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Explore industries, careers and courses

Learn about industries that interest you including what jobs you can do and the courses you need to get there.

Explore careers by industry

Accommodation and food services

Industry information

This industry covers short-term accommodation, food and beverages and hospitality services and work. The focus is on giving a good customer experience.

Accommodation workers look after short-term holiday accommodation such as hotels, motels and caravan parks.

Food and beverage workers provide services such as preparation and serving of food and beverages to customers. This service covers businesses like cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, catering and takeaway food places.

This industry also covers hospitality work in clubs and other social and entertainment facilities.

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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate III in Hospitality
  • Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
  • Certificate III in Hairdressing
  • Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)
  • Certificate III in Events
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • restaurant managers and waitstaff
  • hotel managers and housekeepers
  • chefs, cooks and kitchenhands
  • amusement, fitness and sports centre managers.

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Administrative and support services

Industry information

This industry covers most aspects of managing and producing our natural resources. This includes growing crops, raising and caring for animals, managing timber growth and harvesting, and harvesting fish and other animals.

It also covers caring for natural environments such as parks, gardens and nature reserves, as well as growing and harvesting plants for people's private gardens.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Horticulture
  • Diploma of Landscape Design
  • Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
  • Certificate IV in Wool Classing
  • Diploma of Agriculture
  • Certificate III in Pet Grooming
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • farm manager
  • mixed crop and livestock farmer
  • gardeners
  • greenkeepers
  • veterinary nurse.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Industry information

This industry covers most aspects of managing and producing our natural resources. This includes growing crops, raising and caring for animals, managing timber growth and harvesting, and harvesting fish and other animals.

It also covers caring for natural environments such as parks, gardens and nature reserves, as well as growing and harvesting plants for people's private gardens.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Horticulture
  • Diploma of Landscape Design
  • Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
  • Certificate IV in Wool Classing
  • Diploma of Agriculture
  • Certificate III in Pet Grooming
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • farm manager
  • mixed crop and livestock farmer
  • gardeners
  • greenkeepers
  • veterinary nurse.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Arts and recreation services

Industry information

The arts and recreation services industry covers a broad range of roles that create enjoyable experiences for people.

The creative and performing arts sector includes organisations that produce live theatrical or musical performances as well as film, radio and television.

The design sector offers careers in areas such as graphic design, animation and illustration, furniture and object design, interior design, jewellery, textile and fashion design, as well as computer systems, gaming and web design.

The sports and recreation sector offer highly skilled roles such as coaches, instructors and sporting officials.

You'll also find within this industry travel and events professionals who are skilled at providing seamless experiences in conferences, tours, organised travel, festivals and expos.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Design Fundamentals
  • Certificate III in Fitness
  • Certificate III in Music Industry
  • Certificate III in Screen and Media
  • Certificate IV in Leisure and Health
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • dancers and actors
  • film, television, radio and stage directors
  • fashion, industrial and jewellery designers
  • graphic and web designers and illustrators
  • outdoor adventure guides.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Construction

Industry information

The construction sector is one of the most important sectors in the Australian economy covering residential and commercial buildings, civil engineering and infrastructure as well as services to ensure they are well maintained. Other services include preparing land for development, architectural and engineering, and the full range of trades.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
  • Certificate III in Carpentry
  • Certificate III in Plumbing
  • Certificate IV in Building and Construction
  • Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • construction managers
  • carpenters and joiners
  • electricians
  • plumbers
  • building and engineering technician.

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Education and training

Industry information

The education and training industry provides teaching and related support to everyone who is learning from early childhood right through to adult learners. Along with delivering lessons, roles in this industry cover curriculum design, creation of learning materials, and workplace training.

The industry also covers support roles such as teacher's aides, counsellors and career advisors, and special needs assistants.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
  • Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
  • Certificate III in Education Support
  • Certificate IV in School Age Education and Care
  • Diploma of Vocational Education and Training
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • early childhood teacher
  • child carer
  • special education teacher
  • vocation education teacher or trainer
  • education aide

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Electricity, gas, water and waste services

Industry information

This industry supplies and supports electricity, gas, water and waste services - important services that keep society working. With a focus on renewable and sustainable technologies, there are exciting careers to explore.

Electricity supply covers the generation, distribution and on-selling of electricity through power grid systems. This also includes renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydroelectricity.

Gas supply covers the distribution of gas, such as natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

Water supply covers:

  • water storage, treatment and distribution
  • drainage services
  • sewage collection and treatment.

Waste services covers:

  • waste collection, treatment and disposal
  • treatment of contamination (including land)
  • material recovery activities.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate III in Plumbing
  • Certificate III in Driving Operations
  • Diploma of Water Industry Operations
  • Advanced Diploma of Electrical - Engineering
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • technicians, plumbers and other trade workers
  • engineers – electrical, mechanical and civil
  • treatment plant and factory process workers
  • program and project administrators.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Financial and insurance services

Industry information

The financial and insurance services sector provides a range of services to help people look after and build their wealth, and protect their assets and property.

It covers businesses such as banks and credit unions, superannuation and insurance providers, investment management, stockbroking and securities firms. Businesses in this industry are both public and private, and can be small through to large, multinational companies.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Financial Services
  • Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
  • Diploma of Quality Auditing
  • Certificate IV in Finance and Mortgage Broking
  • Diploma of Accounting
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • insurance, money market and statistical clerks
  • financial investment advisers and managers
  • accounting clerks
  • financial brokers
  • general clerks.

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Health care and social assistance

Industry information

This industry offers a wide range of jobs in areas such as child care, aged care, health, mental health and disability. It also covers social work and community support roles, as well as dental and medical technical roles.

Workers in this industry can be found in public and private organisations, including hospitals, specialist medical and allied health centres, community support organisations and non-for profit organisations such as charities.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Individual Support
  • Certificate III of Community Services
  • Certificate IV in Disability
  • Certificate IV in Ageing
  • Certificate III in Dental Assisting
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • midwives
  • aged and disabled carers
  • welfare support workers
  • medical imaging technicians
  • occupational therapists

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Information media and telecommunications

Industry information

The information, media and telecommunications industry covers a wide variety of roles related to creating, storing and distributing information ( newspapers, books, films and music).

In this industry, you'll find people interested in creative and technical writing, photography and music production and backstage production services. It also covers computer infrastructure supporting creative activity, including database management, security, network management, systems analytics and associated technical trades.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Diploma of Information Technology
  • Diploma of Social Media Marketing
  • Certificate IV in Information Technology
  • Diploma of Screen and Media
  • Certificate IV in Cyber Security
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • management and organisation analysts
  • ICT business and systems analysts
  • software and application programmers
  • multimedia specialists and web developers
  • ICT support and test engineers.

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Manufacturing

Industry information

The manufacturing industry creates new products from raw materials. Products include food and beverages, chemicals, machinery and more. This industry also covers parts assembly, like prefabricated sections.

There are also high-tech careers in advanced manufacturing. These jobs require skilled workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate II in Engineering
  • Certificate III in High Volume Baking
  • Certificate III in Pulp and Paper Operations
  • Advanced Diploma of Supply Chain Management
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • welders, fitters and machinists
  • supply, distribution and procurement managers
  • industrial, mechanical and production engineers
  • factory workers, bakers and carpenters.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Mining

Industry information

The mining industry covers the extraction of minerals, oils and gas. Workers operate mines, quarries or oil and gas wells. The industry also covers mining support work such as exploration, drilling and oil and gas field support services.

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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate II in Drilling Operations
  • Certification II in Underground Coal Mining
  • Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
  • Diploma of Spatial Information Services
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • drillers, miners and shot firers
  • geologists, mining engineers and technicians
  • truck drivers, bulldozer and excavator operators
  • surveyors and cartographers.

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Other services

Industry information

This industry covers a broad range of personal services - religious, civic, professional and other interest group services. Included are roles that perform some types of maintenance and repair work, like car mechanics. Other services industry also covers staff that work in private households, like housekeepers and groundskeepers.

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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate III in Animal Care Services
  • Certificate III in Hairdressing
  • Certification IV in Fitness
  • Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • hairdressers or nail and beauty salon managers
  • counsellors and welfare support professionals
  • fitness instructors and sport coaches
  • civil celebrants, ministers of religion and funeral workers
  • mechanics, machinists and repairers.

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Professional, scientific and technical services

Industry information

This industry provides a range of roles such as management, and highly skilled technical and scientific services. Most of the services workers provide in this industry are to other businesses, and they often develop innovations which help other industries become more productive.

Career paths in this industry are varied, depending on the specific professional, scientific or technical area. Workers in this industry are usually highly trained and educated.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Business Administration
  • Certificate Iv in Leadership and Management
  • Certificate III in Pathology Collection
  • Diploma of Project Management
  • Diploma of Laboratory Technology
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • research and development manager
  • business administration manager
  • environmental scientist
  • laboratory technician
  • biological testing technical assistant.

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Public administration and safety

Industry information

The public administration and safety industry looks after the needs of the Australian public and provides federal, state and territory and local government services to them.

The public safety sector is responsible for the prevention of and protection from natural and other threats. It protects and preserves the safety and security of people, property, natural and cultural resources, and infrastructure.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Diploma of Community Development
  • Certificate IV in Local Government
  • Certificate IV in Government Investigations
  • Diploma of Government
  • Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • inspectors and regulatory officers
  • contract, program and project administrators
  • ambulance officers and paramedics
  • urban and regional planners
  • policy and planning managers.

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Rental, hiring and real estate services

Industry information

This industry covers renting and hiring of assets, and services that support that work. Assets may be ‘tangible’ such as vehicles and equipment, or intangible, like patents and trademarks. Real estate work – the renting, leasing and selling of property – is the most well-known part of this sector.

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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate III in Real Estate Practice
  • Certificate IV in Strata Community Management
  • Diploma of Business
  • Diploma of Paralegal Services
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • real estate agents, valuers and auctioneers
  • equipment hire managers and property managers
  • conveyancers and financial brokers.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Retail trade

Industry information

Retail trade deals with the process of buying and selling goods to the general public. This work covers both traditional retail operations (that is, from a physical location like a store) and online selling. The buying and selling of goods (which can include a commission) is also part of this industry).

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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate II in Retail Services
  • Certificate II in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles
  • Certificate III in Business
  • Diploma of Visual Merchandising
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • sales assistants, cashiers and store workers
  • retail buyers, purchasing and supply logistics staff
  • advertising and marketing professionals
  • visual arts and craft professionals.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Transport, postal and warehousing

Industry information

This industry looks after the movement of people and goods by road, rail, air and water. It also includes the storage and warehousing of goods, and all the support activities needed to keep things moving.

Freight and passenger transport businesses can have facilities, employees and equipment spread over many locations, and includes stevedoring, navigation, harbour and airport operations.

Postal and courier services include the activities of Australia Post and its contractors, and others who pick up letters and parcels for delivery.

Warehousing businesses manage and provide storage facilities for products while they are on their way to their destination.
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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry include:

  • Certificate III in Driving Operations
  • Certificate III in Warehousing Operations
  • Certificate III in Maritime Operations (integrated Rating)
  • Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics
  • Certificate IV in Aviation (Aviation Supervision)
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • delivery drivers
  • bus and coach drivers
  • transport and dispatch clerks
  • supply, distribution and procurement managers
  • logistics clerks.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

Wholesale trade

Industry information

The wholesale industry buys and sells goods to businesses, usually in high volume. Their transactions are commission-based, and they work as agents or brokers between manufacturers and retailers. Wholesalers work from offices or warehouses, and do not have a storefront to display their goods and attract customers.

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How do I get into the industry?

Some courses in this industry may include:

  • Certificate III in International Freight Forwarding (Operator)
  • Certificate III in Retail
  • Certificate III in Business to Business Sales
  • Certificate IV in Supply Chain Operations
Jobs in this industry

Potential jobs may include:

  • purchasing and supply logistic staff
  • importers, exporters and wholesalers
  • supply, distribution and procurement managers
  • business brokers and sales representatives.

Select a sub category to view courses and compare providers

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For lifelong careers information and to access free professional career guidance visit Careers NSW.

Not sure what courses are available or how to enrol? Contact your nearest Training Services NSW office on 13 28 11 to help you make connections with the right organisations and people in your region.

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How long will it take to complete this qualification?

Short Course

All short courses are currently shown as under 4 months duration, based on the Department of Education's internal data analysis. Ask your provider for more information.

Qualification

Duration information is based on 20 hours of class time per week and uses aggregated data reported to the Department by Smart and Skilled providers.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

The duration indicates contract term which includes both formal training and full-time employment under a training contract. This is based on aggregated data reported to the Department by Smart and Skilled providers. Click here for more information about doing an apprenticeship or traineeship and ask your provider for guidance on your individual circumstances.