Is cyber security a good career in Australia? How to get started
Wondering how to start a cyber security career? Here’s what you need to know about the job market, career path and roles in Australia.
Your next career could protect Australia's digital future
Australia’s digital economy is booming, but there’s a massive problem: there aren’t enough cyber security professionals to protect it. With 47 million data breaches hitting the country in 2024, the demand for skilled defenders has never been higher.
But, is cyber security a good career in Australia? Absolutely. Professionals in this field enjoy exceptional job security, impressive salaries that can exceed $300,000 and the flexibility to work remotely whilst protecting businesses across every industry. All that is thanks to the ultra-high demand for these professionals.
The good news is that you don’t need to go to school for years or quit your current job to work toward a career in cyber security. Swinburne Open’s flexible online courses can get you qualified and job-ready without disrupting your current life. The opportunities are waiting.
Why cyber security is a good career in Australia
If you’ve been wondering if cyber security is a good career in Australia, then the answer is a resounding yes. The demand for cyber security professionals is skyrocketing and employers are struggling to find enough skilled people. Over the next four years, Australia’s going to have 30,000 unfilled security positions by 2026. This massive skills gap means companies are competing hard for anyone with the right qualifications and will continue to do so in the future.
Part of the reason for such explosive demand is that Australian businesses are backing their cyber security commitments with big investments. Eighty-eight percent of Australian and New Zealand executives say cyber security is their top technology investment priority for 2025, according to a Gartner survey. IT spending across Australia is hitting AU$147 billion in 2025, which is an 8.7% increase from last year.
No matter how you look at it, it’s clear that the cyber security space in Australia is getting ready for years of unprecedented growth. The market is expected to reach $8.4 billion USD in 2025 and keep growing at 18.44% per annum until it hits $19.57 billion in 2030. This kind of explosive growth means job security, excellent salaries, plenty of benefits and lots of room to advance your career across every industry you can think of.
The best part is that many of these cyber security jobs are some of the best remote working careers in Australia. You can protect systems and investigate threats while working from home or anywhere with a good internet connection. So, combine high demand and the flexibility to work from virtually anywhere and you’ll see why cyber security is an excellent career choice in Australia.
Cyber security salary and job market in Australia
One of the biggest draws of a cyber security job in Australia is the exceptional learning potential across all experience levels. Once you’re in, you can keep learning and levelling up.
The average base salary for cybersecurity professionals is an impressive $103,000, which makes it one of the best careers in Australia with minimal experience required. Even entry-level positions offer salaries that many other industries consider senior-level pay.
These are the average cyber security salaries you can expect based on the role:
| Role | Salary range | Average |
| Cyber security analyst | $60,000 - $118,000 | $81,735 |
| Security analyst | $64,000 - $109,000 | $85,418 |
| Information security analyst | $62,000 - $126,000 | $90,604 |
| Cyber security engineer | $60,000 - $151,000 | $99,964 |
| Security manager | $70,000 - $151,000 | $110,707 |
| Cyber security manager | $120,000 - $220,000 | $149,375 |
| Chief information security officer | $155,000 - $309,000 | $203,752 |
The lowest-paying cyber security role still starts at $60,000, which is a very comfortable place to launch your career from. At the top end, a chief information security officer can earn well over $300,000, which just shows you how important these roles are for companies around the country. When you consider that the average cost of a cyber security breach is $4.4 million USD, these salaries are well worth it for many orgs.
What city has the highest cyber security salaries in Australia?
Brisbane has the highest cyber security salaries in Australia, with professionals earning an average of $132 000 per year in 2025. This is thanks to the city’s emergence as a major tech hub and booming IT sector. Brisbane was recently named one of the top 40 emerging ecosystems for start-ups in the world, so there is plenty of work for cyber security professionals. The Brisbane tech ecosystem generated $10.8 billion in value between 2021 and 2023, growing at a staggering 81% compound annual growth rate.
Besides Brisbane, all the other large cities in Australia have excellent career opportunities. These are the mean salaries for cyber security professionals per city:
Canberra: $121 000
Melbourne: $119 000
Sydney: $118 000
Perth: $116 000
Adelaide: $93 000
Common cyber security career paths
The career path for cyber security professionals has incredible diversity and growth potential that few other fields can match. You’re not locked into a single trajectory or stuck doing the same tasks for years and years. Cyber security careers cover everything from technical roles to strategic leadership positions, so you can move both vertically up the ladder and laterally across different specialisations.
And that’s part of the beauty of a career in cyber security in Australia. Skills transfer beautifully between roles, so you can do a little bit of creative problem-solving in penetration testing and then switch to the big-picture thinking of security architecture. Each role builds on the previous one whilst opening doors to new specialisations.
Entry-level cyber security careers
Security Operations Centre (SOC) analysts are the most common entry points into cyber security. You’ll spend your days monitoring network traffic and investigating suspicious alerts, almost like a police officer looking for cyber criminals. The work can be genuinely exciting, especially if you’re the one who spots and stops a major attack before it causes damage.
IT support roles with a security focus are another great entry point. These positions let you dip your toes into cyber security whilst still handling traditional help desk work. You’ll learn the fundamentals without the pressure of being responsible for security decisions.
Mid-level cyber security careers
Once you’ve got some experience under your belt, the opportunities really start opening up:
Security engineers: They design and build the technical defences that keep hackers out by working with firewalls and detection systems.
Cyber security consultants: These professionals get to work with different clients and industries, solving unique problems and earning premium rates for their expertise.
Incident response specialists: They’re the cyber security equivalent of emergency responders. They jump into action when a breach happens and companies need extra help.
These roles give you more autonomy, better pay and the chance to specialise in areas that genuinely interest you. Consulting work can be especially helpful at this point as you’ll see how different organisations approach security challenges.
Advanced cyber security careers
The top tier of security careers has both excellent pay and fascinating work. Once you’re here, these are just a few of the roles you could take:
Penetration testers: They get paid to think like hackers and break into the organisations systems to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do. These jobs usually come with flexible hours and an excellent work-life balance.
Security architects: These are the designers of the big-picture security strategy for entire organisations. They must make sure that all pieces fit together and anticipate emerging threats.
Chief information security officers: They run the whole security show, managing teams and budgets. Once you’re here, your salary could well exceed 300,000 per year.
Essential skills for cyber security careers
Being successful in a cyber security career depends on your unique blend of technical expertise and human skills — and how well you can use it to protect organisations. The good news is that you don’t need to be a programming genius to get started. You can learn many of these skills on the job or through focused study and most employees will support your continuing education efforts as you look to level up.
These are the core skills that’ll set you up for success in a cyber security career:
Technical networking knowledge: Knowing how networks operate, including firewalls, reuters and protocols is one of the most important parts of cyber security. You’ll need to know how data flows through systems and where vulnerabilities usually happen.
Basic programming skills: You don’t need to be a software developer, but knowing languages like Python or SQL helps you automate tasks and understand how attackers exploit code vulnerabilities.
Threat analysis abilities: Learning to think like both an attacker and defender helps you identify potential security threats and plan effective countermeasures. You’ll naturally develop this skill with practice and exposure to real-world problems.
Problem-solving mindset: Cyber security professionals face new challenges every day, which keeps things exciting. However, it also means you’ll need to be creative and piece together clues from incomplete information.
Clear communication skills: You’ll regularly have to explain technical concepts to non-technical colleagues and present security recommendations to management. Being able to translate technical jargon into business language will pay off.
Attention to detail: It’s not easy to spot anomalies in log files or notice subtle changes in system behaviour. You’ll have to be extremely aware of the smallest of details to do a good job.
Security tools proficiency: As you progress in your career, you’ll become more familiar with platforms like SIEM systems and endpoint protection tools.
Continuous learning attitude: Cyber threats evolve constantly. That means the best of the best stay curious and constantly update their knowledge with courses and certifications.
How to start a career in cyber security
Starting a career in cyber security in Australia might seem daunting if you don’t have an IT background, but there are many pathways that can get you into the field faster than you might think.
You don’t need to spend years at university or have extensive technical experience to land your first cyber security role. Most professionals in the field didn’t start with computer science degrees and many employers actually prefer candidates with diverse backgrounds who can bring fresh perspectives.
Here are some tips for starting your cyber security career:
Pick the right education path: Certificate IV qualifications get you job-ready in 18 months or less. Full university degrees take at least twice as long and often don’t give you a much better shot at landing your first job.
Start with beginner-friendly certifications: CompTIA Security+ is perfect for newcomers because it covers all the fundamentals without requiring any prior experience. Most people can study for this certification on their own whilst working their current job.
Consider your timeline and budget: Professional certificates cost a fraction of university tuition fees and get you working much sooner.
Focus on what employers really value: Eighty-six percent of cyber security professionals say their certifications are valuable and 90% of people who got certified before their first security job say their credentials were extremely helpful when job-hunting.
Get hands-on experience: Set up practice labs at home, volunteer to help with IT security at local charities or join online cyber security communities where you can learn by doing real work.
Plan your certification journey: Start with entry-level certifications like CompTIA Security+, then work towards advanced credentials like CISSP once you’ve got some professional experience under your belt.
Use your existing skills: Project management, attention to detail, communication abilities and problem-solving experiences transfer beautifully into information technology roles, even if you’ve never worked in IT before.
Study IT & cyber security online with Swinburne Open
Online education has revolutionised how we approach career changes, making it possible to develop cyber security skills even while staying on top of your current job and commitments. This flexibility is perfect for a cyber security job that demands continuous learning and adaptation to new threats.
Swinburne Open Education’s course catalogue is a great place to acquire modern skills for modern jobs. Our nationally recognised qualifications will get you noticed by employers because they focus on the types of practical skills you will use as soon as you enter the workforce.
Certificate IV in Business Cyber Security
This 18-month online Certificate IV in Business Cyber Security is perfect if you want to become the cyber security champion in your organisation. You’ll learn how to maintain digital device security and develop threat assessments that keep your company secure.
Here’s what makes this course an excellent choice:
Practical focus: You’ll learn to promote workplace cyber security awareness and contribute to real data protection policies.
Career ready: Graduates land roles as assistant security analysts, incident responders and team leaders.
Flexible timing: Study whilst you work, access materials 24/7 and progress at your own pace
Real skills: Master risk management strategies and threat assessment techniques that employers desperately need
Certificate IV in Information Technology
If you want a broader technical foundation, then the 18-month Certificate IV in Information Technology gives you the technical skills to troubleshoot systems, manage networks and provide expert IT support.
The opportunities are massive:
Growing field: 38.9% job growth predicted for systems administrators and IT support roles over the next five years.
Versatile skills: Database backup procedures, network installation, server configuration and programming basics
Multiple pathways: Opens doors to computer technician, IT support officer and service desk analyst positions
Future-proof: You’ll develop advanced critical thinking skills and learn about cyber security risk management
Both programs use world-class online learning platforms where you can study on any device, join trainer-led sessions and connect with students. No need to quit your job or relocate.
FAQs
Is cyber security hard to learn?
No, cyber security isn’t hard to learn if you start with the right courses. Most professionals start with Certificate IV programs that teach practical skills in manageable steps over just 18 months.
How long does it take to get into cyber security?
You can land entry-level cyber security roles within 6–18 months of starting your studies. Certificate IV programs provide job-ready skills much faster than more theory-heavy university degrees.
Can I work remotely in cyber security?
Yes, most cyber security work can be done remotely. You can monitor networks, investigate threats and protect systems from anywhere with reliable internet access.
What's the starting salary for cyber security in Australia?
Entry-level cyber security roles start at $60,000 per year, with quick progression to six-figure salaries as you gain experience and specialised skills.
Do I need a degree for cyber security?
No, you don’t need a university degree for cyber security. Employers prefer practical certifications and skills over academic qualifications. Certificate IV programs are excellent choices for those who want to learn the skills they need to land a cyber security job as fast as possible.
Ready to fill Australia’s cyber security gap?
Australia needs 30,000 cyber security professionals over the next four years and that massive opportunity could be yours. The skills shortage means those in the industry now enjoy excellent salaries, job security and incredible career growth opportunities. If you’re willing to take the first step, you could be in the industry before you know it.
Launch your cyber security career today. Request a call back from one of our friendly advisors to get started.