Top 5 IT Certifications in Australia
IT certifications can help experienced professionals obtain a salary boost and land coveted IT roles that require certification. Even if you’re not on the job hunt, certifications increase your general employability and make you a more valuable asset to a company because of the deep knowledge and real-world experience required to obtain one.
Today’s data-driven businesses rely on increasingly complex information systems, so the need for experienced IT professionals is growing. Cloud networking, cybersecurity, and project management were the most in-demand IT roles in Australia for the first half of 2020, according to recruitment firm Hays. The Hays Jobs Report warned of a “massive talent gap in 2020” and that “skill shortages will continue to plague IT.”
Competition for jobs has nearly doubled in Australia, according to new data from LinkedIn’s Labor Market Update, going from 20 applications per job posting to nearly 40.
Certifications enable IT professionals to stand out in the job market and update their skills to qualify for the most in-demand jobs.
Top 5 IT Certifications in Australia
Here are the five most sought-after IT certifications in Australia.
AWS Solutions Architects
AWS solutions architects design complex cloud infrastructure to host services and applications in the cloud using Amazon Web Services. They start by gathering requirements from users throughout the business and use those findings to map out a solution that meets the business’s needs. This may involve designing solutions from scratch or migrating existing applications to the cloud.
While most cloud computing vendors offer their own certifications, AWS is the world’s most broadly used cloud computing platform. AWS corners 47.1% of the cloud computing market, versus Microsoft Azure’s 15.5% and Google Cloud’s 4% shares, according to Gartner. The platform offers over 176 services from data centers globally, including products and services like computing, storage, databases, servers, analytics, developer tools, and enterprise apps.
Whom is this IT certification intended for?
This certification is intended for those in a solutions architect role with one or more years of experience designing scalable distributed systems in AWS or equivalent IT certification training. Earning this certification shows you know how to architect and deploy applications in AWS.
What are the benefits of obtaining this IT certification?
Being a certified solutions architect for the largest cloud computing service provider in the world promises a high salary (AU$117,229 on average, according to Payscale) and plentiful job opportunities. According to Indeed, job postings for AWS-proficient developers increased fivefold between 2014-2019. AWS offers numerous certifications at the foundational, associate, and professional level; solutions architect falls into the professional category.
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Project Management Professional
Project managers can work in virtually any industry using any project management technology. PM certification consistently ranks as a top IT certification because it confers soft skills that enhance the value of virtually any other technical credential. Even if you don’t land a role with a project manager title, PM certification primes you for a leadership role in techs, such as engineering manager or tech lead.
Project management consists of planning, scheduling, budgeting for, executing, and reporting on all types of projects. These duties apply to activities that happen only occasionally, such as hardware upgrades, to routine tasks like maintenance and software upgrades.
Whom is PMP certification intended for?
While several organizations offer PM certifications, the Project Management Institute offers the most esteemed PM credentials. You can opt for a specialized PM certification, such as risk management or business analysis, or a generalist certification like the Project Management Professional (PMP) or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). There are over one million PMP certificate holders worldwide.
To qualify for the PMP exam, you need a four-year degree, 36 months of experience leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education or a CAPM certification.
What are the benefits of obtaining PMP certification?
The most rewarding aspect of project management is its versatility, coupled with the opportunity to become an industry specialist. For example, being a construction PM is very different from a role in IT project management, and requires specialist knowledge of industry-specific systems and processes.
What’s more, data shows PM roles are on the rise. A report from the Project Management Institute predicted that project management roles would grow by 33% across 11 countries through 2027, including Australia. . PMs in Australia command the second-highest median salary in the world at AUD$139,037.
Certified Scrum Master
A scrum master is a project manager who is responsible for ensuring teams follow scrum processes. Scrum is a collaborative framework rooted in agile methodologies that encourages teams to learn by doing and reflect on wins and losses to continuously improve. The scrum master provides a set of tools and roles like kanban boards and backlogs to help teams structure and manage their work. They are not involved in decision-making, but they manage the team’s overall process by clearing obstacles and establishing an environment where the team can be effective.
Whom is Scrum Master certification intended for?
While there are no required credentials for taking the CSM exam, certain prerequisites may apply depending on which organization administers the certification. Some organizations require you to take IT courses with a certified scrum trainer or receive private coaching from a certified agile coach, while others make prep courses optional.
What are the benefits of obtaining a Scrum Master certification?
LinkedIn ranked scrum master as one of the top 10 ‘Most Promising Jobs of 2019’ with a 67% year on year growth in job listings.
The earning potential for a scrum master increases exponentially as they accrue years of experience. The average salary for a CSM in Australia is AU$105,343, while a mid-career CSM with 5-9 years of experience brings home an average of AU$120,669, according to Payscale.
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Cisco Certified Network Associates are responsible for installing, configuring, and troubleshooting networks using products from Cisco, a major provider of networking services. Their job is to evaluate network performance, define policies and procedures, and improve network security. CCNA certification validates your knowledge of network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and more.
Whom is CCNA certification intended for?
CCNA is the second level of Cisco’s five-level career certification process. In the past, Cisco offered 10 non-interchangeable certifications for different skill sets, such as data centers, cloud computing, and routing and switching. Cisco recently consolidated these credentials into a single foundational certification that allows technicians to work across all technical domains.
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What are the benefits of obtaining CCNA certification?
Cisco holds over 50 percent market share in the IT network market, promising CNNAs plentiful job opportunities. Computer networking in general represents a high-growth area, with the number of IT networking professionals slated to almost double between 2014-2024, according to data from Job Outlook, an initiative of the Australian Government National Skills Commission. The average CCNA salary in Australia is AU$78,612, per Payscale.
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
An MCSE creates and maintains IT infrastructure using Microsoft server technologies like Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange Server, Sharepoint, and Office 365. They deploy and manage desktops and devices that can be accessed from anywhere and allow users to access corporate services reliably.
Solutions experts start by researching and documenting the system design specification and business requirements of the client, then they design, configure, and implement new computer systems and applications.
Whom is MCSE certification intended for?
MCSE represents the highest level of certification provided by Microsoft. Two years of experience working with Microsoft server hardware and software is recommended before attempting the exam.
What are the benefits of obtaining MCSE certification?
MCSE certification typically represents a substantial salary bump for IT professionals. The average MCSE salary in Australia is AU$159,091, according to SalaryExpert. Based on compensation data, the site predicts that the estimated salary potential will increase by 10% in five years, reaching AU$174,619 by 2025.
Connect with our experts and learn more about which certification path is most suitable for you.