Short Course in Basic Computer Skills
Course Overview
Feeling unsure about using computers? You’re not alone — and you’re in the right place. The Short Course in Basic Computer Skills is designed for absolute beginners who want to build real confidence with technology, whether you’re preparing for online study, re-entering the workforce, or simply want to feel more comfortable in a digital world.
This beginner-friendly online course takes you step by step through the essential digital skills you need to succeed as an online learner and in the modern workplace. From setting up your workspace and managing files, to using word processors, spreadsheets, email, and collaboration tools — you’ll gain practical, hands-on experience with the technology that matters most.
You’ll also learn how to stay safe online, understand the basics of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and develop responsible digital habits that employers value. With 7 practical topics delivered entirely online, you can learn at your own pace, revisit sections whenever you need to, and build your skills with confidence.
What you'll learn
Through this short course, you’ll gain practical digital skills that are essential for study, work, and everyday life. You’ll learn how to:
- Set up a productive digital workspace and build effective online study habits
- Navigate the internet safely, use web browsers, and understand the basics of online security and cyber safety
- Send and manage professional emails, including working with attachments and communicating effectively in a workplace context
- Organise and manage your digital files using proper naming conventions and cloud-based storage solutions
- Create and format professional documents using word processing software, with a focus on accuracy and proofreading
- Build and use spreadsheets to organise data, apply simple formulas, and present information clearly
- Design basic presentations to communicate ideas visually and professionally
- Collaborate with others online using tools like Zoom, chat platforms, and cloud-based workspaces
- Understand how artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being used in workplaces and education
- Develop responsible digital practices, including protecting your privacy, respecting copyright, and maintaining a professional digital footprint
Course Modules
This course is structured around 7 practical topics, each designed to build your digital skills progressively. Work through them at your own pace.
Start your digital learning journey by setting up your workspace for success. This topic covers the essentials: understanding your digital devices, turning them on and off safely, using a mouse and touchpad, navigating the desktop, and connecting to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Learn how to get online, use web browsers to search effectively, and understand the basics of artificial intelligence tools in the workplace. You’ll also set up and manage email, work with attachments, and develop essential cyber safety awareness to protect yourself online.
Get organised from day one. This topic teaches you how to name, store, and manage your digital files using proper naming conventions and cloud-based storage solutions — so you can always find what you need, when you need it.
Develop the skills to create, edit, and format professional business documents. You’ll learn how to identify and open applications, enter and format data, proofread for accuracy, use help functions to solve common issues, and manage basic version control.
Discover how to build and use spreadsheets to organise data, enter simple formulas, and format layouts for printing and sharing. You’ll also learn the fundamentals of creating presentations to communicate your ideas visually and effectively.
Modern workplaces and online study environments rely on collaboration. This topic introduces you to common digital collaboration tools including Zoom, chat platforms, and messaging apps — so you can communicate and work effectively with trainers, peers, and colleagues.
Finish the course by developing the digital habits that employers value. You’ll explore digital etiquette, understand your digital footprint, and learn the fundamentals of cybersecurity — including how to protect your privacy, respect copyright, and share information responsibly.
Payment Options
Hear from our past students
I completed my Diploma in IT with Upskilled. I was very happy with my experience. This was done entirely online. I had access to all the online materials required through their portal which was very easy to navigate and find. Each course within my diploma was broken into into smaller modules, covering learning material and then an assessment over the materials provided.
I was really worried that I would struggle completing a diploma if I started one but they had so many areas for support including online courses and access to email the tutors directly through out my course. I want to give special thanks to my tutors especially Russell James for all their help and guidance through the course. I could not reccomend this enough!
Upskilled made the learning extremely user friendly and engaging for remote Study. The only downside being my overall commitment to finishing! Through the education and learning I took from the CERT IV in ICT I was able to obtain an ICT Manager position at my work which was the goal of mine when I first commenced study through Upskilled.
I could not have achieved the position I have been offered without the learnings I have taken forward in this course and I want to take the time to encourage others to undertake study through Upskilled.
Completing the Certificate IV IT Web Development course with Upskilled was a great experience. Upskilled provides a straightforward training plan. Following it is key, especially if you're working full time. The course covers what you need for real-world application in IT web development.
The online platform is easy to navigate, making it simpler to follow the training plan. Quick responses from the support team help you stay on track. If you're working full time, sticking to the training plan is crucial. It helps you manage your time effectively and get the most out of the course. In a nutshell, Upskilled is a solid choice, but success depends on keeping up with the training plan, especially for those working full time.
I had a great time learning computer programming in upskilled. The support is amazing and the study aid is amazing. Trainers MD and Matthew are very helpful. Vikram who is my instructor for cloud computing is very supportive and patient. I have enjoyed every bit of my subject even the most boring ones. I recommend upskilled. It is a great learning institution that encourages a supportive and a holistic learning environment. They also make you think beyond the box. My study here enabled me to perform a lot of process improvement, and near automation of some of the most important process we do at our work. I only wish upskilled offers gaming development and gaming art in their future courses as i am leaning to those specialties. But overall, the study is definitely worth it. Do it now. Start your year and build something your future self would thank you. I know i did. I mean thanking myself. Not you.
What you need to know
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course. To make sure you get the most out of training with us, the following enrolment process applies:
- Access to a computer, laptop, or tablet with a reliable internet connection
- A willingness to learn. No prior computer experience is needed
Self-Paced Learning and Course Duration
Upskilled's flexible, self-paced courses let you balance personal and work schedules. This short course is designed to help you build basic computer skills in about 20 hours of online learning.
FAQs
Upskilled’s Short Course in Basic Computer Skills is a flexible, self-paced online course designed to help complete beginners build essential digital literacy for study and work. Whether you’re looking for a beginner computer course, want to build confidence with technology, or need practical skills to support your online learning journey, this course is a great starting point. Below are some commonly asked questions.
This is a fully online short course offered by Upskilled, designed to help you build foundational computer and digital skills. You’ll work through 7 practical topics covering everything from setting up your workspace and managing files, to using word processors, spreadsheets, email, collaboration tools, and understanding online safety. Upon completion, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion.
This course is ideal for absolute beginners, mature learners, return-to-work individuals, school leavers, or anyone who wants to build confidence using computers and digital technology. It’s also a great preparatory course for learners about to start an online qualification with an RTO.
This course is a professional development short course and does not lead to a nationally recognised qualification. However, the practical skills you gain are directly applicable to the workplace and can support your progression into nationally recognised qualifications if you chose to study further.
The course is delivered 100% online through Upskilled’s learning platform. You can study at your own pace, revisit topics as often as you need, and complete short quizzes and activities to check your understanding along the way. Support is available if you need it, but most learners complete the course independently.
No prior experience is required. This course is specifically designed for people who are new to computers or have very limited experience. We start with the basics, including how to use a mouse, navigate a desktop, and connect to the internet and build from there.
Yes. This course is specifically designed to help learners build the digital confidence needed for online study at an RTO. The skills you develop here, from file management to document creation and online collaboration, will directly support your success in a nationally recognised qualification.