There are about 300,000 general clerks working in Australia right now, and official projections lift that up 19% over the decade, which means about 56,500 more of them by 2035. Office managers are a smaller group at about 135,000, and their line runs up 8.4% over the decade, which puts about 11,500 more on top. Most of that growth lands at the clerical level, and that happens to be where most people come in. So the new openings and the entry point sit in the same place, which is a healthier shape than a field that expands only at the top.
Neither occupation appears in shortage for 2025. Office managers and general clerks were both rated, and neither one came back short. For a field this size that's the expected result rather than a warning sign. It does set your terms though. You compete on what you can demonstrate rather than on scarcity, and in admin that means specifics. Software you have actually used, systems you have actually run, and a qualification an employer recognises without having to look it up. The Open Colleges qualification below covers that last part, and the Foundation Education certificate concentrates on the software and systems side.
The entry rung on record is the Certificate IV in Business, and it carries the code BSB40120. Its 2025 enrolment count was 15,610. That exact qualification sits below as an Open Colleges listing with an administration focus, and it's nationally recognised. The other listing is a Foundation Education certificate pitched at Certificate III level. It teaches business administration in a shorter, more direct format, and it's aimed at building the day-to-day skills quickly. Both run online. Which one suits you comes down to the level you're starting from and the depth you're after.
Compare what each one covers, then enquire on the one that fits you. The provider sorts out the details with you directly.
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What's the difference between the two courses here?
Level and depth, mainly. The Open Colleges Cert IV in Business carries a national code, so employers and other training providers recognise it on sight. The Foundation Education certificate is shorter, sits at Certificate III level, and keeps the day-to-day skills as its focus. Both are delivered online.
Do I need a Cert IV, or is a Cert III enough?
It depends where you're aiming. General clerical work often hires on capability and a shorter course. Office manager roles tend to expect more, and a Cert IV is the level the records point at. Starting lower and stepping up later is completely normal.
Can I study this while working full time?
That's how most people do it. Both listings run fully online with no set class times, so study fits around shifts. Each provider sets its own pace and access period, and they set out current terms once you enquire. Both were listed in September 2026.