Network Administrators install and maintain hardware and software, documents diagnosis and resolution of faults, manages user passwords, security, and inventory documentation, ensures the efficient performance of servers, printers, and personal computers, and attends to other operational tasks. May also perform tasks such as help desk support and user training.

Skill Level

1

Alternative Titles

• Network Specialist
• Network Support

Specialisations

• LAN Administrator

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Network Administrator is Australian Computer Society (ACS). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• Qualification comparable to AQF Bachelor Degree or higher with an ICT Major
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is closely related to the occupation of Network Administrator, the following is required:
    • 2 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years; or
    • 4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is NOT closely related to the occupation of Network Administrator, the following is required:
    • 4 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
• Qualification comparable to AQF Bachelor Degree or higher with an ICT Minor
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Minor that is closely related to the occupation of Network Administrator, the following is required:
    • 5 years relevant work experience completed in the past 10 years; or
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Minor that is NOT closely related to the occupation of Network Administrator, the following is required:
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
• Qualification comparable to AQF Diploma or Vendor Certification
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is closely related to the occupation of Network Administrator, the following is required:
    • 5 years relevant work experience completed within the past 10 years; or
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history
  • If the applicant has completed a course with an ICT Major that is NOT closely related to the occupation of Network Administrator, the following is required:
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history.
• ACS also recognises prior learning (RPL).
  • If the applicant has a Non-ICT Qualification that is comparable AQF Diploma or higher, the following is required:
    • 6 years relevant work experience completed anytime in your previous work history; and
    • Recognition of Prior Learning application
  • If the applicant has no tertiary qualification and has work experience only, the following is required:
    • 8 years of relevant work experience; and
    • Recognition of Prior Learning Application
• The following Vendor Certifications are accepted by ACS as comparable to AQF Diploma level qualification:
  • Microsoft Certifications
  • Cisco Certifications
• Australian qualifications that have been accredited by ACS will most likely meet the ICT Major Criteria. However, it may not necessarily be assessed as being closely related to your nominated occupation. Therefore, it is important to ensure you nominate the correct occupation.
• ACS will only count employment that is completed after the date you have met the ACS Suitability Criteria as Skilled Employment. This means they will not consider pre-qualification employment experience.

Important

ACS has specific requirements relating to some regions.

• Bologna Agreement
  • If your qualification was completed in a country that is a signatory to the Bologna Agreement, please submit the Diploma Supplement
• People’s Republic of China (PRC)
  • If your qualification was completed in China, please provide the graduation Diploma and certificate of award according to the regulations of academic degrees in PRC.
• Pakistan
  • If your qualification was completed in Pakistan, you are required to submit an attested Higher Education Commission Pakistan copy of the award certificate and a full academic transcript.
  • If you have work experience completed in Pakistan, you are required ot provide evidence that the employer is registered with the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan and/or the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan.
• Philippines
  • If you qualification was completed in the Philippines, you need to supply evidence of passing the Professional Regulation Commission’s Licensure Examinations.

Research, analyse and recommend strategies for network architecture and development, implement, manage, maintain and configure network hardware and software, and monitor and optimise performance, and troubleshoot and provide user support.

Tasks

• Analysing, developing, interpreting and evaluating complex system design and architecture specifications, data models and diagrams in the development, configuration and integration of computer systems
• Researching, analysing, evaluating and monitoring network infrastructure to ensure networks are configured to operate at optimal performance
• Assessing and recommending improvements to network operations and integrated hardware, software, communications and operating systems
• Providing specialist skills in supporting and troubleshooting network problems and emergencies
• Installing, configuring, testing, maintaining and administering new and upgraded networks, software database applications, servers and workstations
• Providing network programming in support of specific business needs and requirements
• Preparing and maintaining procedures and documentation for network inventory, and recording diagnosis and resolution of network faults, enhancements and modifications to networks, and maintenance instructions
• Monitoring network traffic, and activity, capacity and usage to ensure continued integrity and optimal network performance

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Occupations in this Group

• 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• 263112 Network Administrator
• 263113 Network Analyst