Diploma in Information Technology

Course information for - 2026 entry

Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
ATAR
50.00 for ACU Online
Fees (first year)*

$9918 CSP

Start dates
ACU Term 1, ACU Term 3

Overview

The Diploma in Information Technology (Online) is a flexible and accessible pathway designed to help you achieve your career and study goals no matter where you are located or what your schedule looks like. Delivered fully online, this program allows you to study from anywhere while balancing work, family, or other commitments.

Students who complete the Diploma in Information Technology may receive credit for up to the first year of study and articulate into the second year of ACU’s assosiated bachelor’s degrees.

Alternatively, the Diploma can be completed as a standalone qualification.

With lower entry requirements than bachelor’s degrees, this online diploma is ideal for those seeking an alternative entry point to university. It equips you with foundational skills in IT while preparing you for further tertiary study.

Domestic students are eligible for Commonwealth supported places (CSP).

ACU Online is committed to your success. Whether you are a recent school leaver or returning to study after time away, you'll benefit from dedicated academic support and a suite of online student services designed to help you thrive in your studies.

  • 95% graduates employed

  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1

  • Specified UnitsDPBI100Academic Literacy in Business and Information Technology10.0 cp
  • Specified UnitsITED100Information Technology in Action10 cp
  • Specified UnitsBUSD113Managing People and Organisations10.0 cp
  • Specified UnitsITED200Data and Information Management10.0 cp
  • Specified UnitsITED204Introduction to Cyber Security10.0 cp
  • Specified UnitsITED201Fundamentals of Information Technology10 cp
  • Specified UnitsITED102Python Fundamentals for Data Science10.0 cp
  • Specified UnitsITED217Programming Concepts10 cp

All units are delivered online.

Commencing ACU Term 3

All units are delivered online.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU Diploma in Information Technology (DIPINT) graduate, you develop deep personal and professional insight grounded in ethical awareness and digital literacy. Through reflection and learning autonomy, you cultivate an understanding of yourself as a learner, citizen, and emerging IT professional. You recognise the importance of forming a strong foundation for IT education by embracing change, upholding ethical considerations, and striving for technical proficiency aligned with industry standards.

Empathy

As an ACU Diploma in Information Technology (DIPINT) graduate, you value human dignity, cultural diversity, and the social responsibilities of working in the digital age. Your empathy and ethical awareness guide respectful engagement with people of all backgrounds, including the first Nations peoples. You appreciate the social need for inclusive technologies and demonstrate workplace readiness by recognising the importance of ethical considerations, data security, and respectful collaboration in professional IT environments.

Imagination

As an ACU Diploma in Information Technology (DIPINT) graduate, you apply imagination, innovation, and critical thinking to solve practical problems in data analytics, cybersecurity, and data governance. You creatively explore technological solutions that serve social and community needs while aligning with ethical frameworks. Through engagement with digital tools and information sources, you demonstrate digital literacy, technical proficiency, and an understanding of industry standards that support sustainable innovation in IT.

Impact

As an ACU Diploma in Information Technology (DIPINT) graduate, you are prepared to make meaningful contributions to society by applying your knowledge to address real-world challenges. You demonstrate workplace readiness through the responsible use of technology, effective communication, and leadership in diverse teams. Grounded in a commitment to human dignity and the common good, you use your skills in data governance, data security, and ethical IT practice to positively influence local and global communities.

AQF framework

Diploma - AQF Level 5

Entry requirements

An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy

International students must also meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

For students to be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have also completed:

  1. Equivalent of year 12 level with the ACU minimum eligibility rank for Diploma programs OR
  2. Entry via an alternative pathway as approved by ACU.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in Schedule 4 of the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Further study

Students who complete the Diploma in Information Technology may apply for entry into the Bachelor of Information Technology. It may also provide a pathway into a range of associated bachelor degrees.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$9918 CSP

*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.

A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:

  • Number of units studied per year
  • Choice of major or specialisation
  • Elective units

The University reviews fees annually.

You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

Apply for this course

ACU Online Applicants

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

Staff Profile

Dr Haifeng Shen

Associate Professor and the Discipline Leader of Information Technology, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Haifeng Shen is an Associate Professor of Information Technology in the Peter Faber Business School at Australian Catholic University (ACU). Before joining ACU in 2019, he had been a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics at Flinders University in Australia since 2009 and an Assistant Professor in the School of Computer Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore from 2003 to 2009. Dr Shen also has over six years working experience in industry as a software engineer, computer system administrator and programmer before becoming an academic.

Dr Kamanashis Biswas

Lecturer in Information Technology, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Kamanashis Biswas is a Lecturer in Information Technology at Peter Faber Business School. He is also an adjunct lecturer at School of ICT, Griffith University. Before starting his role at ACU, he worked as an Associate Lecturer at Griffith University for one and half years. He also worked as a faculty at Daffodil International University, Bangladesh for about four and half years. His research interests include blockchain technology, design and development of lightweight security protocols, energy efficient and secure routing, intrusion detection systems, security issues in MANETs and WSNs. He has published more than 50 peer reviewed papers in various journals and conferences including IEEE, ACM, Springer and Elsevier. 

 

Have a
question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some common questions.

See our FAQs