 Technical Communication
  Fast Facts
Courses
Units of Study
Entry requirements
Careers
Salaries
Teaching staff
Contact us
Applications
Fees
Student feedback
Media reports
Fast Facts
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Technical communicators are specialists who produce clearly written and well-structured documents
for complex technical concepts or products.
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Their work can be presented online or on paper, but always in a style that best meets the needs of the audience.
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The need for technical communicators has developed rapidly with the growth of information technology.
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 This is the only University level course
in Technical Communication.
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From 2008 the Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Technical Communication) and the first four Units of Study of the Graduate Diploma will be taught online. All four of these Units of Study will be offered in each Semester.
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To find out more about technical communication read the media reports
on the
Swinburne courses and look at the links under Careers.
About Technical Communication at Swinburne
Swinburne's unique approach to education ensures you will have opportunities to:
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Access computer laboratories equipped with specialised software for technical communication
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Be taught by experts currently working in the field who can give you unique insights and advice
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Compete for jobs in a range of industries or work as an independent contractor
In the Technical Communication courses you will learn:
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The role of technical communicators
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Strong written and verbal communication skills
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Clear and practical ways to approach technical communication assignments
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Technical-communication specific writing and editing skills
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Analytical and problem-solving skills
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How to create online help and other technical documents
As part of your coursework, you will develop a folio of work to take to job interviews.
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Courses
Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Technical Communication)
- Length of degree: one year part-time or one semester full-time
- Number of units of study: four (two in first semester and two in second semester) or four in the one semester for full-time students
- Mode of delivery: on-line
- Length of each semester: 12 weeks plus one week mid-semester break plus exam
- Time commitment per unit of study: 7 to 8 hours per week
Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Technical Communication)
- Length of degree: two years part-time
- Number of units of study: eight (two each semester for four semesters) - the first four units are offered on-line
- Time of classes for the second four units delivered face-to-face: 6 to 9 pm per unit per week during semester (students taking two subjects will attend two evenings a week)
- Length of each semester: 12 weeks plus one week mid-semester break plus exam
- Location of face-to-face classes: Swinburne Hawthorn Campus
- Time commitment per unit of study: 7 to 8 hours per on-line unit; 3 hours in class plus 4 to 5 hours private study per face-to-face unit.
These links will take you to Swinburne Coursefinder and the official description of entry requirements, subject details and course structures.
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Units of Study
Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma (Year 1)
Graduate Diploma (Year 2)
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Entry Requirements
Applicants should:
- Have completed an approved undergraduate degree from a recognised
tertiary institution, or
- Have at least two years relevant industry experience which, in the
opinion of the selection committee, is of a satisfactory standard for entry into the program
All applicants should submit a résumé, including at least two academic or professional referees. Applicants without an undergraduate
degree should submit an example of their industry work.
Applicants should also have basic computer skills, such as some familiarity with a word processing program and the ability to save and
retrieve files.
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Career Opportunities
The Graduate Certificate and Graduate
Diploma in Technical Communication provide students
with a broad range of skills valued by employers across
a range of industries, sectors and departments including:
- Software and hardware development
- Forestry, mining and other
primary industries
- Finance
- Government and infrastructure
- Publishing
- Management consultancy
- Defence
Salaries
In June 2007 MyCareer estimated the average
annual salary for Technical Communicators (Technical
Writers) in Australia as $78,243. The range was $45,000
to $140,000.
A recent survey by Money magazine, April 2006, on the 50 best jobs
in America rated Technical Communicator thirteenth.
For further information on career opportunities
and salaries in Australia visit:
Or the following employment agencies:
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Teaching Staff
Melanie Albrecht
Melanie has been a technical writer for nine years. During that time, she has designed and developed documentation,
developed writing standards and managed a team of fourteen writers. She has studied English and Linguistics, and maintains
a keen interest in grammar and writing styles. She is currently working for a multi-national software corporation.
Gerry Gaffney
Gerry has been working in usability and user-centred design for the past seven years. He is director and senior consultant
at Information & Design-originally a technical documentation company, but now focused exclusively on usability-and has presented
on usability in a variety of forums in Australia and Asia. He occasionally comments on usability in the media and has also lectured
on usability and user experience at Swinburne, RMIT, Deakin, Monash and VUT. He has developed a range of Do-It-Yourself usability
materials, many of which are freely available from the Information & Design web site (http://www.infodesign.com.au).
Andrew Lockton
Andrew has worked as a freelance technical writer, graphic designer, proposal manager and software developer since 1991. He has
experience in a range of industries including defence, information technology, health, consulting and education. He has clients
throughout Australia and the USA. Andrew has extensive experience in a range of desktop software and develops tools and templates
which assist companies to produce documentation efficiently.
Sonja McShane
Sonja is a qualified electronic technician and has previously worked as a
mainframe technician. She has been a technical communicator and technical
editor for over 15 years. She has worked in the fields of retail, defence,
finance, software development, data communications and web applications. Sonja
is a past president of the Australian Society for Technical Communication
(Vic.) and helped develop the Swinburne Graduate Diploma in Technical
Communication, in which she has lectured since its inception. One of her
manuals won a 'Merit in Technical Communication' award in the 1998 European
Technical Publications Competition, Society for Technical Communications.
Irene Paradisis
Irene has been working in the software applications industry for over ten years. A past President of the Australian Society of
Technical Communication (Victoria), Irene worked closely with Swinburne to help develop the Graduate Diploma in Technical
Communication, and has been an industry advisor on the University's Advisory Board since the program's inception. She is experienced
in various facets of technical communication including web design, online and hardcopy documentation and curriculum development.
Tony Self
Tony has over 25 years documentation experience, including 15 years with online and hypertext documents. He is a founding partner
in HyperWrite Pty Ltd, the first hypertext document development company in Australia. Tony has managed large online documentation
projects in Australia and New Zealand, and has undertaken roles in technology training design and delivery, and computer-based training
development, in Australia and Ireland. He has spoken at conferences in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States. Tony is the
co-author of 'Swimming With the Tide, a Business Guide to the Internet'. (For the Hyperwrite web site see http://www.hyperwrite.com/)
Kylie Weaver
Kylie has worked as a technical writer and business analyst for 10 years
in both Australia and the UK. She has experience in a range of
industries including computer-based training, finance infrastructure,
software development, telephonic systems and education. Kylie helped
design the Technical Writing degree and has taught two of the Units of Study.
Kylie has presented papers at the Australasian Online Documentation and
Content Conference (AODC) and has served on the committee of the
Australian Society of Technical Communication (Victoria)(ASTC). She is
currently working for a multi-national software development company.
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Contact Us
For enquiries about applications, fees and other administrative matters contact :
Postgraduate Enquiries
 International Student Enquiries:
Swinburne International
Tel: +61 3 8676 7002
Fax: +61 3 9818 3648
Email: international@swinburne.edu.au
Submit an Online Enquiry
For enquiries about academic matters contact:
Associate Professor Katharine Betts
Phone: (03) 9214 8201
Email: kbetts@swin.edu.au
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Applications
To apply for a place in either the Graduate Certificate or the Graduate Diploma download the PostgraduateCoursework Application form.
Applications for the following year usually close in late November of the previous year. But check Swinburne's postgraduate information web page for exact dates.
Sometimes a second round of offers is made in January.
Don't forget to include submit a résumé with at least two academic or professional referees. If you don't have an
undergraduate degree and are applying on the basis of at least two years relevant industry experience, you must submit
an example of your industry work.
Mid-year entry?
The Units of Study follow a logical sequence and are only taught once a year. This means that it is to students' advantage
to begin a course at the start of the calendar year. However there are no specific prerequisites for each Unit of Study
(apart from HATC423) so
mid-year entry is possible. Check the postgraduate information web page for dates.
Single Units of Study
It may be possible, if places are available, to take Units of Study on a single-Unit basis. To apply, download the Single Unit (Subject) Application form.
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Fees
Fee details are available online.
Fee Help
FEE-HELP is a government funded loan that helps eligible fee paying students pay their tuition fees. FEE-HELP is not available to
New Zealand citizens and most holders of Australian permanent visas, however is available to Australian citizens and holders of a
permanent humanitarian visa. Please visit www.backingaustraliasfuture.gov.au/student_info/current.htm for more information.
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Student Feedback
Alon Hadass
"I found the course [Graduate Diploma] engaging, well-taught and a great resource. I learnt a lot of useful information,
derived from the latest innovations, accepted industry standards and the professional knowledge of the lecturers. I liked
the fact that the lecturers are currently employed in the field and bring practical knowledge to their teaching.
The course
contained a great combination of theory and practice that gave me skills that I use daily in my work. The lecturers were
always attentive to my needs and open to any questions. By the end of the course I was more skilled, and better equipped to
find and secure the job I was looking for. I still make use of the information I learnt in the course in my new job."
Carl Sarelius
"I found the Graduate Diploma of Technical Communications course at Swinburne valuable. Not only did I learn new things,
I enhanced my knowledge in areas that I thought I was well versed in. The opportunity to also learn with others in the field
provided the ideal arena to discuss real problems and come up with real solutions to documentation questions. I also believe
it helped me secure my position at Tenix. Well worthwhile!
(Carl is the Technical Publications Team Leader, Tenix Defence (Land Division) )
Michelle Kopel
"I would not be a Technical Writer today without the skills I learnt in the Graduate Diploma in Technical Communication.
After completing my undergraduate Computing degree and working as a Computer Programmer for a short time, I decided to
enter the Technical Writing field. But with no Technical Writing experience I found the field difficult to enter.
I enrolled in the Swinburne course and after the first semester I had enough skills, along with a decent portfolio, to
help me secure a job as a Junior Technical Writer. I have since held two other Technical Writing positions, including my
current position that includes a Usability component.
"I believe the skills and experience acquired through the course are equivalent to a few years on the job. The interaction
between lecturers and students, the advice, knowledge exchange, and networking are invaluable for getting started and becoming
successful in the Technical Writing field. I am thankful to the lecturers for their mentoring and support which helped me get
to where I am today. I highly recommend this course to anyone trying to enter the Technical Writing field."
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Media Reports
The Best
Jobs
A recent survey by Money magazine, Aril 2006,
on the 50 best jobs in America rate technical communicator
thirteenth. View
article >>.
The AGE: Leading the way to good computing
Interview with student Michelle Kopel and Lecturer Sonja McShane.
Read in PDF format
Radio National: The Buzz
Interview with lecturer Kylie Weaver
Read in PDF format
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News
Eleventh Annual Australasian Online Documentation and Content Conference (AODC)
Details
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