Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
Qualification Level
Accredited courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
A Help Desk Officer gives front-line IT support to users at work. They fix software and hardware faults, handle support requests, and guide users through IT systems. Around 46,200 people work in this role across Australia, and demand is rated strong (Your Career, 2025).
Help Desk Officers sit between everyday users and the broader IT team. They sort requests through ticketing systems and fix issues on the first call where they can. Complex faults go to specialist staff. Good people skills matter just as much as tech knowledge in this role.
Core tasks include finding faults, setting up software, managing user accounts, and writing up fixes. Officers also run quick training sessions to help users get more from their tools. This coaching side of the role grows with time and seniority.
The average salary is around $75,000 a year, with more for senior officers (SEEK, 2026). The role is common in finance, health, government, and business services. It leads clearly to senior IT support, systems admin, and IT management.
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.
