage of the massive expected growth in cyber security jobs. Get job-ready with the technical skills needed to:
- monitor the risk of cyber security attacks
- use software, tools and procedures to mitigate cyber security threats
- protect an organisation from insider security breaches
- develop systems to minimise network vulnerabilities and risks.
Plus, as a VU student you’ll benefit from various paid and volunteer opportunities supporting the IT and cyber security needs of local small businesses.
You can choose from studying 100% online or in-person at various campuses or our state-of-the-art Cyber Security Training Centre in St Albans.
If you choose to continue your studies at VU, this course leads seamlessly into our Bachelor of Cyber Security, Bachelor of Information Technology or Bachelor of Data Science.
Get hands-on learning in our Cyber Security Training Centre
You’ll get work-ready when you study at VU’s Cyber Security Training Centre in St Albans, by immersing yourself in real-world cyber security tasks and experiencing what it’s like working in a cyber security operations centre (CSOC).
In CSOC, you’ll be part of a team and get practical experience in a simulated environment. The attack and defend rooms put you in the hot seat, giving you the chance to take on the role of hacker or defender and put your skills to the test.
Choose the study options that work for you
If you’re just starting out in the industry, you’ll benefit from in-person study at our state-of-the-art Cyber Security Training Centre in St Albans.
However, if you prefer you can study 100% online. Provided your equipment meets minimum specifications, you can fit your course around your life by studying either:
- full-time online: scheduled online classes three days per week over 12 months
- part-time online: scheduled online classes two evenings per week over 18 months.
When you study online with VU, you’ll get to practise and reinforce your skills through a range of cloud-based labs and learning activities.
Industry support from the Cisco Networking Academy
With this course supported by the Cisco Networking Academy, you can be sure everything you learn at VU is up to date with the latest standards in this fast-growing industry.
Cisco Networking Academy supports VU to grow your cyber security knowledge and skills so you’ll be ready to meet the massive demand that continues to grow both locally and globally. After graduation, you’ll be able to take on exciting employment opportunities across almost every industry.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
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Free TAFE
No tuition fees for eligible students. - Fee subsidies
Careers
Be part of the solution to Australia’s huge expected worker shortage as cyber attacks continue to grow. With 30,000 unfilled jobs expected in Australia by 2026, your skills will be highly valued.
With a Certificate IV in Cyber Security, you’ll be work-ready for jobs such as:
- cyber security advice and assessment specialist
- cyber security operations coordinator
- cyber security analyst
- information systems security support officer
- network security support officer
- website security support officer.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
To be awarded the 22603VIC Certificate IV in Cyber Security, 16 units must be completed comprising:
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8 core units
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8 elective units
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
2024 and 2025 Delivery
Core units
-
- Unit code
- BSBINS401
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- Unit code
- BSBWHS309
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- Unit code
- ICTICT443
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- Unit code
- VU23213
-
- Unit code
- VU23215
-
- Unit code
- VU23217
-
- Unit code
- VU23220
-
- Unit code
- VU23223
Elective units
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- Unit code
- ICTCLD401
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- Unit code
- ICTNWK546
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- Unit code
- ICTPRG435
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- Unit code
- VU23214
-
- Unit code
- VU23218
-
- Unit code
- VU23219
-
- Unit code
- VU23221
-
- Unit code
- VU23222
2023 Delivery for continuing students only
Core units
-
- Unit code
- BSBWHS309
-
- Unit code
- BSBINS401
-
- Unit code
- ICTICT443
-
- Unit code
- VU23213
-
- Unit code
- VU23215
-
- Unit code
- VU23217
-
- Unit code
- VU23220
-
- Unit code
- VU23223
Elective units
Analyst Focus
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- Unit code
- ICTCLD401
-
- Unit code
- ICTICT426
-
- Unit code
- ICTPRG435
-
- Unit code
- VU23214
-
- Unit code
- VU23218
-
- Unit code
- VU23221
-
- Unit code
- VU23222
-
- Unit code
- VU23225
Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) Focus
-
- Unit code
- ICTICT426
-
- Unit code
- VU23214
-
- Unit code
- VU23216
-
- Unit code
- VU23218
-
- Unit code
- VU23219
-
- Unit code
- VU23221
-
- Unit code
- VU23222
-
- Unit code
- VU23225
Learning outcomes
The 22603VIC Certificate IV in Cyber Security is a technician-level qualification that will provide graduates with the knowledge and a comprehensive set of technical skills that enables them to:
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monitor the risk of cyber security attacks
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implement appropriate software
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use a range of tools and procedures to mitigate cyber security threats
-
protect an organisation from insider security breaches
- develop systems to minimise network vulnerabilities and risks.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment
Additionally, applicants will have the opportunity to nominate their study preference during the application process: Face-to-face and eLearning (on campus/zoom) or fully online (off campus). Learners intending to study fully remotely online will be required to have access to a PC/Laptop with the following minimum specifications: 16 Gbyte RAM and Quad-Core processor, reliable high-speed internet connection, web camera, microphone and headset.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 24 credit points of study.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Available start dates:
- 27 January 2025
- 28 January 2025
- 3 February 2025
- 28 April 2025
- 21 July 2025
- 6 October 2025
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 26 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 27 January 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
