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CourseFinder helps you discover and enroll in top courses from Australia’s leading providers, making it easy to kick-start or continue your career journey.
Follow Us
© 2026 CourseFinder Australia Pty Ltd, All Rights Reserved
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What is a Penetration Tester?
What will I do?
What skills do I need?
Resources
A Penetration Tester is an ethical hacker who tests computer systems for security gaps. They simulate cyberattacks on networks, apps, and systems. This helps organisations find and fix weaknesses before real hackers can exploit them.
Penetration Testers plan and run security tests on behalf of their clients. They analyse results and write clear reports that explain what they found. They also recommend steps to fix any gaps they uncover.
Day-to-day tasks include running vulnerability scans, testing web apps, and probing network defences. Penetration Testers use tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Wireshark. They work closely with IT and security teams to put fixes in place.
Demand for Penetration Testers is strong across Australia. Employment in ICT Security roles is projected to grow 14.2% from 2024 to 2029 (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). That is more than double the national average growth rate.
Penetration Testers need a strong mix of technical and communication skills. On the technical side, they must understand networks, operating systems, and how applications are built. Familiarity with tools such as Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap is essential.
Programming skills in Python, Bash, or PowerShell help testers write custom exploits and automate tasks. Knowledge of web application security standards such as OWASP is also important. Testers must stay up to date as new threats emerge constantly.
Strong written and verbal skills are just as important as coding ability. Penetration Testers must explain complex findings to non-technical stakeholders clearly. An analytical mindset and an ethical approach are core to the role.
CourseFinder makes every effort to ensure the information we provide is correct at the time of publication. We welcome your input to help keep our career profiles as accurate and up to date as possible. All queries and feedback will be taken into consideration as we conduct periodic reviews of our content. Add your voice to the conversation!
Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.
