What's on this page?
Jump to:
- Start by Understanding What “IT” Actually Covers
- You Can Be Job-Ready Before You’ve Had an IT Job
- Make Your Background Work for You
- Pick an Entry Route
- Build the Skills Employers Expect in Entry-Level IT Roles
- Take a Focused Approach to Applications and Interviews
- Final Thoughts: Focus on Learning, Progress, and a Realistic First Step
- How to Get an IT Job With No Experience FAQs
Start by Understanding What “IT” Actually Covers
Before you apply for any positions, it helps to get clear on what IT actually covers.
IT can include:
-
IT support
-
Service desk work
-
Infrastructure
-
Networking
-
Systems administration
-
Cloud support
-
Security support
IT is not the same as coding, data analytics, or project management. And honestly, not everyone wants a deeply technical role. Some people are far better suited to practical, people-facing positions.
And if you’re already thinking about where your first role could lead, understanding how to become an IT professional can be useful.

You Can Be Job-Ready Before You’ve Had an IT Job
One of the first things I explain to people wanting to get into IT is that employers are not always looking for years of paid experience. At entry-level, they are often looking for evidence that you can solve problems, communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and learn quickly.
Paid experience of course helps, but usable proof can take other forms. We see this all the time with people moving into IT from completely different backgrounds.
That proof might include:
-
Home lab practice
-
A CompTIA A+ or similar certification
-
Examples of troubleshooting you’ve done
-
Helping friends or family with devices
-
Customer service experience
-
Ticketing, documentation, or process-based work from previous jobs
I’d focus less on saying “I have no experience” and more on asking, “What proof can I show that I can do this kind of work?” This question usually helps people move forward much faster.
Make Your Background Work for You
A lot of career changers underestimate how useful their existing experience can be. Don't dismiss your current expertise just because it does not come from an IT department.
Transferable soft skills you can bring to IT from previous roles include:
-
Retail: customer service and calm problem-solving
-
Admin: organisation and documentation
-
Hospitality: working under pressure
-
Teaching: explaining things clearly
-
Warehouse or logistics: process, accuracy, and consistency
We often remind people that your first IT role is not about proving you have done everything before. It is about showing that you already have habits and strengths that fit the role, and that you are ready to build the technical side alongside them.
Hear from IT student, Zac
Previously feeling stuck in a retail job with no future, Zac contacted Learning People to explore a career in IT. After being reassured that his existing skills and experience would easily transfer to this new sector, he enrolled with us. After completing a series of CompTIA qualifications, and with Career Services' expert guidance, he secured his first role in IT as a Systems Administrator.
Pick an Entry Route
A lot of people make choosing an entry route harder than it needs to be by applying for every IT job they can find. I understand applicants might think that this increases their chances, but it usually just leads to weaker applications. You are far more likely to make progress if you focus on one realistic starting point and build around that.
For most beginners, that means targeting roles such as:
-
Service Desk Analyst
-
IT Support Technician
-
Junior Network Support
-
other entry-level technical support roles
Once you’ve picked a route, you can make better decisions about what to study, which certifications make sense, how to practise, and what kinds of jobs to apply for. That is usually where things start to feel more manageable.
If you’re weighing up whether now is the right time to start, it’s also worth understanding why now is a better time than ever to get qualified in tech.
Fact: Australia Has 74,000 ICT Support Technicians In Work
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that 74,000 people were employed as ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Support Technicians in Australia as of November 2025.
This shows that support-based roles make up a sizeable part of the workforce. For someone trying to get into IT, that is encouraging because it points to a well-established area of the job market.
Build the Skills Employers Expect in Entry-Level IT Roles
Once you know the kind of IT job you want to aim for, the next step is building the right foundation. Don't try to learn everything at once - it is far more useful to start with the basics employers expect in entry-level roles.
That usually includes:
-
Hardware and software fundamentals
-
Operating systems
-
Networking basics
-
Security awareness
-
Troubleshooting
But technical knowledge on its own is not enough. Data repeatedly shows that tech roles should be a 50/50 balance of technical skills and human touch. It is very important to communicate clearly, stay patient, take useful notes, and explain technical issues in simple language, especially in many support IT roles.
In other words, the strongest candidates tend to combine technical understanding with good people skills. If you are looking for a structured way to build those foundations, exploring IT courses can be a useful place to start.
Take a Focused Approach to Applications and Interviews
Once you’ve started building the right skills for the IT role you want, the next step is to turn that effort into focused applications. Target entry-level IT roles that genuinely fit your current level and show clearly why you are a good match.
Use the language in the job description where it is honest and relevant. Show the evidence you’ve built through learning, hands-on practice, and transferable skills from previous roles. It also helps to stay active where these opportunities tend to appear, including LinkedIn, job boards, and recruiters who work on entry-level tech roles.
At interview stage, employers often look closely at attitude, problem-solving, customer focus, and willingness to learn. Prepare a few examples that show how you’ve handled pressure, picked up something new, solved an issue, or helped someone practically. You do not need to know everything. You just need to come across as capable and ready to learn.
Fact: Australian IT Support Technicians Typically Earn A$70,000 To A$85,000
Recent salary data shows that in Australia, IT Support Technician roles typically pay between A$70,000 and A$85,000 a year.
For someone trying to get into IT with no experience, that is a helpful reminder that support-based roles can be a solid first step, not just a stepping stone.
Final Thoughts: Focus on Learning, Progress, and a Realistic First Step
You do not need the perfect background to get started in IT. I’ve seen people come into this space from all sorts of industries, and what usually matters most is having a clear target, putting visible effort into the right skills, and being patient with the process.
Your first IT role does not need to be your dream job. It just needs to be a realistic first step that helps you build experience and momentum.
And if you want help figuring out the best route into IT for you, you can book a free consultation with one of our career experts to talk through your options.
How to Get an IT Job With No Experience FAQs
Related Articles
Getting a Job With No ExperienceHow to Get an IT Job With No Experience
You do not need a perfect background to get started in IT. This guide explains how to build evidence, choose a realistic first role, and take practical steps towards your first IT job in Australia and New Zealand.
Read More
TechWhy getting qualified now is a better time than ever for your tech career
Having analysed large data sets from employment platform Seek, I take a dive into the areas of tech with the highest salaries and highest job demand to help you make informed decisions about your next career step.
Read More
ITMost in Demand IT Certifications (December 2025)
By combining our globally-recognised expertise and the latest industry reports, we have identified the top five certifications for IT professionals.
Read More
ITThe APS “must double its digital workforce by 2030” to keep pace with demand
The Data Transformation Agency estimates a digital talent shortfall of more than 8,000 people in Australia by 2030
Read More
