Most people enter tech with a HECS debt, a personal loan, or a quiet sense of financial dread.
I accidentally did the opposite.
Every qualification I’ve earned, TAFE, university, under‑grad and post‑grad ended up costing me almost nothing.
Not because I’m a genius.
Not because I gamed the system.
But because I learned one simple truth:
Education is only expensive if you don’t know where the free doors are.
Here are the four doors I walked through and how you can walk through them too.
1. The Traineeship: A Fully Paid IT Degree (Plus a Paid Study Day Every Week)
This qualification didn’t cost me a cent.
I landed a traineeship where:
- My employer paid for the entire IT degree
- I earned a full‑time wage while studying
- I got one paid day off every week specifically for study
- I gained real experience that later became the backbone of my cyber career
And here’s something most people don’t realise:
There are different types of traineeships.
- TAFE traineeships (Cert III, Cert IV, Diploma) – very common
- University traineeships (full degrees paid for) – rarer, but absolutely real if you keep an eye out
Most people overlook traineeships because they sound “entry level”.
But they’re one of the only pathways where you get paid to study instead of paying for study.
This was the moment everything clicked:
If you align study with work, education stops being a financial burden.
This is where I completed my Bachelor of Information Technology which became the foundation for everything that came next.
2. TAFE: I Applied for a Scholarship on a Whim – They Paid Me
Before I ever started university, I completed a Diploma in Network Engineering through TAFE.
And I did something most students never bother doing:
I applied for a scholarship.
It took maybe ten minutes.
They gave me:
- $500 cash, and
- They covered my TAFE fees
And here’s the key point:
I applied for every scholarship I was eligible for.
If I met the criteria, I applied. Simple as that.
This alone puts you ahead of most students who never apply for anything.
3. University: $1,500 for Filling Out a Form
At university, I repeated the same strategy.
No hardship essay.
No portfolio.
No academic flexing.
I applied for a scholarship.
They gave me $1,500.
That covered textbooks, transport, and then some and it reinforced the same lesson:
Most people miss out on free money because they assume they won’t get it.
4. Post‑Grad: Two Graduate Certificates, 75% CSP, and Half of the Remainder Paid
My post‑grad journey was the biggest surprise.
I completed two Graduate Certificates, and for both:
- I received a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) that covered 75% of the cost
- My employer paid half of the remaining 25%
- Leaving me with only the final small portion to pay
Meaning I paid almost nothing out of pocket for two graduate‑level qualifications!
The Real Lesson: Education Is Expensive Only If You Don’t Know Your Options
Across all my qualifications, I paid almost nothing.
Not because I’m lucky, but because I consistently did three things:
- I aligned study with work
- Traineeships, employer‑funded training, and industry‑aligned programs are massively underused.
- I applied for every scholarship I was eligible for
- Not every scholarship just the ones that genuinely fit my situation.
- I used government funding properly
- CSPs, fee subsidies, and targeted programs exist, but you have to know they’re there.
How to Get Free University in Australia (The Real Pathways)
How You Can Do This Too
This is the part most people skip:
You can replicate almost all of this today!
Here’s the roadmap.
1. Start With Affordable Entry‑Level Certifications
They’re affordable and instantly boost your credibility.
Microsoft Fundamentals (900‑series)
| Certification | What It Covers |
| AZ‑900 | Cloud fundamentals (Azure) |
| SC‑900 | Security, compliance & identity |
| MS‑900 | Microsoft 365 fundamentals |
| AI‑900 | Artificial intelligence fundamentals |
| DP‑900 | Data fundamentals |
Perfect for:
- School leavers
- Career changers
- People with no experience
2. Enrol in TAFE (Even One Subject Helps)
This is how I got my traineeship.
I was already studying the degree part‑time, and I had a Diploma in Network Engineering behind me.
That instantly put me ahead of applicants who weren’t studying at all.
Being in study shows momentum, employers love that.
3. Apply for Traineeships (TAFE or Uni)
Remember:
- TAFE traineeships = common
- University traineeships = rare but real
Set alerts for:
- “Traineeship”
- “Junior IT”
- “IT Support”
- “Cyber Security Trainee”
On:
4. Apply for Scholarships (Only the Ones You’re Eligible For)
You don’t need to apply for everything, just the ones that fit.
Most people never apply.
That’s why the people who do apply often get them.
5. Use Government Funding Properly
Look for:
- CSP places
- Fee‑free TAFE
- State‑funded programs
- Employer co‑funding
- Upskilling grants
6. Customise Your Resume for Every Role
A generic resume gets generic results.
A tailored resume gets interviews.
Match:
- Keywords
- Skills
- Tools
- Certifications
…directly to the job description.
7. Build Momentum (My Rule)
Here’s the rule I’ve lived by:
Never stop studying until you have the job you want.
Always be working toward the next thing. A certification, a course, a skill, something that aligns with your career goals.
Momentum beats perfection every time.
One of the ways I kept momentum recently was working through the HTB Web Exploitation pathway. I wrote a full breakdown of that journey here.
8. Get Some Real Experience (Even Short‑Term Contract Work)
If you haven’t landed a traineeship yet, get your foot in the door with:
- Help desk contract work
- Service desk roles
- Desktop support
- IT support temp roles
Even 3–6 months of experience can completely change your trajectory.
This is your “last resort” step, ideally you’ll get a traineeship first, but this is a powerful fallback.
FAQ
Do traineeships really pay for university degrees?
Yes, they’re rare, but they exist. Most traineeships fund TAFE, but some employers partner with universities to fully fund degrees.
Do you need to be young to get a traineeship?
No. I’ve worked with older adult career changers, age isn’t a barrier. The real barrier is that the pay in traineeships is quite low, which can make it harder for older workers. In that case, a traineeship might not be the right choice for you.
Do scholarships require high grades?
Not always. Many scholarships are based on equity, location, background, or simply being enrolled.
Is a CSP guaranteed?
No, but many postgraduate courses do offer CSP places. Always check with your university when applying to make sure the course you choose actually includes a CSP‑discounted option.
Do employers really pay for study?
Yes. Many organisations have professional development budgets or co‑funding arrangements.
Is it too late to start if I’m older?
Absolutely not. Cyber is full of people who started in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Your Next Step Starts Now
The opportunities are there waiting for you. If you want a debt‑free path into tech, start moving toward your goal today, the system rewards momentum.
