Electronics and Telecommunications Trades Workers

How to become a Telecommunications Technician

Also called: Communications Technician

Installs, maintains and repairs telecommunications equipment and appliances such as telephones, mobile telephones, switchboards and data transmission equipment, in homes, businesses, telephone exchanges and other network sites.

Main tasks

Installs telecommunications equipment and appliances in homes, businesses, telephone exchanges and other network sites
Diagnoses and locates equipment faults, and adjusts, replaces or repairs telecommunications equipment
Performs routine inspections and preventative maintenance on telecommunications equipment and appliances
Configures and programs telecommunications equipment and appliances according to specifications
Provides technical support and assistance to customers and end-users of telecommunications equipment and appliances

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications (UEE30420); Certificate III in Electronics and Communications (UEE30920); Certificate III in Telecommunications Network Build and Operation (ICT30419); Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology (ICT30524); Certificate IV in Telecommunications Engineering Technology (ICT41219); Certificate IV in Telecommunications Network Design (ICT41119); Certificate IV in Electrical - Data and Voice Communications (UEE40220); Certificate II in Antennae Equipment (UEE21220)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $107,120 a year
About 17,000 people work in this job group now, and about 17,600 are projected by 2035. (+3.8%)
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Telecommunications Technician?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications; Certificate III in Electronics and Communications; Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology.

How much does a Telecommunications Technician earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $107,120 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Telecommunications Technician a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 4% by 2035, from about 17,000 to about 17,600 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Telecommunications Technician?

Usually not. Only 18% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications; Certificate III in Electronics and Communications; Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology.

Will AI change the work of a Telecommunications Technician?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04