Open Courses

Australia offers 80 open courses courses in 2026, ranging from Short Courses to Master's Degree. You can study open courses fully online or on-campus through registered RTOs, TAFEs, and universities. Courses typically take 1 month to 6 years to complete. Graduates commonly move into roles such as Assistant Web Developer, Web Developer, Java Developer or Project Administrator across Australian businesses.

20 Courses

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting offered by Open Colleges is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to thrive in the dental industry.

Top Course

HLT35021

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

The HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting offered by Open Colleges is designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge required to thrive in the dental industry.

Online

Dental Assistant,Dental Hygiene Assistant,Dental Prosthetist Assistant,Dental Receptionist,Dental Therapy Assistant

Price may vary

Up to 18 months

Front-end PLUS

The Front-end PLUS course, offered by Learning People, equips individuals with essential skills for a successful career in front-end development.

Front-end PLUS

The Front-end PLUS course, offered by Learning People, equips individuals with essential skills for a successful career in front-end development.

Online

Assistant Web Developer,Web Developer

Price may vary

215 hours (3 months full time; 6 months part time)

CHC43415

Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

The CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, offered by Open Colleges, is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the leisure and health sectors.

CHC43415

Certificate IV in Leisure and Health

The CHC43415 Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, offered by Open Colleges, is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the leisure and health sectors.

Online

Activity Officer,Aged Care Worker,Community Support Worker,Lifestyle Coordinator,Support Worker

Price may vary

Up to 18 months

Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education offered by UTS Online is designed for registered nurses who aspire to enhance their teaching and leadership skills within the healthcare sector.

Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education offered by UTS Online is designed for registered nurses who aspire to enhance their teaching and leadership skills within the healthcare sector.

Online

Clinical Nurse Consultant,Clinical Nurse Educator,Clinical Nurse Specialist,Nurse Unit Manager

Price may vary

8 months

CHC43215

Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

The CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs offered by Open Colleges is designed for individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the field of drug and alcohol support.

CHC43215

Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

The CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs offered by Open Colleges is designed for individuals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the field of drug and alcohol support.

Online

Case Worker,Community Support Worker,Detoxification Worker,Drug and Alcohol Worker,Family Support Worker,Outreach Worker,Support Worker

Price may vary

Max 18 months

Java Novice to Javanista

The Java Novice to Javanista course, offered by Learning People, is designed to empower aspiring developers with the essential skills needed to thrive in the world of programming.

Java Novice to Javanista

The Java Novice to Javanista course, offered by Learning People, is designed to empower aspiring developers with the essential skills needed to thrive in the world of programming.

Online

Java Developer

Price may vary

84 hours (Full time: 1 - 2 months, Part time: 3 - 4 months)

Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offered by UNSW Online is designed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills to foster inclusive environments in various professional settings.

Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Online

Diversity and Inclusion Manager,HR Consultant,HR Manager,Human Resources Director

Price may vary

Self-paced; complete in as little as 8 months

Customer Experience Strategy and Design

The Customer Experience Strategy and Design course offered by RMIT Online equips participants with essential skills to craft personalised customer experiences.

Customer Experience Strategy and Design

The Customer Experience Strategy and Design course offered by RMIT Online equips participants with essential skills to craft personalised customer experiences.

Online

Customer Service Manager,Product Manager,Service Designer

Price may vary

6 weeks (5 - 8 hours per week)

CHC43315

Certificate IV in Mental Health

The CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health offered by Open Colleges is designed to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required to support people experiencing mental health issues.

CHC43315

Certificate IV in Mental Health

Online

Community Support Worker,Disability Services Instructor,Disability Support Worker,Mental Health Nurse,Mental Health Officer,Mental Health Outreach Worker,Rehabilitation Counsellor

Price may vary

Max 18 months

4.2

Software Engineering: Advanced Certificate

The Software Engineering: Advanced Certificate course offered by Academy Xi is designed to equip participants with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Software Engineering: Advanced Certificate

4.2

Online

Full Stack Developer,Mobile Application Developer,Software Developer,Software or Applications Programmer,Web Application Developer,Web Developer,Web Development Manager,Website Administrator,Website Developer

Price may vary

10 months, 20-25 hours per week

Network+ and CCNA

The Network+ and CCNA course offered by Learning People is designed to equip individuals with essential skills in network administration and IT.

Network+ and CCNA

The Network+ and CCNA course offered by Learning People is designed to equip individuals with essential skills in network administration and IT.

Online

Help Desk Officer,IT Support Technician,IT Systems Administrator,Network Administrator,Network Security Analyst,Network Support Officer

Price may vary

Approx. 80 hours

Graduate Certificate in Civil Engineering

The Graduate Certificate in Civil Engineering offered by the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is designed to equip students with practical skills and knowledge across four high-impact courses drawn from the university’s Master of Civil Engineering.

Graduate Certificate in Civil Engineering

Online

Civil Engineer,Mining Engineer,Structural Engineer

Price may vary

8 months - 1 year part-time

BSB40120

Certificate IV in Business (Operations)

The BSB40120 Certificate IV in Business (Operations) offered by MCI Institute is designed to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in various business environments.

BSB40120

Certificate IV in Business (Operations)

Online

Account Manager,Business Operations Manager,Office Administrator,Operations Officer,Team Leader

Price may vary

12-months

BSB50420

Diploma of Leadership and Management

The BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management offered by UNE Partnerships is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and managerial skills.

BSB50420

Diploma of Leadership and Management

The BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management offered by UNE Partnerships is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and managerial skills.

Online,Workplace

Online

Executive Officer,Manager,Supervisor

Price may vary

2 Years

ACM20121

Certificate II in Animal Care

The ACM20121 Certificate II in Animal Care, offered by the Pet Stylist Academy, is designed for individuals passionate about working with animals and seeking a fulfilling career in the animal care industry.

ACM20121

Certificate II in Animal Care

Online,Workplace

Online

Assistant Dog Groomer,Pet Shop Assistant,Veterinary Assistant

Price may vary

up to 12 Months

CPC30220

Certificate III in Carpentry (VIC Only)

The CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry offered by the Trade Institute of Victoria is a comprehensive course designed for individuals eager to embark on a career in carpentry without the need for an apprenticeship.

CPC30220

Certificate III in Carpentry (VIC Only)

Classroom,On Campus

VIC

Carpenter,Construction Apprentice,Construction Worker

Price may vary

64 weeks

BSB40120

Certificate IV in Business (Administration)

The BSB40120 Certificate IV in Business (Administration) offered by Open Colleges is designed to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge required to thrive in various administrative roles within the business sector.

BSB40120

Certificate IV in Business (Administration)

Online

Accounts Administrator,Administration Supervisor,Administrative Assistant,Business Administrator,Business Analyst,Clerical Worker,Contract Administrator,Office Administrator

Price may vary

Self-paced, max 18 months

SIR30116

5.0

Certificate III in Community Pharmacy (On Campus WA Only)

The SIR30116 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy, offered by Gateway Training Academy, is designed to equip learners with the essential skills needed to thrive as pharmacy assistants.

SIR30116

Certificate III in Community Pharmacy (On Campus WA Only)

The SIR30116 Certificate III in Community Pharmacy, offered by Gateway Training Academy, is designed to equip learners with the essential skills needed to thrive as pharmacy assistants.

5.0

On Campus

Pharmacy Assistant

Price may vary

3 Months

CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ certification offered by Learning People is designed to equip individuals with essential skills in system security, network infrastructure, access control, and organisational security.

CompTIA Security+

Online

Information Security Analyst,IT Security Engineer,Network Security Administrator,Network Security Analyst,Security Analyst,Security Engineer

Price may vary

40 guided learning hours

Graduate Certificate in Operational Excellence

The Graduate Certificate in Operational Excellence, offered by AIM Business School, is a comprehensive online postgraduate qualification designed for ambitious professionals seeking to enhance their skills in leadership and operational improvement.

Graduate Certificate in Operational Excellence

Online

Business Process Analyst,Operations Manager,Quality Assurance Manager

Price may vary

From 4 months full-time

Frequently Asked Questions

What is open courses?

Open courses in Australia are flexible study options that anyone can apply for, with 80 courses available in 2026 across Short Courses, Diplomas, Bachelor and Master's Degree programmes. They often provide entry into areas like IT and web development, without needing a long academic history. Many options listed under IT Industry are designed to build practical, job-ready skills.

How long does a open courses course take in Australia?

Across Australia, open courses can run from 1 month to 6 years, depending on the qualification level and study load. A typical Certificate III or Certificate IV often takes 6–12 months, while Diplomas can take 12–24 months. Bachelor degrees usually span 3–4 years, and a Master's Degree may extend study to the upper end of that 6-year range.

Can I study open courses online in Australia?

Yes, many open courses are available fully online, alongside on-campus and blended options through RTOs, TAFEs, and universities. Students can choose self-paced or structured timetables, often with video lectures, online labs and virtual classrooms. Comparing providers on platforms such as Online Courses helps find programmes that match work, family and location needs.

How much does a open courses course cost?

Course fees vary widely by level, from short, skills-focused programmes through to full Bachelor and Master's degrees. Certificate III and Certificate IV courses are generally the most affordable, with Diplomas and higher education costing more. Eligible students may access VET Student Loans, fee-free TAFE in some states, JobTrainer initiatives or other state-subsidised training to reduce upfront costs.

What jobs can I get with a open courses qualification?

Graduates can move into entry-level and mid-level roles such as Assistant Web Developer, Web Developer, Java Developer and Project Administrator. Some advanced open courses also prepare learners for positions like Software Engineer or Front End Developer. For more detail on typical pathways, explore the dedicated Web Developer Career guide.