Context: currently a secondary teacher with a bachelor's in IT (which basically ended up being CS by the time all my elective options were filled lol)
I think the first point here that needs to be addressed is the difference between Computer Science and IT. While they sound like they're the exact same thing and from the same 'family' of degrees, they actually are different and target different areas so it's important to know which is which. Computer Science is definitely geared towards a mathematical mind, it's one that focuses on the "why" and "how" (how does the algorithm work, why does it do it in a certain way, etc). IT while it has some mathematical requirement, it has a heavier business and applications focus (e.g. information systems / being able to apply tools) and there is generally more flexibility in an IT degree as opposed to CS in terms of accessing elective options both within IT/CS as well as outside of it in other areas e.g. business, accounting, statistics etc. You'll see when you go and look at prerequisites etc for university courses, most universities require maths methods for Computer Science and it is a reasonable request given the mathematical load. There are some that don't but I think it's naive not to expect a high mathematical load in a discipline such as this one. Most IT degrees will still require some form of maths but it isn't as heavy handed as CS (e.g. may only be a year 11 general maths requirement).
In both degrees, there is a high practical component. Most will have lectures as well as tutorial/practice classes and laboratory classes (opportunities to apply what's been taught in the lecture). I was actually employed as a tutor/lab demonstrator/teaching associate for computer science in my final year of my undergrad so I also got to see what it was like from the other side also. I absolutely loved my degree - with IT I was given so much flexibility in terms of what I did I went to other faculties and did a minor in statistics as well as a few subjects in business, accounting and finance also. Also did some postgraduate level study in computer science. In order to be successful in a discipline like this, you have to be invested and interested, you can't just chase the money. There was a high dropout ("dropout" referring to both literal dropping out as well as transferring of degree) rate in my degree when I did it - not sure what it's like now. Why? False beliefs. Thinking it'd be easy and it'd be a quick money making career. It's not for everyone and it certainly takes A LOT to get to the end. VCE Applied Computing I think sets the scene well as a precursor for both discipline areas but definitely I see it having a lot more 'IT' than 'CS'. Algorithmics (HESS) in my opinion as a Unit 3/4 is a good toedip for Computer Science, unfortunately most schools don't offer it which is a shame. If you're genuinely interested in CS, i'd encourage you to go onto VCAA's website and have a look at the Algorithmics study design/past exams etc. as this is extremely close to the mathematical side of CS (at least as a starting point!)
With the IT industry, the problem is that a lot of what is done can be accessed outside of Australia either through outsourcing or bringing someone from overseas to do the job. Both the mentioned options here mean cheaper cost for potential employers. Quite a number of my peers from when I did my IT bachelors (peers in the IT/CS/Engineering space) went on to start ups/smaller businesses, freelancing/starting up their own business, developers/engineers etc at larger companies e.g. NAB, Telstra, and then there are those that stayed on in academia through completion of honours/PhD etc. (there are literally so many different pathways I can outline for you - I thought i'd just list the ones I know and can speak of due to anecdotal evidence).
In most cases, all that's needed to get started is the bachelor's degree itself. It really is an 'experience' based industry - a degree is good but it isn't the be all and end all. You need to have demonstrated experience to move up. The reason for this is that most IT/CS courses now have an industry component where you start to network with companies and complete projects/internships/etc which get you "in the door" and is a starting point. When I graduated, my university was only bringing this in as a compulsory component of my IT course. This discipline is an applied/practical one so any opportunity you get to practice, is so beneficial. Some are lucky where they get their "dream" role straight away and others have to work really hard to get there e.g. starting off working as IT support/helpdesk for experience then moving up.
My advice to you is to do some further research on the differences/similarities to CS and IT (look at university handbooks would be the best way to go personally as they will give you the direct information straight from them) and then figure out what direction you want to head down. Open Days/experiences are just as important as you can get brochures, see demonstrations, talk to staff/students and get experiences and see the facilities for yourself - so you can picture whether you see yourself there or not. I chose a university that was only a short distance from my house (it was by no means the "top" university - whatever "top" means these days, and having now done two degrees at both a GO8 university as well as this one, I can say that I enjoyed the non-GO8 university more). This discipline is so broad with so many emerging technologies and categories so jumping in with zero idea of major/focus area etc. is not wise.
I've linked the Monash handbook entries for both IT and CS as a starting point to illustrate to you clearly the differences between two courses at one university - of course, there are universities other than Monash which are only a google search away. Just type in something like "deakin bachelor of IT handbook" or something like that.
https://handbook.monash.edu/current/courses/C2000
https://handbook.monash.edu/current/courses/C2001
Hope this helps.
