IT stands for information technology and refers to the use of computers and other devices to create, process, store, secure, and exchange electronic data. IT support specialists troubleshoot problems so computers and networks run correctly.

IT support is troubleshooting and problem solving in the field of information technology, including setting up computers for users within an organisation, overseeing computer systems, and debugging whenever a problem arises.

Businesses, nonprofits, school systems, and government organisations all rely on technology. Computers break, systems fail, phones die—when that happens, we need experts to fix them. IT support is all about troubleshooting and problem solving when the tech fails, and providing great customer service along the way. A job in IT support can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a range of organisations across many different industries.

A career in IT can encompass many different things. Types of careers in IT may include jobs working with...

• Hardware and infrastructure
• Information security
• Cloud computing technologies
• Computer networks
• Storage and data

A job in IT can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a range of organisations across many different industries. In-demand IT jobs include:

• Database administrator
• IT specialist
• Tech support specialist
• Systems analyst
• Network engineer
• Help desk technician
• IT support specialist
• IT technician
• Computer user specialist
• IT assistant

An IT certificate is an end-of-program certification earned by completing a professional training program and demonstrating competency in core areas. A certificate in information technology can be the start of a promising career. The Google IT Support Certificate curriculum is developed and taught by Googlers with years of experience in the field. More than 150 companies in the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for entry-level jobs.

There are two Google IT certificates available: an introductory-level IT Support Certificate and an advanced-level IT Automation with Python Certificate.

IT courses included in the IT Support program are ...

• Technical Support Fundamentals
• The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
• Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
• System Administration and IT - Infrastructure Services
• IT Security: Defence Against the Digital Dark Arts

There are no prerequisites for the IT Support Certificate. The program is open to anyone interested in learning the foundational skills of IT support, whether you've been tinkering with IT on your own, or even if you are completely new to the field.

Courses in the IT Automation with Python curriculum include:

• Crash Course on Python
• Using Python to Interact with the Operating System
• Introduction to Git and GitHub
• Troubleshooting and Debugging Techniques
• Configuration Management and the Cloud
• Automating Real-World Tasks with Python

The prerequisites for the IT Automation with Python Certificate include familiarity with basic IT concepts and operating systems, files, and processes; and networking and data management. The program builds on your IT foundations to help you take your career to the next level. No previous knowledge of coding is required.

Python is a general-purpose computer programming language used to build websites and software, automate tasks, and conduct data analysis. Python is used to automate common system administrator tasks, and it's one of the most in-demand programming languages used by employers today.

There are many advantages to learning Python programming. Adding Python to your skill set builds on your IT knowledge foundation and can prepare you to advance in your IT career. Knowing how to write code to solve problems and automate solutions is a crucial skill for anybody working in IT today. Python is one of the most popular programming languages in the world.

The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates were designed and built by subject-matter experts and senior practitioners at Google — real-world professionals with strong backgrounds in IT support, working in fields such as operations engineering, security, site reliability engineering, and systems administration. The certificates were created to equip learners with theoretical and practical knowledge and real-life problem-solving skills to be successful in entry-level jobs or achieve career advancement.

The Google IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificates are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese on Coursera, an online learning platform that offers access to online courses.

We're proud to partner with some of Australia's leading employers to connect graduates with relevant job opportunities. Companies like Canva, IAG, Optus, Woolworths Group, Accenture, Omnicom Media Group and Auspost are part of the Google Career Certificates Employer Consortium in Australia and are interested in receiving applications from graduates.

Google created the IT Support and IT Automation with Python Certificate programs because we faced the same issue many other companies had — open IT roles and not enough qualified candidates to fill them. So a few years ago, we began working with a nonprofit organisation to provide training and pathways to roles in technical support at Google. We learned that not only is IT support a highly teachable field, but that we could teach someone completely new to the industry the IT fundamentals in under six months. We decided to build an IT training program on Coursera, created entirely by Googlers who are expert in IT support so this training could be available to everyone.

In Australia, the subscription cost is $39 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost. Google Career Certificates are completely self-paced, and many learners complete their Certificate in three to six months.

In other countries where Google Career Certificates are available, your cost may be lower. To see the exact cost in your local currency, please visit the Coursera page and view the enrolment options.

The Google IT Support Certificate costs $39 USD per month on Coursera after an initial 7-day free trial period. All Google Career Certificates are completely self-paced. At about 10 hours of study per week, many learners complete a Google Career Certificate in three to six months.

If you are interested in financial assistance for the Google IT Support or IT Automation with Python Certificates, you may be eligible for financial aid via Coursera through the course page. Recipients of financial aid will have full access to course content and assignments required to earn a certificate. To apply, go to the certificate course page on Coursera and click the “Financial aid available” link next to the “Enroll” button.