Virtual Reality (VR) is any simulated 3D environment that people can interact with, usually with a head-mounted display, like VR goggles, and some kind of input tracking. Augmented Reality (AR) is a type of VR, where objects in the real world are enhanced by computer generated information. Think Pokémon Go and IKEA Place.
VR tech isn’t necessarily new, but it is going through a rapid phase of adoption and growth. Originally, VR & AR were picked up by the gaming industry, but companies are exploring new uses all the time: remote surgeries, workplace collaboration, interior design simulation, combat training, PTSD treatment, virtual travel. The possibilities are pretty much endless.
RMIT Online is one of Australia’s leading VR & AR training providers. We’re equipping designers, programmers, engineers and product managers with the skills they need to enter the virtual workplace.
VR & AR software engineers are some of the hottest tech jobs going around. According to Hired, demand for VR experience surged 1,400% in 2019, with VR engineers even overtaking Blockchain engineers, particularly when it comes to enterprise solutions. Learning VR & AR is one of the best ways to future-proof your CV. There are plenty of innovative start-up opportunities, too: although Microsoft and Facebook dominate the VR & AR markets, they still account for just 2% of all VR professionals.
Here are some careers that draw on VR & AR technology:
While consumer VR applications are taking some time to hit mainstream, enterprise VR solutions are fueling massive industry growth. The VR market was worth USD 11.2 billion in 2024, and it's projected to grow to USD 36.0 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 26.3% during this period. If there was ever a time to learn VR, it’s now.
As specialists in an up-and-coming field, VR and AR careers tend to pay very well. Software Engineers in Australia can expect to earn $110,000 per annum, with Senior Engineers taking home about $147,000. User Experience Designers also benchmark around $107,000.
If you’ve ever dreamed of working for a tech giant like Google, Apple, Facebook or Samsung, learning VR and AR is a great way to go. These skills can open doors for international travel, and you can work in almost any industry: from gaming and healthcare to fashion and manufacturing.
Many of the skills you learn as a VR software developer or engineer can easily translate into Augmented Reality (AR), and vice versa. AR apps like Pokémon Go and IKEA Place are becoming more common, especially in B2C industries. There’s plenty of scope for different applications.
The boundaries of VR and AR are expanding all the time, and nobody really knows the limits of this new tech. That gives VR engineers and developers plenty of room for experimentation. With VR and AR, you can solve common user problems and revolutionise entire industries.
Starting a career in VR and AR does require some technical knowledge. You’ll need to become familiar with programming languages like C or C++, 3D modelling and design software, as well as basic User Experience Design (UX) and mobile app development (over 90% of all VR headsets sold worldwide are phone-based). The good news is that these skills can be learned by anybody, from any professional background, and RMIT Online offers qualifications in all of them.
Here are just a few VR-related careers you might consider:
RMIT Online’s curriculum is purpose-built for online study, and you don’t need any special skills to get started. Each unit combines interactive webinars, 1-on-1 tutorials, group work and practical tasks. We built these courses alongside some of the best VR & AR software engineers and developers in Australia.
Here’s an idea of what you’ll need:
Ready to learn VR & AR? This is the best place to start. Read as much as you can. Ask questions. Contact one of our RMIT Online course counsellors.
RMIT Online is one of Australia’s top VR and AR training providers. We offer a range of VR courses, depending on your career goals and experience. You can learn VR and AR online, at your own pace, with plenty of support from expert mentors.
VR & AR overlap with dozens of different fields, and there are plenty of ways to broaden your CV. If you’d like to learn User Experience Design, VR Strategy or Agile Delivery, check out RMIT Online’s related courses below.
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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
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