Government-Funded Free TAFE Cybersecurity Courses

Cybercrime is becoming a big problem in Australia. According to the ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report, the Australian Cyber Security Hotline answered 36,700 calls for help in 2023-2024, or about a hundred daily. The average amount lost per self-reported incident was $30,700–we’re relinquishing a lot of money to online crime.

In response, our Government has committed $20 billion by 2034 to enhance our cyber capabilities. A chunk of that budget goes towards free cybersecurity courses at TAFE.

Government-Funded Free Cybersecurity Training

For budding young cybersecurity professionals, the best way to get your foot in the door is through a free Technical and Further Education (TAFE) course. Rather than tackling perplexing online modules, you’ll work face-to-face with a friendly cybersecurity tutor and collaborate in person with your peers. Research shows on-site education is more effective than online learning, and you certainly can’t complain about the price.

About 180,000 free positions are available across 110 institutions. Courses range from Certificate I through IV, as well as diplomas and advanced diplomas. You’ll also find free, general IT courses to get your PC skills up to scratch.

Although the money comes from the Federal Government, the States and Territories administer TAFE. See their respective websites to find free government cyber security training near you:

• ACT TAFE 
• NSW TAFE
• NT TAFE
• QLD TAFE
• SA TAFE
• VIC TAFE
• WA TAFE

Not all TAFE cybersecurity courses are free. Before enrolling, check to see whether yours is part of the “Free TAFE” program.

Requirements vary between courses, but commonly include: 

• Being an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Being 17-24 years old
• Being unemployed or underemployed
• Not being currently enrolled in another training program

Check the website of your preferred TAFE course to see which requirements apply to you.

Free Online Cybersecurity Courses for Beginners

Can’t find a free TAFE cybersecurity course near you? Or perhaps work commitments require you to study at odd hours? 

The good news is there is a myriad of paid and free online cybersecurity training you can complete at your own pace.

Coursera

Coursera is a widely popular online education platform with a huge selection of cybersecurity courses, both “free” and paid. Some of the most popular beginner-level freebies include Cybersecurity for Everyone (University of Maryland), Introduction to Cybersecurity Fundamentals (Kevin Cardwell), and Data & Cybersecurity (Campus BBVA). 

But there’s a catch. Many “free” Coursera courses require a subscription to Coursera Plus, which costs US$59 per month. The plus of Coursera Plus is you get a nice certificate to decorate your resume and LinkedIn profile upon completion.

udemy

Another big online learning platform is udemy, which also offers stacks of free online cybersecurity classes. 

Cyber Security for Beginners Course  – Level 01 has a massive following on the platform and receives overwhelmingly positive feedback. Watching the video content is free, but you must pay if you want a certificate and instructor interaction. 

Like Coursera, udemy has a subscription plan that offers decent value for motivated online learners.

edX

The ever-popular edX also has a bunch of free online computer security courses, some from big-name institutions like Harvard and IBM. 

edX does both premium and free “audit” courses. The latter allows you to access and complete all the material, but unlike premium, you won’t get graded assessments or a certificate of completion. 

The company also offers an annual subscription service (USD$349), which works out good value if you’ve got big study goals. 

Free University Cybersecurity Courses

In addition to the big online education platforms, some well-known American colleges (unis) offer free online courses for cybersecurity. 

• CS50’s Introduction to Cybersecurity from Harvard University.
• Advanced Cybersecurity Program Preview from Stanford University
• Internet History, Technology, and Security from the University of Michigan

Free Cybersecurity Certifications

Certificates are a great way to demonstrate your expertise. Although not free, it’s worth forking out for a certificate if you complete any of the aforementioned Coursera, udemy, or edX programs. 

There are several other cybersecurity certificates worth considering:

• Google Cybersecurity Certificate
• IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
• Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate
• Cisco Security Certifications

Again, these may be free to complete but will ultimately require payment to receive an official certification. But it’s a worthy investment for a future in a well-paying field.

How to Choose the Right Cyber Security Course?

Of course, not every course is suitable for everyone. 

If you have the time, grades, and financial means, a Bachelor’s IT degree majoring in cybersecurity is the best first step. Well-known institutions like Macquarie University, Victoria University, Deakin University, and RMIT (and many others) offer such programs. A HECS plan lets you pay off your debt once you start earning those big cybersec bucks. 

Not keen on uni? A free TAFE cybersecurity course is the next best thing. Most will require you to attend in-person training with a non-flexible schedule. 

Should you work full-time hours or have other commitments that prevent you from attending scheduled classes, online learning is the way to go. All our recommendations have a solid reputation, so choose the course that best addresses your knowledge gaps. 
To spruce up your CV, look for free online cybersecurity courses with certificates. Unless you’re really struggling for cash, it’s worth paying a bit extra to get certified.

Essential Cybersecurity Skills You’ll Learn

Every cybersecurity course is different. Some of the fundamentals you might learn on a beginner cybersecurity course include: 

• The basics of ethical hacking and penetration testing
• How to identify and orchestrate phishing, hacking, brute force, and dictionary attacks
• The importance of multi-factor authentication and password managers
• Passcodes, passwords, and SSO
• How to enhance security with biometrics
• Secret-key, public-key encryption, and digital signatures
• Cybersecurity career paths and how to get your first job
• Configuring proxies and firewalls
• Malware such as viruses, worms, botnets
• Anonymisation and de-identification
• Full-disk encryption and ransomware
• Cookies, sessions, and incognito mode
• How to securely delete data
• The difference between closed-source and open-source software

This knowledge gives you the basics to start a career–or further your studies–in cybersecurity. 
If you just want to learn how to stay safe online, consider a free course like Cyber Criminals Want Your Information: Stop Them Cold! Or even better, read the actionable cybersecurity best practices advice in the next section.

Cybersecurity Best Practices

You don’t need to be a Computer Science wizard to protect your data online. The everyday PC user with basic computer literacy can adopt cybersecurity best practices.

Creating Secure Passwords

Strong passwords protect you against social engineering hacks and brute-force attacks. Create unique passwords with at least 16 characters, combining upper/lower case letters, symbols, and numbers. Don’t include any identifiable info such as birthdays or nicknames. 
Learn more about how to prevent your passwords from being hacked.

Using Password Managers for Online Security

A typical person has dozens or hundreds of online accounts, so it’s impossible to remember unique 16-character passwords for them all. The Best Password Managers automatically create strong passwords and store them on your behalf.

Understanding Malware & Cyber Threats

If malware is left to fester on your PC, it could have a significant impact on performance and put your sensitive personal information at risk. Our Virus, Spyware & Malware Removal Guide teaches you how to identify and cleanse malicious code from your computer.

Digital Security Checks & Protecting Personal Data

Whether you’re a householder or business owner, poor cybersecurity puts your finances and personal data at risk. A Digital Security Check from Geeks2U will fortify your online defences and safeguard against scammers, hackers, and malware. 

In as little as one hour, our technicians will analyse your protocols, identify any weaknesses, and provide actionable resolutions. From setting up multi-factor authentication to configuring password managers and fine-tuning your privacy settings, we’ll tighten up your security in one fast and affordable session. 
Contact us today for a quote.

FAQ

• What are the best free cybersecurity courses available?

  The Government-funded TAFE cybersecurity courses currently offer the best free option, with more interactive, in-depth learning than any free online course on cybersecurity.

• Do free cybersecurity courses provide certificates?

  Free courses generally don’t include certificates–you must pay extra for these. The free Government-funded TAFE cybersecurity courses are an exception.

• How can I get government-funded cybersecurity training?

  Check the official TAFE website in your state to see if there are any free cybersecurity courses available near you. Take note of the requirements.

• Is a free cybersecurity certification enough for a job?

  A free cybersecurity course can help you get a job, but there is no guarantee. Think of it like bonus points on a resume. Work experience, networking, and formal education are still highly valued.