Careers 

What’s Coming Up in Careers at Boorowa Central

HSC Key Dates

• HSC written exams finish: Thursday 5 November 2026
• HSC results released: Wednesday 16 December 2026

UAC Key Dates

• Educational Access Scheme (EAS) applications close (for December Round 2): 19 November 2026
• ATARs released: 16 December 2026
• December Round 2 offers released: 23 December 2026

Stage 5 Work Experience – Term 4, Week 8

Monday 30 November – Friday 4 December 2026

A reminder that all Stage 5 students at Boorowa Central School have the opportunity to participate in Work Experience during Week 8 of Term 4 (30 November – 4 December 2026).

Work Experience is a valuable opportunity for students to explore potential career pathways, develop employability skills and gain firsthand experience in a real workplace. It allows students to discover what different jobs involve, build confidence and make more informed decisions about their future education, training and employment options.

Students are encouraged to consider industries that interest them and begin contacting potential employers as soon as possible. Parents and carers are encouraged to support students in identifying suitable workplaces and making arrangements.

📋 Important: Paperwork Due Friday 13 November

All students must return their completed Student Placement Record (SPR) paperwork to Miss Moorby by Friday 13 November 2026.

This earlier deadline is necessary due to the upcoming Gold Coast excursion and will allow sufficient time for all placements to be reviewed, approved and finalised before Work Experience begins.

Students are reminded that their paperwork must be completed and signed by all relevant parties. Students cannot commence Work Experience until their placement has been approved by the school.

Students are being supported by both Miss Moorby, Careers Adviser, and their Year Adviser during RAGE lessons to assist with organising placements and completing the required documentation.

Work Experience is an excellent opportunity to explore different careers, develop independence and gain valuable workplace skills.

If you have any questions or require assistance organising a placement, please contact Miss Moorby, Careers Adviser.

Career Spotlight: 

Drone Pilot

Turn your interest in technology into a career!

Have you ever thought about getting paid to fly a drone? What might seem like a hobby can actually lead to an exciting career in agriculture, emergency services, construction, filmmaking and environmental science.

Drone Pilots, also known as Remote Pilots, operate remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) to collect information, capture images, inspect infrastructure and complete tasks that would otherwise be difficult, expensive or dangerous.

As drone technology continues to develop, opportunities are emerging across a wide range of industries, including right here in regional NSW!

What Does a Drone Pilot Do?

A Drone Pilot's responsibilities depend on the industry they work in. Some of their daily tasks might include:

• Agriculture: Monitoring crops, checking livestock, mapping paddocks and assessing plant health.
• Emergency Services: Assisting with search and rescue operations, bushfire monitoring and disaster assessments.
• Construction: Surveying building sites, monitoring construction progress and inspecting structures.
• Film and Photography: Capturing aerial footage for television, advertising, tourism and real estate.
• Environmental Science: Monitoring wildlife, surveying vegetation and assessing environmental changes.
• Mining and Engineering: Mapping land, inspecting equipment and collecting geographical data.
• Energy and Utilities: Inspecting powerlines, wind turbines, solar farms and other infrastructure.

Drone Pilots do more than simply fly aircraft. They also plan flights, assess weather conditions, manage safety risks, operate specialised cameras and sensors, and analyse the information collected.

How Do You Become a Drone Pilot?

Unlike many aviation careers, you do not necessarily need a university degree to become a professional Drone Pilot.

In Australia, drone operations are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The qualifications and approvals you need depend on the type of drone, where you fly it and what you intend to do with it.

Pathway 1: Start with Recreational Flying

Students can begin by learning to fly a drone recreationally.

This is a great way to develop practical skills, including aircraft control, flight planning, navigation and understanding aviation safety.

Recreational pilots must follow CASA's drone safety rules, including restrictions on flying near people, airports and other aircraft.

Pathway 2: Commercial Drone Operations

Some commercial drone work can be completed without a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL).

For example, CASA allows certain lower-risk commercial operations with drones weighing 2 kg or less under the excluded category, provided operators meet the relevant conditions, including registration and accreditation requirements.

However, these operations are restricted, and more complex work generally requires additional qualifications and approvals.

Pathway 3: Obtain a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL)

For students interested in pursuing drone flying as a career, obtaining a Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) can open up more opportunities.

Training is completed through a CASA-approved training organisation and generally covers:

• Aviation laws and regulations
• Flight planning and risk assessment
• Meteorology and weather conditions
• Aircraft systems and maintenance
• Navigation and airspace requirements
• Practical drone flying and emergency procedures

Training duration and costs vary depending on the provider and the type of drone qualification.

Important: A RePL does not automatically allow someone to undertake every commercial drone operation. Many operations must also be conducted under an organisation holding a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator's Certificate (ReOC), with additional approvals required for certain activities.

Pathway 4: Further Study and Specialisation

Students can combine drone qualifications with further study in areas such as:

• Aviation
• Agriculture and agronomy
• Surveying and geospatial science
• Environmental science
• Engineering
• Information technology
• Photography and filmmaking

For example, a student interested in agriculture could combine drone training with agricultural studies to work in precision farming, while someone interested in engineering could specialise in infrastructure inspections.

Drone Careers in Regional NSW

Drone technology is becoming increasingly useful in rural industries, making this a particularly interesting career for students in Boorowa and the surrounding Hilltops region.

Farmers and agricultural businesses can use drones to monitor crop health, identify irrigation problems, assess storm damage and create detailed property maps.

There are also opportunities in surveying, construction, real estate, environmental monitoring and infrastructure maintenance.

For students who enjoy agriculture but are also interested in technology, precision agriculture and drone operations could provide an exciting combination of both interests.

How Can You Get Started While at School?

Students interested in becoming Drone Pilots can begin developing relevant skills now!

Useful school subjects include:

• Mathematics: Navigation, measurements, coordinates and calculations.
• Science: Understanding weather, forces, flight and technology.
• Geography: Mapping, landforms and geographical information systems.
• Agriculture: Exploring how drones support modern farming.
• Computing and Technology: Understanding software, automation and data collection.
• Visual Arts and Photography: Developing skills in aerial photography and videography.

Students could also explore recreational drone flying, participate in technology projects or investigate work experience opportunities with agricultural businesses, surveyors, photographers or organisations that use drone technology.

What Skills Make a Good Drone Pilot?

Successful Drone Pilots need more than good flying skills. Employers value people who demonstrate:

• Excellent hand-eye coordination
• Strong attention to detail
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills
• An understanding of technology