Pathways and Transition

Mrs Kalo Bell – Head of Pathways and Transition; career counselling and pathway planning pathways@johnxxiii.edu.au | 08 9383 0416

Mrs Kelli Beaton – Pathways Assistant; VET and workplace learning coordination pathways@johnxxiii.edu.au | 08 9383 0417

In the Pathways and Transition Newsletter, read about:

• What’s new this week?
• University News
• Training and VET News
• Other Pathways News
• Career Resources

Kalo Bell

Head of Pathways and Transition

Pathways Picks

This week’s recommended reading

• What to do in high school if you want to study medicine – Study Work Grow
• Career opportunities in medicine beyond being a doctor – Study Work Grow

Curtin University Open Day Postponed

Curtin University has announced that due to the approaching cyclone and forecasted extreme weather across Perth, Curtin Open Day 2026, scheduled for this Sunday, has been postponed. While cyclone conditions are unpredictable and can change quickly, the current outlook means the university cannot safely set up or deliver the event.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to reach out to their expert future student advisors for advice and support.

28 March ANU Open Day 

Join the Australian National University (ANU) for Open Day 2026 on Saturday, 28 March. Register HERE for the ‘watch and listen’ Open Day experience - fill in your details and unlock access to over 50 videos, enjoy virtual tours and access informative sessions.

17 – 19 April See Resi-Scape Awards for Landscape Architects at Perth Garden Show 

Finalists in Small to Medium Residential Landscaping Awards will be on display at the Perth Garden Show at McCallum Park, near the Boorloo Bridge in Victoria Park. 

For a career in Landscape Gardening see:

• Landscaping courses at South Metro TAFE 
• Landscaping courses at North Metro TAFE

Filmbites Animation Skills for Age 9 - 18

Dive into the work of animation with this 2D Animation course designed for students aged 9-18!

Learn fundamental skills like creating walk cycles, mastering motion, designing characters with unique personalities, and telling compelling stories through animation.

• Beginner Animation Ages 9 – 13. 
• Intermediate Ages 11-14

• Advanced Ages 14+

   

At Filmbites Malaga 4:30–6pm Tuesdays. Check out the April holiday courses HERE.

22 April Years 11 and 12 Engineering Showcase Evening

The Engineering Showcase Evening at Joondalup campus begins with light refreshments at 4:30pm, followed by a presentation at 5:00pm. Afterward, they’ll take you on a tour of their state-of-the-art engineering facilities. You’ll also hear from current students and alumni who will share their experiences at ECU and discuss their transition into exciting industry roles. Plus, you’ll have the chance to engage with their academic staff.

Register HERE.

Murdoch University: Year 9 – 10 Opportunities

8 or 9 April ‘Student for a Day’ Murdoch University Student

Year 9 and 10 students are invited to explore their interests and where they could lead through a Day in the Life of a Murdoch University Student. You will create your own timetable of hands-on activities in subjects of interest and speak with current students. 

Kim Beazley Lecture Theatre, Murdoch Uni. 8:30am -3:30pm. 

See the variety of potential workshops by scanning the QR code. 

Get tickets HERE. 

Year 12 Students – TISC 2027 Brochure 

TISC’s 2027 UNIVERSITY ADMISSION brochure: Admission Requirements for School Leavers completing Year 12 in 2026 can be accessed HERE.

Murdoch Scholarship Opportunity for Year 12 Students

Ngala Kwop Biddi - Brighter Futures Scholarship extended for three years 

Murdoch is proud to announce that the Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship has been extended for a further three years to support school leavers in 2026-2028. Each WA Secondary School will be able to nominate one of their graduating Year 12 students, who, by their leadership and activity, has effected positive change in their school or community.

The Ngala Kwop Biddi Brighter Futures Scholarship is valued at $12,000. For informati,on go HERE.

UWA Scholarship Opportunities for Year 12 Students

The following scholarships are now OPEN for applications. 

UWA Fogarty Foundation Scholarship – closes 15 May 2026

• Up to 10 scholarships for WA Year 12 students*
• Predicted minimum ATAR of 98+
• Valued at $12,500 per year.

*Be enrolled as a domestic student in Year 12 at a Western Australian secondary school at the time of application. 

More details and how to apply

UWA Winthrop Scholarship – closes 20 June 2026

• Up to 10 scholarships for domestic Year 12 students*
• Recognises academic excellence, leadership vision, and community involvement
• Achieve an ATAR of 95+
• Valued at $10,000 per year.

*An Australian citizen or permanent resident, or holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa or a New Zealand citizen. 

More details and how to apply

Go to Open Days 2026 

All Year 10+ students who want to go to university in WA should go to at least two Open Days:

1. To the one closest to where you live.

2. The one with the courses and campus life that will make your life better. 

    

These myfuture tips will help you make the most of open days:

• 8 ways to a great university open day
• Preparing for an open day
• How to make the most of open days and career expos.

University Open Day Calendar 2026

2026 Medicine - University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) Dates 

If you want to apply for medicine for 2027, you will need to undertake a UCAT assessment. 

These are the important dates for UCAT in 2026: Deadline times are 11:59pm AEST - Australian Eastern Standard Time

Sign up for notices on the UCAT ANZ website.

ECU WAAPA 2026 Short Courses Announced

As WAAPA was shifting to the new city campus, they did not have short courses over the summer holidays. The 2026 WAAPA short courses have now been announced:

Weekend Workshops (some start in May)

• Acting Audition Masterclass
• The Actor's Lab
• The Screen Actor's Lab

Music

Whether you’re a singer or instrumentalist, a classical musician, jazz musician or contemporary musician, WAAPA’s staff present a range of workshops to help you prepare for your WACE exams, WAAPA audition, master your instrument or just have fun.

 Some music workshops are free and on weekends:

13 – 17 July Winter School for Years 7 - 12

• Acting for Camera
• Acting for Stage
• Dance Squad
• Music Theatre Kickstarter

Earlybird Price closes 1 June 2026

Year 12 Opportunities

Find the huge range of scholarships available 

Register for Scholarship Alerts NOW!

You can create scholarship alerts through the Good Universities Guide and through universities. 

• Good Universities Guide
• Curtin
• ECU
• Murdoch
• Notre Dame
• UWA 

Get Five tips for a strong scholarship application. 

There are a number of scholarships available and for a range of industries: 

• The Country Education Foundation
• Commonwealth Teaching Scholarship
• Indigenous Pathways Portal.
• ADCET Scholarships for people with disability

New 2027 Undergraduate Course Guides (WA Universities) 

Curtin Undergraduate Course Guide 2027

ECU Undergraduate Guide to Careers & Courses 2027

Murdoch Undergraduate Course Guide 2026/2027

Notre Dame Undergraduate Guide 2027

UWA Undergraduate Course Guide 2027

Offsite Study Options for Year 11 and 12 Students 

For students who decide to pursue a senior secondary pathway other than studying 5 or 6 ATAR courses, John XXIII College partners with South and North Metropolitan TAFE Colleges as well as other private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs,) in order to offer Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS.) Our commonly used partners could include:

• North Metropolitan TAFE
• South Metropolitan TAFE
• FEC (Fremantle Education Centre)
• Diamond High Performance
• Health Science Hub

• Mount Pleasant College

   

Co-Payment

Please note that a co-payment will be required for offsite Certificate courses with annual fees exceeding $2000 per annum.

Students and families for whom following a pathway other than studying five or six ATAR courses is of interest are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with the Pathways and Transition team.

Jobs and Skills Centre for Apprenticeships and Traineeships 

Parents, employers and students can get free, government-funded information and guidance about apprenticeships and traineeships from one of the Jobs and Skills Centres.

If you think a trade or traineeship could be a good pathway for you, go to a Jobs and Skills Centre. 

WA Government Kickstart Program

About a third of Australia’s jobs are in government. Whether you want to work in agriculture or the arts, there could be an opportunity that will be perfect for you. 

Check out all the different government departments, in Western Australia. 

The State government has opportunities for:

• Traineeships
• Work experience
• Internships and vacation programs

• Graduate cadetships. 

   

Explore opportunities to do work experience in a government office HERE.

Save money – Choose an apprenticeship on the priority list

Commonwealth Government Funding

The Australian Apprenticeships Priority List identifies courses eligible for fee-free courses and incentives to employers. There are 26 pages of Priority Occupations where there are skills shortages. 

You usually have to pay for the tools and equipment needed for the course, but there are no course fees. 

State government FREE VET pathways 

The West Australian government subsidises VET courses for occupations where we have specific skills shortages. See the Fee-free and low-fee course finder.

Year 12 Students 2027 Opportunities: 31 March Applications Close Rotary Youth Exchange

Consider this opportunity to study abroad through an exchange program. Rotary Youth Exchange is run through Rotary clubs around the world. To find details about how to apply for 2027, go HERE.

Girls + Engineering Tomorrow (GET) for 2026

Applications close 5 April 2026

The GET Network is a 10-session program designed to support and inspire girls in Years 11 & 12 who are interested in exploring engineering. The program runs over Terms 2 & 3 at Curtin University on Saturday mornings, providing study support and opportunities to explore engineering through engaging workshops, mentors and study pathways.

The program will offer an opportunity to: 

• Meet like-minded peers
• Meet industry role models
• Connect with our university Student Mentors
• Participate in a range of engineering-themed activities and workshops

• Learn about engineering courses and careers

   

The program runs on Saturday mornings from May to September. Find details HERE.

Global Voices Fellowship (for young Australians 18+)

If you are interested in senior school HaSS subjects leading to a career in law, government, or international relations, sign up for notifications from the Global Voices Fellowship program. It focuses on practical experience in policy making and international relations. Even the application process will help you to develop knowledge and skills. 

This is a program that you could enter during your university studies. 

Check it out HERE.  

WA Police Recruitment Sessions 

Are you interested in learning more about a career with WA Police Force?

Recruitment information sessions are held at the WA Police Force Academy in Joondalup, where you can learn more about the application process and life as a police officer.

Their Recruiting Team will provide an overview of the selection process and training requirements. Register for the next session by going HERE.

Police Cadets

Australian or New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Australian Resident aged between 17 and 19.

Please note, applicants can apply at 16; however, they must be 17 years old upon selection to a Cadet school. Find details HERE.

The Morrisby Profile

All John XXIII College students in Years 10, 11 and 12 have completed their Morrisby Profile (in Years 9 or 10), providing a valuable resource for career exploration and pathway planning. Students are encouraged to log back into their Morrisby Profiles regularly to view new career matches and information. Morrisby can also be a useful tool for facilitating career discussions between young people and their parents.

Troubleshooting with logins, etc, can be directed to Mrs Bell, Head of Pathways and Transition.

MyFuture – your one-stop shop for career information

Do quizzes, watch career videos, check out courses, and what happens when you get into the job. MyFuture takes you on a career exploration pathway. 

• MyFuture is thorough and delivers loads of free information.
• It is supported by ALL Australian governments. 
• The information is not biased by someone trying to sell you something. 

• They have a strong privacy policy and DO NOT share your data. 

   

You can register HERE.

Your Career

Search industries and occupations to find a career that’s right for you and what you can do to get there. Take a career quiz. Explore fee-free TAFE. Take an interactive quiz to see what literacy and numeracy skills you’ll use in your chosen industry. 

Click HERE to explore.

Kalo Bell

Head of Pathways and Transition