School Leavers' Guide 2017 - JULIA BANKS MP Federal Member for Chisholm
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With compliments from
JULIA BANKS MP
Federal Member for Chisholm
School Leavers’
Guide 2017
School Leavers’ Guide 2017
/1
Contents
04 / Education and Training Options
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Universities
Private Higher Education Providers
Open Universities Australia (OUA)
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year Program
Literacy and Numeracy Support
06 / Financial and Other Support
Commonwealth Supported Places
Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
VET Student Loans
Repaying your HELP Debt
Trade Support Loans
General Benefits
08 / Finding Employment
Employment
Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire)
Empowering YOUth Initiatives
Transition to Work
Engaging Early School Leavers
Work for the Dole
The National Work Experience Programme
jobactive
Community and Volunteer Work
Starting a Business
10 / Additional Information
Medicare
Enrolling to Vote
Tax File Number
11 / Useful Websites
13 / Have Your Say
The material in this resource guide is made available for the purpose of providing access to government information and not as professional
advice. Before relying on the material, users should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances to evaluate
its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for their purposes. Some material in this resource guide may include or summarise views,
standards or recommendations of third parties. The inclusion of such material is not an endorsement by the Commonwealth of that material and
not an indication of the Commonwealth’s commitment to any particular course of action. Links provided to internet sites are provided for the
user’s convenience and do not constitute endorsement of the information at those sites.
2/ With compliments from Julia Banks MP
JULIA BANKS MP
Federal Member for Chisholm
Dear school leaver,
Congratulations on your impending graduation!
This is a challenging, but nonetheless exciting time to be completing school. The
future requires all of us to be adaptable and prepared. Exploring your options means
accessing current information on a range of pathways, talking to your parents, friends,
teachers and career advisers. The School Leavers’ Guide is a great starting point.
When deciding what you might do after school, consider your interests, your likes and
dislikes, your experiences at school, at home and within your community. Think about
hopes and visions for your future and where you want to study, train or work.
In this guide there are sections about career development, further education and
training options, financial assistance available to young people as well as useful contact
details for more detailed information.
I trust you will find this information helpful. Please contact my office on (03) 9808 3188
if I can be of any further assistance. I also encourage you to enrol to vote if you have
not yet done so – simply call my office and I will send you an enrolment form.
Good luck as you make the transition from school and I wish you every success in your
future endeavours.
Yours sincerely,
Julia Banks MP
Federal Member for Chisholm
Level 1, 140 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125 9808 3188
Julia.Banks.MP@aph.gov.au juliabanks.com.au JuliaBanksMP
School Leavers’ Guide 2017
/3
Education and
Training Options
The Australian Government has proposed changes to the higher education system. It is important
that current and future students understand how these changes may affect them.
Visit www.studyassist.gov.au for up-to-date information on these proposed changes.
Vocational Education and If you are considering going directly Private Higher Education
from school to university, it is important
Training (VET) to fully explore university and course Providers
Vocational education and training is requirements. Look at prerequisite Year Approved private higher education
competency-based and directly job- 11 and 12 subjects for courses, and the providers are generally non-university
related. The VET system provides training campuses at which they are offered. higher education providers which offer
for more than 4 million students annually You can visit www.qilt.edu.au to help a range of fee-paying courses leading to
in a wide range of workplace skills and you decide which university is right for a higher education award course. Visit
knowledge-based competencies for a you. www.qilt.edu.au to view and compare
wide range of occupations. VET provides Some universities also run enabling higher education institutes.
employment opportunities for learners courses that can help you build your Currently, only a few of these providers
and a skilled workforce for employers. skills in preparation for study or help have been approved by the Government
Courses are offered through a variety of you if you are unsure about what you to offer Commonwealth supported places.
registered organisations (RTOs) including: might like to study. However, many of them can offer a HELP
• TAFE institutes; It is possible to pursue university loan.
• Private training providers; study by transferring from recognised Further information on higher education
• Secondary schools; VET studies or undertaking pathway can be found at www.studyassist.gov.au
courses.
• Employers and large enterprises;
• Industry organisations;
Applying for University Distance and Online Study
• Community training providers; and You can apply to your chosen university Many providers offer alternative modes
through standard entry (on the basis of study to tertiary students, such
• Universities. of your senior secondary school as online or distance education. You
For more information on VET courses qualifications), special or alternative should check with providers directly.
and training providers visit entry, or advanced standing entry (credit
www.myskills.gov.au transfer or credit for prior learning). One example is Open Universities
Australia (OUA). OUA are owned and
In most states and territories, and operated by a consortium of Australian
in some courses, applications are
Universities processed through a Tertiary Admissions
universities and offers students access
to higher education study regardless of
Universities offer a wide range of (Service) Centre. Contact individual their ATAR, previous education, age or
general and specific courses at universities and Tertiary Admissions location.
undergraduate and postgraduate Centres for further advice.
levels, with subsidised places and loans For more information visit
for study available to some domestic www.open.edu.au
students through the Higher Education
Loan Program (HELP).
4/ With compliments from Julia Banks MP
Education and
Training Options
Apprenticeships and Australian Defence Force You can get up to 800 hours of free
accredited training, starting at your own
Traineeships (ADF) Gap Year Program level and working at your own pace.
An apprenticeship or traineeship is a great The ADF Gap Year program provides Training is delivered flexibly through full-
career path that kick starts your future an opportunity for young Australians, time or part-time hours, via face-to-face
with both a job and structured education who have finished Year 12 or equivalent, or distance training. A work experience
and training. to experience 12 months in the military component can also be included in some
without the obligation to make a longer cases.
It provides you with the opportunity to
commitment. To find out if you are eligible for this
gain real world, hands-on experience
while building important technical, Participants learn practical and leadership program and to get a referral, talk to
business and service skills. skills, enjoy a healthy and varied lifestyle, the Department of Human Services
meet new friends and may even receive (Centrelink) or your local Employment
Anyone of working age can become an Service Provider including:
recognised qualifications to help progress
apprentice or trainee. You don’t need to
their future career - all while getting paid. • jobactive;
have any entry qualifications and there
are a variety of study options at different For more information please visit www. • Disability Employment Services;
certificate levels. defencejobs.gov.au/education/GapYear.
• Community Development Program;
An apprenticeship or traineeship is
• Transition to Work; and
offered in more than 500 occupations Literacy and Numeracy
across sectors including building and • ParentsNext.
construction, health care, agriculture, Support
manufacturing, automotive, tourism, If you are not confident with reading, For further information about SEE visit:
beauty, hospitality, mining and digital writing and maths, you may find it difficult www.education.gov.au/skills-education-
technologies. to get a job. The Skills for Education and and-employment
Research shows that more than 90% of Employment (SEE) program can help
successfully completed trade apprentices you develop speaking, reading, writing
and trainees and more than 80% of or basic maths skills to help you improve
successfully completed non-trade your chances of finding and keeping a job.
apprentices or trainees are employed SEE can help if you:
after training.
• Are from a non-English speaking
Whether you’re looking to become a background and need English
fully qualified tradesperson, a business language training at basic or
manager, a healthcare expert or a financial advanced levels;
planner, an apprenticeship or traineeship
can help get you there. • Need literacy and numeracy training at
basic or advanced levels; or
For more information contact your local
• Need advanced training for work
Australian Apprenticeship Support
purposes.
Network Provider on 13 38 73 or visit
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
School Leavers’ Guide 2017 /5
Financial and
Other Support
The Australian Government has proposed changes to the higher education system. It is important
that current and future students understand how these changes may affect them.
Visit www.studyassist.gov.au for up-to-date information on these proposed changes.
The Government is helping thousands tuition fees at university and other higher A list of approved VET Student Loans
of Australians to become qualified in education providers. providers, eligible courses and course
their chosen field by providing access caps are available at www.education.gov.
Eligible students have access to deferred
to a Commonwealth supported place, a au/vet-student-loans, or search
payment arrangements through HELP. The
student loan through HELP (including VET for providers and courses on
HELP scheme consists of various loans:
Student Loans), or support for apprentices www.myskills.gov.au.
through Trade Support Loans. A loan is a • HECS-HELP is for eligible
serious commitment. It is a real debt that Commonwealth supported students
must be repaid when you reach a certain to cover their student contribution Repaying your HELP Debt
income level (this income level for the amounts; All debts accrued under HELP are indexed
2017-18 income year is $55,874). Make sure • FEE-HELP is for eligible fee-paying each year on 1 June (currently by the
you understand your rights and obligations students to cover their tuition fees; Consumer Price Index). This includes VET
before signing up to any sort of loan. Student Loans.
• SA-HELP is a loan that assists eligible
students to pay for all or part of their Repayments are dependent on your
Commonwealth Supported student services and amenities fee; income. In 2017-18, students will start
Places • OS-HELP is to assist eligible students repaying their HELP debts when their
At the undergraduate level, many who undertake part of their study income reaches the minimum repayment
higher education providers (particularly overseas with a range of associated threshold of over $55,874.
universities) offer Commonwealth expenses, such as airfares and Please note: the Government has
supported places to students who are accommodation. proposed a number of changes to the
Australian citizens. A Commonwealth Further information about the HELP higher education system to commence
supported place means that the loan schemes, including information from 2018, including to the HELP
Government funds part of the cost of on VET Student Loans, can be found at repayment arrangements.
the degree through a direct payment studyassist.gov.au and education.gov.au/
to the university, while you are required For up-to-date information visit
vet-student-loans www.studyassist.gov.au
to pay the rest of the cost (this is called
the student contribution amount). The
taxpayer also pays your portion of the VET Student Loans For more information on HELP
course costs to universities upfront, which repayments, call the Australian Taxation
VET Student Loans assist eligible students Office on 13 28 61 or visit www.ato.gov.au.
you can defer repaying until you are enrolled in eligible higher level (diploma
earning over the threshold amount. and above) vocational education and
training courses at approved course Scholarships
Higher Education Loan providers to pay their tuition fees. The
VET Student Loans program commenced A variety of scholarships and awards are
Programme (HELP) available for students to gain financial
on 1 January 2017, replacing the VET
At the undergraduate and postgraduate FEE-HELP scheme, which closed to new help for their tertiary studies. Details will
levels, HELP assists eligible students with students on 31 December 2016. become available from universities and
their student contribution amounts or other higher education providers during
2017.
6/ With compliments from Julia Banks MP
Financial and
Other Support
Trade Support Loans • Looking for work; or You may be able to get Rent Assistance
• Sick. if you:
An Australian apprentice or trainee
working in a skills need area may be Eligibility is based on many things • Qualify for an income support payment
eligible for a Trade Support Loan of up to including: (special rules apply if you are under
$20,420 to help cover the costs of living 25) or receive more than the base rate
• Your age and whether you are of Family Tax Benefit;
and learning. undertaking an approved course or
The loans are flexible to meet your needs activity; • Pay rent above a certain amount
with money deposited into your bank (called the rent threshold); and
• If you are dependent or independent;
account every month. • Are living in Australia.
• Income and assets tests; and
You choose what to spend the money on.
You can buy work gear such as tools or
• Residency requirements. Low Income Health Care Card
boots or use it to cover living expenses You may be eligible for Youth Allowance If you are a student, looking for work, an
such as rent, phone bills and bus tickets. if you are: Australian Apprentice, or on a low income
• 16–21 years old and looking for full- you may be eligible for a Low Income
You can opt in and out of the loan
time work or undertaking approved Health Care Card. This card entitles you to
anytime and borrow a small amount or
activities; get a prescription filled at a reduced cost
take the full amount over four years.
and other concessions.
Only once you earn $55,874 will you start • 18–24 years old and studying full time;
For more information call 13 24 90 or
repaying the money through the tax • 16 or 17 years old and have completed
visit www.humanservices.gov.au/lic
system. year 12 or equivalent, or undertaking
full-time study and need to live away
For more information contact an ABSTUDY
from home in order to study, or are
Australian Apprenticeship Support
considered independent for Youth ABSTUDY is the Aboriginal and Torres
Network in your region on 13 38 73 or visit
Allowance; or Strait Islander Study Assistance Scheme.
www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait
• 16–24 years old and undertaking a
Islander, ABSTUDY may assist you if you
full-time Australian Apprenticeship.
are:
General Benefits
For more information about Youth • Studying at primary school and you
Department of Human Services Allowance, visit www.humanservices. are at least 14 years of age or over at 1
(DHS) gov.au/youthallowance. January of the year you study;
DHS provides people with relevant You can ask DHS general questions and • Studying at secondary school;
services and payment options, including keep up to date with their latest news on
• Studying full-time or part-time after
referrals to employment service providers, social media.
having left school;
DHS specialists and other departments Like them on Facebook at Student
and agencies. A number of options and • S
tudying a Masters or Doctorate
Update or follow them on Twitter course; or
payments are available for people who are @StudentUpdateAU.
planning to study, train or look for work. • U
ndertaking a full-time Australian
Apprenticeship.
Youth Allowance Rent Assistance For more information call 1800 132 317
Youth Allowance can assist you if you are Rent Assistance is an extra payment to or visit www.humanservices.gov.au/
a young person who is: help with the higher costs of renting in abstudy
the private rental market. Thresholds and
• Studying full-time;
maximum amounts of Rent Assistance
• Undertaking training or a full-time vary according to your family situation.
Australian Apprenticeship;
School Leavers’ Guide 2017 /7
Finding
Employment
A full-time, part-time or casual job brings with it an income, freedom and the chance to learn
new skills. There are a number of ways to get help finding work.
Employment PaTH will maximise the chances of young Transition to Work
Australians under 25 getting a job through
When you are trying to get a job there are the following initiatives: Transition to Work will ensure young
things you can do to make the process people aged 15-21 receive intensive
easier. You might want to: Employability Skills Training support from community-based
organisations with expertise in helping
• Spend some time developing your Beginning on 1 April 2017, Employability them to develop their work-like skills.
career portfolio; Skills Training will be delivered to all
• Consider the skills and attributes that young Australians in jobactive (aged For more information visit
employers are looking for; 15-24 years) within five months of a job www.employment.gov.au/transition-
seeker being in employment services. work
• Learn more about the steps involved
in looking for work;
Internship Placements Engaging Early School
• Get feedback on your résumé and
job applications; From 1 April 2017 up to 30,000 young Leavers
Australians per year will be able to
• Consider directly approaching The Engaging Early School Leavers
volunteer to undertake a 4-12 week
employers to ask about opportunities; initiative strengthens requirements for
internship paying job seekers $200 a
• Practice your interview techniques; and fortnight on top of their income support young people aged 15-21 years who
payment. haven’t completed Year 12 to continue
• Follow up any applications you have
their education or look for work to
circulated. For more information visit receive Youth Allowance.
There are a number of ways to get www.jobactive.gov.au/path
help finding work. You may find the list For more information visit www.
of useful websites at the back of this employment.gov.au/engaging-early-
resource a good place to start. Empowering YOUth Initiatives school-leavers
For more information visit The Empowering YOUth Initiatives
www.employment.gov.au will give young Australians the extra Work for the Dole
help they need to move into work
and will focus on young people who Work for the Dole, part of jobactive,
Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare- are living in regional areas with high helps people aged 18 and over to gain
levels of social disadvantage, early the skills they need to become work-
Trial-Hire) ready and make a contribution to their
school leavers, Indigenous, or those
The Youth Jobs PaTH will help equip young Australians from a culturally and local community.
120,000 young Australians by getting linguistically diverse background. For more information visit
them ready, giving them a go and getting www.employment.gov.au/work-dole
For more information visit
them a job.
www.employment.gov.au/empowering-
youth-initiatives
8/ With compliments from Julia Banks MP
Finding
Employment
The National Work Community and Volunteer
Experience Programme Work
National Work Experience Programme Volunteer work is an excellent way of
aims to build confidence and real life experiencing new challenges and learning
work experience for people, and prepare about the world of work.
them to meet expectations of employers
Volunteers provide a valuable service to
by undertaking unpaid work experience
the community. There are a variety of
with businesses, not-for-profit and
organisations that rely on volunteers and
Government organisations for up to 25
it can be a great way to gain new skills
hours per week for a maximum of four
and build on your work experience.
weeks per placement.
For more information visit
For more information visit
www.volunteeringaustralia.org
www.employment.gov.au/national-work-
experience-programme
Starting a Business
jobactive Starting a business is another option
to consider. There are more than two
jobactive is a national network of private
million small businesses operating
and community organisations dedicated
across Australia and you do not need
to finding jobs for unemployed people.
formal qualifications or business
If you are a registered job seeker and
experience to start and run a business.
in receipt of an eligible income support
payment, jobactive can help you. There are a number of programmes
aimed at helping you build your
Your jobactive provider will enter your
enterprise skills and develop innovative
employment history and education into
ideas, as well as providing sources of
the JobSearch database (jobsearch.gov.
training and education.
au), which will automatically match your
experience against available jobs. For more information visit
www.business.gov.au
For more information about jobactive
visit www.employment.gov.au/jobactive
You can also contact your local Business
Enterprise Centre at www.becaustralia.
org.au for one-on-one advice and help.
School Leavers’ Guide 2017 /9
Additional
Information
Medicare To get your own Medicare card, you You must provide your TFN or a certificate
can download a Medicare enrolment or of an application for a TFN when you
Medicare ensures all Australians have transfer application form (if you are on apply for a study or training loan. You
access to free or low-cost medical, your parents’ card) from the DHS website also need your TFN to be able to apply
optometrical and hospital care. Medicare or visit a DHS Service Centre. for government benefits, lodge your tax
provides access to: return electronically or get an Australian
You will need to provide some form of
• Free treatment and accommodation as business number (ABN). How to apply for
identification (like a passport or student
a public patient in a public hospital; a TFN will depend on your circumstances.
ID). If you haven’t been enrolled before,
• Free or subsidised treatment by you may need to provide eligibility For information on how to apply for a
health professionals such as doctors documents. TFN visit www.ato.gov.au/TFN
(including specialists), participating
optometrists and other allied health Remember to take your Medicare card
For more information contact the ATO on
practitioners; and with you when visiting a doctor or when
13 28 61 or visit www.ato.gov.au
you have a prescription filled.
• Free or subsidised basic dental services
for eligible children between 2 and 17 For more information visit
www.humanservices.gov.au or Unique Student Identifier
years of age.
call 13 20 11. A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a
How to obtain a Medicare Card reference number that links together
training records from different training
You need to enrol in Medicare to get a Enrolling to Vote providers, in different states, and across
Medicare card, which can be used to claim different years – all in the one record.
Medicare benefits and get subsidised Voting is both your right and your
medicines under the Pharmaceutical responsibility as an Australian. It is Students can view their training records
Benefits Scheme. compulsory for all Australians 18 years or transcripts online through their USI
and older to enrol and vote (although you account. They can also download or
You must be one of the following in order can pre-enrol when you turn 16). Failure to print their USI Transcript and share it
to be eligible for Medicare: vote at an election can result in a fine. electronically with training providers and
• An Australian citizen who resides in Enrolling for federal, state and local employers of their choice.
Australia; government elections can be done by All students undertaking nationally
• A New Zealand citizen who resides in filling out a single form, available from the recognized training must provide a USI to
Australia; Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) their training provider unless exempt. It is
website (select Enrol to vote), post offices free and easy to create and stays with you
• An Australian permanent resident or your local Member of Parliament.
(including returned resident) who for life.
resides in Australia; For more information contact the AEC on For more information please visit
13 23 26 or visit www.aec.gov.au www.usi.gov.au.
• An applicant for a permanent resident
status who resides in Australia
(exclusions apply);
Tax File Number
• A resident of a Reciprocal Health Care Your tax file number (TFN) is your
Agreement (RHCA) country who is personal reference number in the tax
visiting Australia; or and superannuation systems. You keep
the same TFN even if you change your
• Covered by a Ministerial Order. name, change jobs, move interstate or go
You may already be listed on your overseas.
parents’ Medicare card. Young people
Your TFN is an important part of your tax
over the age of 15 may enrol on their own
records, as well as your identity, so it’s
Medicare Card.
important to keep it secure.
10 /Useful
Websites
www.australianapprenticeships. www.jobsearch.gov.au www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au
gov.au Current labour market information Australia’s directory of vocational
Learn more about Australian including job prospects, employment training providers and courses, including
Apprenticeships and the benefits of rates and average incomes. information on financial assistance,
combining practical work and training. apprenticeships, employment outcomes,
www.aqf.edu.au career pathways and course satisfaction.
www.aec.gov.au The Australian Qualifications Framework
(AQF) is the national policy for regulated
www.qilt.edu.au
Everything you need to know about
Australia’s electoral system and voting. qualifications in the Australian education Provides students with information
and training system. on survey results covering the higher
education student life cycle from
www.education.gov.au/vet- commencement to employment. It
www.open.edu.au
student-loans publishes overall satisfaction of current
A flexible way to study toward a students and recent graduates, median
Learn more about the eligibility criteria
university degree off campus. salary received by recent graduates
and how to apply for VET Student Loans
and full-time employment rates after
www.volunteeringaustralia.org graduation.
www.gooduniversitiesguide.
com.au Provides information on a range of
opportunities for volunteers. www.studyassist.gov.au
Find courses and places to study using Provides information to students about
various search criteria and ratings on www.defencejobs.gov.au Government assistance with higher
universities, campuses and courses. education.
Provides information on a range of career
www.graduatecareers.com.au and job opportunities in the Australian
Defence Force. www.my.gov.au
Employment support services and A fast, simple way to access government
programmes. www.myskills.gov.au online services including Centerlink,
Medicare and the ATO.
www.humanservices.gov.au Australia’s directory of training available
for school leavers, students, apprentices
For Medicare and Centrelink support and employers throughout the country. www.vtac.edu.au
services and programmes. The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
(VTAC) is the central application point for
admission in to universities in Victoria.
/ 11Notes 12 /
JULIA BANKS MP
HAVE YOUR SAY
Your views are important to me...
If you could fix one problem in our local area, what would it be?
How useful did you find this resource guide? Do you have any suggestions for future editions?
Your details
Please complete the following details so that I can stay in touch and keep you informed.
Title Name
Address
Home ph Mobile ph
Email
Please return to: Julia Banks MP, PO Box 102, Burwood VIC 3125
Email. julia.banks.mp@aph.gov.au
JULIA BANKS MP Level 1, 140 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125
Julia.Banks.MP@aph.gov.au juliabanks.com.au
9808 3188
Federal Member for Chisholm
School Leavers’ Guide 2017 JuliaBanksMP / 13JULIA BANKS MP
Federal Member for Chisholm
Level 1, 140 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125 9808 3188
Julia.Banks.MP@aph.gov.au juliabanks.com.au
JuliaBanksMP
Authorised and printed by Julia Banks MP, Level 1, 140 Burwood Highway, Burwood VIC 3125.
14 / With compliments from Julia Banks MPYou can also read
