Earn while you learn
You can undertake paid employment and training through apprenticeships
and traineeships, by joining the Defence Forces or doing other
on-thejob accredited training. This is a great way to learn on
the job while you earn and usually involves
some study through TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
There may be Group Training Organisations that visit your school
to help you plan this career move.
Other sources of
information are:
Apprenticeships
and traineeships
School students have access to part-time apprenticeships and
traineeships. You can be
working part-time and completing all or some of your qualification
while still attending school. On completion of Year 12, you
could have a nationally recognised vocational qualification
such as Certificate II or III.
School based traineeships and apprenticeships are available in
a wide range of areas including hospitality, information technology,
hairdressing, aged care, child care, horticulture and office administration.
VET courses
VET, or Vocational Education and Training, is another way to develop
specific employment skills and qualifications in an industry area
while still attending school. VET courses are available in Years
10, 11 and 12 and are designed to develop entry-level work skills
for industries such as tourism and hospitality, construction, retail,
information technology, horticulture, business administration and
others.
These courses are taught at school by accredited teachers
and all modules you study are recorded on your Senior Statement.
Australian Defence Forces
The Australian Army, Navy and Air Force recruit Australians aged
17 years and over to a wide variety of careers. There are rigorous
entry requirements but if accepted, the Defence Forces will pay
you to study at university, in a trade or for a technical qualification
with a return of service contract.
For more information on careers in the Defence Forces, check their
website at www.defencejobs.gov.au or call 13 19 01 or visit one
of the Defence Recruiting Centres located at Brisbane, Cairns,
Coolangatta, Maroochydore, Toowoomba and
Townsville.
What are my tertiary study options?
Tertiary study refers to undergraduate studies such as diplomas,
advanced diplomas, associate degrees, degrees and postgraduate
degrees. Certificate level courses may also be offered. Tertiary
institutions can be public or private and include universities,
colleges and TAFE institutions. Tertiary courses can be undertaken
full-time, part-time or externally (by distance education or online).
Completing a university course is a good investment in your future.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicate that the workforce
is becoming increasingly educated. Many professional jobs require
tertiary level qualifications. Research shows that people with
a tertiary education earn higher levels of income. University graduates
also have a higher employment rate than the rest of the population.
The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) manages the application
and offer process for most Queensland and northern New South Wales
tertiary institutions. QTAC produces a range of resources to help
you explore your options for tertiary study.
Their website www.qtac.edu.au has information on how to apply,
a Search Courses tool and the online application. All current QLD
Year 12 students will also receive a free copy of the QTAC Guide.
This publication is also available for sale at most newsagents.
What does tertiary study cost?
Always check the fees and costs for an individual course before
applying.
Approximate costs are provided in the QTAC Guide and on the website.
Information on eligibility for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
at public universities, and HECs-HELP loans to defer these costs
is available in the QTAC Guide. FEE-HELP loans for full fee courses
may also be available.
Information about higher education costs, and loans and scholarships
are available at www.goingtouni.gov.au. Course costs for TAFE QLD
courses will be available from the 25 September 2009 on the QTAC
website.
You may be eligible for financial assistance. For more information
visit the
Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au.Commonwealth
and Institution Scholarships are also available. See the QTAC Guide
for more information.
TAFE Queensland
TAFE institutes and colleges offer a diverse range of vocational
courses in Queensland. These include:
- Certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses;
- Pre-employment programs such as pre apprenticeship and pre-vocational
courses
- Preparatory courses such as access to work and bridging programs
to provide background knowledge and skills..
TAFE course emphasise practical skills and a qualification from
TAFE may be your ticket to a job or provide a pathway to entry
to a university. You may also get credit towards a university degree.
For more information go to www.tafe.qld.gov.au or contact your
local TAFE institute..
University
Universities offer many undergraduate degrees. Most bachelor degrees
take 3-4 years fulltime. Consider your interests and the course
content and ensure that the possible career outcomes appeal to
you. If you are still not sure on your final career goal, consider
general courses such as Bachelor of Arts or Science that give you
time to explore your interests.
Gather as much information as you can. Contact details and websites
for participating universities are available from QTAC. Attend
open days of the institutions you are considering. Dates are advertised
on institution websites, the QTAC Guide and website, in schools
and in the local media. Visit each campus to see whether the tertiary
institution suits your needs and appeals to you. Consider campus
location, travel, accommodation and course costs..
The Good Universities Guide 2010, available
from the website www.gooduniguide.com.au provides detailed course
and fee information for all
universities, TAFE and private providers in Australia
What is uni like?
Your university experience will depend on the course you choose
and the
campus you attend. Regional universities often have smaller lectures
and tutorials. In large city universities, you may be sharing a
class with hundreds of other students.
University level study is quite different from secondary study.
You will need independent learning skills and self reliance. Be
proactive and take responsibility for your progress.
All universities have Student Support Services. Seek out the information,
requirements,
services, support and advice that you need.
How to apply
Getting into university is a competitive process. In general, for
most university courses, TAFE full-time diplomas and some private
college courses, you apply through QTAC.
You will be selected on the basis of:
- eligibility (satisfying minimum entry requirements
such as prerequisite subjects, auditions, folios, interviews, entrance
exams)
- merit (OP or QTAC Selection Rank).
For some TAFE courses or courses offered by some private providers,
you apply directly to the institution. If you are applying interstate,
you may need to apply through the admissions centre in that state.
See your guidance counsellor or QTAC for more information.
Their website www.qtac.edu.au has
information on how to apply, a Search Courses tool and the online
application. All current QLD Year 12 students will also receive
a free copy of the QTAC Guide. This publication is also available
for sale at most newsagents
Queensland Tertiary Admissions
Centre (QTAC)
The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) manages the application
and offer process for most Queensland and northern New South Wales
tertiary institutions. QTAC produces a range of resources to help
you explore your options for tertiary study.
There are 2 online applications. Current Year 12 students use
the Twelve to Tertiary (TTT) application.Year 12 students that
are not eligible for an OP can also apply for tertiary entrance.
You can select up to six course preferences in your QTAC application.
Check the minimum entry requirements and previous cut-offs. Build
in a range of courses from your ideal choices to realistic and
then foot-in-the-door courses. The order of your
preferences is very important so check the QTAC Guide carefully
and seek assistance from your school career adviser.
Online applications for courses commencing September 2009 through
to August 2010 are open from 1 July 2009. The due date for on-time
applications is 30 September 2009. Applications will be accepted
after this, although increased applications fees may apply and
entry to courses with fixed closing dates may not be possible.
You are able to change your preferences after you lodge your application.
The major offer round for most courses commencing Semester 1 2010
is on 14 January 2010. The major offer round for some courses including
Bond University and some creative/performing arts courses is on
17 December, 2009. A top up round of offers will be made on 4 February
2010 to fill any vacancies still available. Continuing offers to
any remaining vacancies in some courses occur throughout February
and March 2010. The major offer round for most courses that commence
Semester 2 2010 will occur 3 June 2010.
For more information, visit the QTAC website www.qtac.edu.au or contact 1300 GO QTAC (1300 467 822).
Upgrading for further
study
If you do not gain entry to the course of your choice, there are
many ways to upgrade and improve your chances. You can build in
upgrading pathways into your application. For example, many diplomas
are recognised for credit towards university programs.
Consider
credit transfer when upgrading via tertiary study. Explore these
pathways with your school careers advisor and with institution
admissions and faculty staff at open days.
As well as upgrading via tertiary study, a number of other options
are available to you after Year 12:
- Repeat Year 12
- External senior studies
- Preparatory or bridging courses such as Certificate IV in
Adult Tertiary Preparation
- Specific bridging programs for particular groups (such as
Indigenous Australians, women, mature age and international
students)
- Diploma or certificate courses
- Alternative entry pathways.
How to defer your study
You can apply for tertiary courses now and then request to defer
your start date for 6 or 12 months, depending on institution policies
and course intakes. Check the deferment policies for each institution
in the QTAC Guide, on the website or directly with the institution.
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