Can you become an IT project manager without an IT degree?

Yes. Many IT project managers don't have a computer science or IT degree. Employers usually care more about your experience delivering technology projects and your understanding of how technical teams work.

Do IT project managers need to know how to code?

No. You don't need to write code, but you do need to understand what your technical team is doing well enough to plan the work, spot risks and explain progress to the business.

How long does it take to become an IT project manager?

It depends mostly on how long it takes to build experience with technology projects. A Diploma of Project Management typically takes 12-18 months, and certifications such as PRINCE2 Foundation typically take 20 hours. Building a track record of leading IT projects usually takes longer than the study.

Is PMP or PRINCE2 better for IT project managers?

Neither is better in every case. Both are used by Australian employers. PRINCE2 is common in government and large organisations, while PMP is widely recognised internationally but requires several years of experience leading projects. Check which one appears in job ads for the roles you want.

Can I study IT project management online?

Yes. All project management courses currently listed on learning.com.au are delivered online. Some are self-paced, and others follow a set schedule, so check the study mode on each course.

How to become an IT project manager in Australia

Key facts

Common ways in: Project management from another industry, or IT roles such as business analyst, developer or support
Nationally recognised qualifications: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920), Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820)
Higher education option: Graduate Certificate in Project Management
Industry certifications: PMP, PRINCE2, Agile and Scrum certifications
People employed: About 49,600 ICT project managers
Study mode: Study online
Qualification legally required?: No
Technical degree required?: No, but you need to understand how technology projects work

What does an IT project manager do?

An IT project manager leads technology projects from planning through to go-live. They work between technical teams, such as developers, engineers and testers, and the business people who will use what’s being built.

Typical projects include moving systems to the cloud, rolling out new software across an organisation, upgrading networks or security, and building new digital products or websites.

Day-to-day tasks

Most IT project managers spend their week on a mix of:

Planning and scoping: defining what the project will deliver and breaking it into stages or sprints.
Working with technical teams: tracking progress with developers, engineers and testers, often in tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps or Microsoft Project.
Managing vendors: coordinating software suppliers, contractors and cloud providers.
Handling risks and issues: spotting technical, security and timing problems early and deciding what to do.
Managing budgets: tracking spend on staff, licences, hardware and contractors.
Reporting to stakeholders: explaining progress and technical decisions in plain language.
Preparing for go-live: planning testing, training, cutover and support for users.

Agile, Waterfall and hybrid delivery

IT projects are run using different delivery methods. Waterfall projects move through set stages, such as design, build and test, one after another. Agile projects deliver work in short cycles, often called sprints, and adjust as they go. Many organisations use a hybrid of both, so IT project managers benefit from understanding each approach.

How is an IT project manager different from a project manager or scrum master?

An IT project manager is a project manager who specialises in technology projects. A scrum master is a different role: they help an Agile team work well, but the IT project manager is responsible for the project’s success or failure, including budget and scope.

	Project manager	IT project manager	Scrum master
Main focus	Delivering projects in any industry	Delivering technology projects	Helping an Agile team follow Scrum and remove blockers
Accountable for	Time, budget and scope	Time, budget and scope, plus technical delivery risks	How well the team works, not the project outcome
Technical knowledge	Depends on the industry	Needs a working understanding of technology projects	Needs a strong understanding of Agile and Scrum
Common certifications	CAPM, PMP, PRINCE2	PMP, PRINCE2, Agile certifications	Scrum certifications such as PSM or CSM

Do you need a qualification or IT background to be an IT project manager?

No qualification is legally required, and you don’t need to be able to code. You do need to understand how technology projects run, the language technical teams use and the risks that are specific to IT work, such as security, data and system integration.

Employers often look for a mix of project management experience and technology experience. Many job ads list a qualification or certification such as PMP, PRINCE2 or an Agile certification as preferred or essential, so check ads for the roles you want.

How do you become an IT project manager?

There are two common routes: project managers who move into technology, and IT professionals who move into project management. The steps below work for both.

Start from your strengths If you already manage projects, focus on learning how technology projects work. If you work in IT, focus on building project management skills.
Get involved in technology projects Volunteer for system rollouts, upgrades or software changes at work, even in a support or coordination role.
Learn Agile as well as traditional methods Many IT teams use Agile or hybrid approaches, so understanding Scrum and sprints is valuable.
Choose a qualification or certification that fits your stage A Diploma of Project Management or PRINCE2 suits people building project skills. PMP suits experienced project managers.
Build a track record of delivering technology projects Employers hiring IT project managers usually want evidence you can manage delivery, people, budgets and resources on technology projects, so start with smaller projects and build up.

Browse courses

Which course or certification should you choose to become an IT project manager?

The right option depends on your experience. Nationally recognised qualifications build broad project management skills you can apply to IT. Industry certifications show you know a specific framework, and many IT employers ask for them by name. Preparing for them takes time and money, so choose the option that fits your stage.

Option	Type	Best suited to	Entry requirements	Typical duration
Diploma of Project Management BSB50820	AQF level 5 Nationally recognised VET qualification	People already working on projects who want to lead them	No prerequisite in the national qualification, but some providers ask for a Certificate IV or project experience	12-18 months
Graduate Certificate in Project Management	AQF level 8 Higher education qualification	Degree holders or experienced IT professionals	Set by the provider; some accept management experience instead of a degree	4-8 months
PMP (Project Management Professional)	Certification Industry certification from PMI	Experienced project managers	At least 36 months of experience leading projects with a four-year degree, or 60 months without, plus 35 hours of project management education or CAPM	35 hours
PRINCE2 Foundation	Certification Entry-level industry certification in the PRINCE2 method	People new to PRINCE2, especially in organisations that use it, often government and large enterprises	No prerequisite	20 hours
PRINCE2 Practitioner	Certification Advanced industry certification in applying and tailoring the PRINCE2 method	People who manage projects in organisations that use PRINCE2	A pass in PRINCE2 Foundation, or another accepted certification such as PMP or CAPM	20 hours
Agile and Scrum certifications	Certification Industry certifications in Agile methods	People working on, or moving into, Agile teams	Varies; some require prior Agile experience	A few days to a few weeks

How much do IT project managers earn in Australia?

There’s no official salary figure for IT project managers specifically. Jobs and Skills Australia tracks ICT project managers as their own occupation, but it doesn’t publish median earnings for them, because the survey sample isn’t large enough to give a reliable figure.

Here’s what official data shows for the wider occupation group:

Occupation group	Median full-time weekly earnings (before tax)	Data date
ICT Managers	$3,310	May 2026

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles. This group includes chief information officers and other senior technology leaders, so it's likely to be higher than what many IT project managers earn. Earnings vary with industry, experience, location and the size of projects you manage.

Can you move into IT project management from another career?

Yes, though it’s rarely a first job. Most people arrive with either project management experience or technology experience, then build the other side to gain the skills needed for the role.

From project management in another industry: your planning, budgeting and stakeholder skills transfer. Learn Agile methods and the basics of how software and systems are built, and look for technology projects in your current organisation.
From IT roles: business analysts, developers, testers and support staff already understand technology work. Build your project skills by coordinating small projects or releases, and add a qualification or certification.
From outside both: start by doing the practical things in a project coordinator or project officer role within an IT team, then work up.

If you’ve already been doing project work, you may be able to get credit for it through recognition of prior learning (RPL) for a nationally recognised qualification. Ask your education provider before you enrol.

Where can an IT project manager role lead?

With experience, common next steps include:

Senior IT project manager: leading larger, higher-risk technology projects.
Program manager: overseeing a group of related technology projects.
Delivery or portfolio roles: managing how an organisation runs and prioritises its technology work.

Project manager Plan, lead and deliver projects on time, on budget and to scope.
Project coordinator Keep projects on track with schedules, documentation and team communication.
Project officer Support project delivery through research, reporting and day-to-day administration.
Scrum master Coach agile teams, run sprint ceremonies and clear blockers that slow delivery.

About this article

Written by Kristen Michaelides

Content Marketing Manager. Kristen has spent 5 years writing about vocational education, course choice and career pathways.

Published 30 October 2026Last updated 31 October 2026

We check this article against our editorial standards at least every six months, and sooner when qualification, certification or labour market information changes.

How we make money: learning.com.au is a course marketplace. We don't deliver courses. Course providers pay us when you send them an enquiry. Providers don't pay for or approve our articles, and paid placements are labelled.

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