AWS vs Azure Certification: Which Should You Get First?

Choosing between AWS and Azure certification is one of the most common dilemmas for Australian IT professionals. Both are valuable, but the right first choice depends on your career goals, current employer, and local job market.

Australian Market Demand

In Australia, AWS leads in market share among startups, tech companies, and many enterprises. Azure dominates in organisations already using Microsoft products including government agencies, financial institutions, and large enterprises. Both have strong demand in the Australian job market.

Exam Difficulty Comparison

AWS CLF-C02 and Azure AZ-900 are comparable in difficulty. Both are foundational exams requiring similar study time (2-4 weeks). At the associate level, AWS SAA-C03 is generally considered slightly more challenging than Azure AZ-104 due to its broader architecture focus.

Cost Comparison

• AWS CLF-C02: AUD ~$160 | Azure AZ-900: AUD ~$140
• AWS SAA-C03: AUD ~$240 | Azure AZ-104: AUD ~$285
• Azure fundamentals may be free through Microsoft Virtual Training Days
• See our AWS cost breakdown

Career Path Considerations

• Choose AWS if: You work at a startup or tech company, want the broadest range of cloud roles, or target DevOps positions
• Choose Azure if: You work in a Microsoft-heavy enterprise, target government or financial sector roles, or want to complement existing Microsoft skills
• Choose based on your employer: If your company uses one platform, start there

Getting Both Certifications

Many Australian professionals eventually hold both AWS and Azure certifications. This demonstrates platform-agnostic cloud skills and maximises job opportunities. Start with the platform most relevant to your immediate career goals.

Our Recommendation

For most Australians starting out, AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) is the best first step due to broader market demand and lower entry cost. If you work in a Microsoft-heavy environment, start with Azure AZ-900 instead. Plan your full path using our certification roadmap.