Let’s be honest, not all of us take the straight path. I certainly didn’t. I know plenty of people who started out slinging coffees, mowing lawns, or cleaning holiday rentals, and now they’re working in tech—sometimes in jobs they didn’t even know existed a few years ago.

If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling job ads, thinking, “Every one of these asks for a degree,” or “I’ve only got hands-on work, who’s going to hire me?”—trust me, you’re not alone. This myth that you need a university badge to break into tech is just that—a myth. Especially here in Australia, where being practical and showing up counts for a lot.

Let’s get real about how you can carve a tech career—no degree, just hustle, curiosity, and a willingness to start where you are.

Not All Beginnings Are in a Classroom

My first serious paycheck was from landscaping. Out in the sun, learning how to fix a broken mower one day and getting a crash course in irrigation the next. Not glamorous, but weirdly satisfying. Back then, tech wasn’t even on my radar. But looking back, a lot of what made me good at landscaping—problem-solving, attention to detail, managing time and people—actually set me up better for tech than most lecture halls ever could.

A lot of Aussie techies come from similar blue-collar gigs. I know a guy who wrote his first lines of code between cleaning jobs. Another friend built an app to track clients for her family’s lawn business, using experience she got from years of hands-on work, as outlined in a landscaper resume. She never thought that “just helping out” would turn into a ticket into software support.

So if your story so far is more about work boots or mops than lecture notes, don’t count yourself out. Real-world experience is often what tech companies are hungry for.

Where Are The Real Tech Pathways?

You might be surprised how many jobs are open to you, degree or not, if you’re willing to learn:

• IT Support & Helpdesk: You’ll find people from every background here—ex-tradies, former call centre staff, and folks who once managed a cleaning crew, like those who can craft a strong housekeeper resume.
• Digital Marketing & Content: You don’t need a diploma to run ads, write posts, or optimise websites. Plenty of pros started by managing socials for mates’ businesses.
• Web Development: Build a couple of basic sites (there are free resources everywhere), and you can show an employer what you’re capable of.
• QA & Testing: Attention to detail is king here—if you’ve ever noticed a missed spot in a cleaning job, you’ve got the mindset.
• Product Support & Customer Service: Communication and empathy go further than any piece of paper.

How To Break In (No Degree Required)

I’ll be blunt: there is no secret handshake. But there are proven moves:

1. Start With What You Know

Have you managed a team at a landscaping company? Fixed stuff when it broke? Kept track of jobs, timesheets, or client notes? All of that translates. Your story might sound like the opening lines of a landscaper resume, but with the right tweaks, you can make it the backbone of a junior tech CV.

2. Get Your Hands Dirty (Digitally, This Time)

Employers want proof, not just hope. Build a portfolio, however small:

• Make a website (for your mate, your hobby, or just yourself)
• Solve problems on online forums
• Try freelance gigs on Airtasker or Upwork

Don’t just talk—show what you can do.

3. Free Training Is Your Friend

YouTube, FreeCodeCamp, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera—there’s a rabbit hole for every interest, and a lot of it’s free or cheap. Set a target: one small project a month, and watch your skills snowball.

4. Use Your Old Jobs—Don’t Hide Them

You’d be surprised how much recruiters value reliability, communication, and grit. A friend of mine worked cleaning offices and listed it proudly. Her resume included the kind of reliability you see in a good housekeeper resume, and it impressed a tech manager who just wanted someone dependable.

5. Network Like You Mean It

Forget the suits and schmoozing—Aussie networking is about community. Join a Facebook group for local techies, DM someone on LinkedIn, or chat at a local event. Most jobs never make it to Seek or Indeed—they go to someone “a mate recommended.”

6. Apply Before You’re Ready

Impostor syndrome is real. You won’t tick every box, and that’s fine. Apply anyway. The worst they’ll say is no, and sometimes, you’ll get a shot just for being keen.

Common Pitfalls (And How To Dodge Them)

I’ve tripped up plenty, so here’s what to avoid:

• Waiting for someone to “give you a go”: Sometimes you’ve got to take it. No one is coming to tap you on the shoulder.
• Thinking your work history isn’t good enough: Every job teaches you something. The time you fixed a busted irrigation system or managed a roster during a busy season? That’s troubleshooting and leadership.
• Trying to fake it: If you’re new, say you’re new. Tech teams love honesty and a hunger to learn.
• Ignoring your soft skills: Being on time, working with all sorts, managing stress… it matters.

Building Your Tech Resume: Real Examples, Not Fairy Tales

When you build your tech resume, don’t erase your past. Make it work for you.

For example, if you’ve been in landscaping, look at the structure and language in a landscaper resume—notice how it highlights scheduling, reliability, and equipment troubleshooting. These are golden in tech support roles.

Or, if you’ve got cleaning or housekeeper experience, think about how that shows attention to detail, the ability to follow systems, and independence—all traits tech employers want. The same approach you see in a housekeeper resume—listing what you actually accomplished, not just your title—will set your tech CV apart.

Skills Over Certificates: What Aussie Employers Want

The tech companies I’ve spoken to in Sydney, Melbourne, even out west, all say the same thing: “Show me what you can do.” Sure, a cert can help. But if you can show you’ve built, fixed, or solved something, and you’re keen to learn more, you’re already halfway there.

• Show, don’t just tell: Put your projects online. Even a simple portfolio site.
• Be reliable: If you’ve worked early shifts, handled responsibility, and got the job done, say it.
• Keep learning: Tech never stops. Show you’re not afraid to tackle something new.

Real Stories: Aussie Techies Without Degrees

My mate Josh was a housekeeper for three years. Got sick of scrubbing bathrooms, so he started learning Excel macros to speed up the payroll system for his boss. Before long, he was automating half the office, then landed an entry-level IT job. No degree—just curiosity and a willingness to try.

Another friend came from landscaping. He built an irrigation scheduling app on the side, using skills picked up through YouTube and trial-and-error. That app became the centrepiece of his tech portfolio and got him interviews at three startups.

Your Step-By-Step Launch Pad

1. Figure out what interests you—support, coding, digital, whatever.
2. Start a small project—could be a website, a workflow, or just helping a friend.
3. Connect with people—online or at local meetups.
4. Shape your resume using your actual work experience—lean into those hands-on roles.
5. Apply for jobs—even if you don’t feel “ready.”
6. Keep learning—every new project is a win.

One Last Thing (And a Real-World Pep Talk)

Tech is not a closed club. You don’t need a degree to build a career—you just need a willingness to learn, a record of doing (not just talking), and the guts to keep going when it’s messy.

So if you’ve ever felt like your history in landscaping or housekeeping is a dead-end, think again. The proof is in your ability to solve problems, learn on the fly, and keep showing up—skills that shine whether you’re troubleshooting a server or running a maintenance schedule. Sometimes, a landscaper resume or a housekeeper resume is all the evidence you need that you’re more than ready for the tech leap.

No degree? No worries. Bring your real self, your story, and your willingness to dive in. That’s what Aussie tech needs.

And hey—if you ever need a push, or someone to bounce ideas off, my inbox is open. Grab a coffee, fire up that laptop, and start building your own path. You’ve got this.