Careers News

September Careers Newsletter

Please click on the following link to view the latest edition of the Careers Newsletterhttps://www.sjecareers.com.au/important-information/school-newsletters

In this edition Topics include:

• Important VTAC Dates
• VTAC – Equity Schemes and Scholarships
• Pathway Programs 2027
• Access Monash – For Year 10 & 11 students
• ACU – Bachelor of Educational Studies
• Monash University Updates
• September School Holiday Upcoming Events at Universities
• Swinburne – Applied Technologies
• Updated Courses – La Trobe
• New Business Double Degree – Deakin
• Paramedicine Degrees in Victoria
• Australian Institute of Music
• Photography Studies College
• Career in Travel & Tourism

Reminder: VTAC 2027 Upcoming Key Dates

For a full list of cancelled, amended, and new courses, visit VTAC Course Updates.

VTAC equity schemes and scholarships

If there have been circumstances that have affected your study, you should consider putting in an equity schemes and scholarships application. It is designed to make sure institutions get a sense of your full potential and it enables institutions to consider the circumstances you have experienced and their impact upon your studies when making selection decisions. Some institutions will use this information to offer scholarships.

• It helps institutions understand your full potential by considering the circumstances you have experienced.
• It allows institutions to grant special consideration for course entry.
• It is used by institutions to consider applicants for access and equity scholarships.
• It does not exempt you from meeting the institutional and course requirements.

VTAC have simplified the process for applying for equity schemes and scholarships by combining them into one application. The information you provide in the form will be assessed and could result in you receiving special consideration for a course offer and/or financial support through scholarships. The application covers multiple equity schemes categories across a range of institutions and over 50 scholarships. Submitting an equity schemes and scholarships application does not have an additional cost and is included within your application fee.

Note: This application was formerly referred to as the Special Entry Access Scheme or SEAS.

Eligibility for VTAC equity schemes and scholarships

You are eligible to apply for equity schemes or scholarships if you hold:

• Australian or New Zealand citizenship
• a permanent Australian residency visa, or

• an eligible temporary protection, safe haven, or humanitarian visa holder, or bridging visa holder applying for humanitarian visa. See information for refugees and asylum seekers for further details and exceptions.

   

Additionally, you need to have applied for a course through VTAC and met the course and institutional requirements. The equity schemes and scholarships application will only become available once you have lodged a course application.  

Most international Australian Year 12 applicants are not eligible and are encouraged to contact institutions directly to see if other entry and access programs are available. However, asylum seekers on certain visa subclasses can apply.

How to apply for equity schemes and scholarships through VTAC

Once you submit your VTAC course application, the equity schemes and scholarships application will become available in your VTAC account. Follow the steps below on how to apply.

Step 1. Login to your VTAC account and select 'Equity schemes and scholarships' from the navigation bar. This option will become available after you have submitted and paid for your VTAC course application.

Step 2. Complete the form by answering the yes or no to the prompts for the following categories. You can click on the links below to find more information and the evidence you will need to supply for each category

• Financial hardship
• Living with a disability or medical condition
• Difficult family and life circumstances
• Scholarship benefit statement

Step 3. If you answered yes to any of the categories, you will be asked to provide more information on your specific circumstances or condition relevant to that category. In most cases, you will be asked to provide an impact statement that outlines the circumstance, timeline and the impact it has had on your studies. Complete these additional sections of the form and click 'Save and Continue' until you reach the 'Complete application' screen

Step 4. When you have completed your application click 'Submit application'. You will still be able to make changes to your application until the closing date.

Step 5. For any categories you answered "yes" to that require supporting documentation, the requirements will be listed on your 'Providing Evidence' screen in your VTAC account. For guidance on how to provide supporting evidence, visit the Providing Evidence page.

You can also visit our step-by-step video walk through guide for more information on the application process.

What else do I need to know?

• The personal information and location category is considered as part of your VTAC application, however you do not need to provide any information or evidence for this category within the form. The personal details you supply as part of your VTAC profile will be used to consider you for this category.
• Most categories require additional evidence to support your claims in the form. VTAC recommends that you familiarise yourself with the application requirements so you allow enough time to gather and upload the evidence.
• For a list of institutions who participate in equity schemes through VTAC, click here. For a list of institutions who participate in scholarships through VTAC, click here.

Outcomes and offers

How might equity schemes affect your course application?

Generally, equity schemes allows institutions to grant special consideration for course entry. Your application and supporting evidence will be assessed by an independent panel which VTAC convenes.  Any special consideration for which you are eligible will be applied by each institution you are applying to.

An equity schemes application might increase your chance of being selected to a course. It does not exempt you from meeting any of the institutional and course entry requirements. You must still complete the requirements listed under ‘essential requirements and admission criteria’ for each course you apply to, including prerequisites.

Special consideration does not change your educational results or qualifications and it does not guarantee you an offer.

You will not receive notification of your equity schemes application outcome. 

Because each institution applies special consideration differently, and in accordance with their policies, the outcome of an individual's equity schemes application will be undisclosed. Questions about how equity schemes are used should be directed to institutions.

Did I receive a scholarship offer?

Most institutions notify successful scholarship applicant via the VTAC user account. For information about when scholarships are offered and the offer process, see the scholarship offers page.

Other equity schemes and scholarships

While most institutions participate in equity schemes, there are some institutions that run their own programs outside of the VTAC process. For further information refer to the institution's page or website. For a list of scholarships offered directly by institutions, see Other scholarships not through VTAC.

If you receive Centrelink benefits and need to move for study, you may be eligible for a Centrelink Relocation Scholarship.  Centrelink also offer a repayable Student Start-Up Loan.

Link for Equity Schemes and Scholarships How to:   https://vtac.edu.au/access

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENTS 2026

ACU – Guided Tours

ACU will be running guided tours during the September holidays.

La Trobe Bundoora (Melbourne) Campus – Talk & Tours

Campus Talk and Tours are back for the September school holidays! This is an excellent opportunity for those students who missed out on the Open Day. Tours depart at 10.00am and 12.00pm and take around 45 minutes. Afterwards, students who do not take the

accommodation tour can sit down with a course advisor to chat about study options.

Dates: Tuesday 22 September - Wednesday 23 September 2026

Times: 10.00am - 1.00pm each day

Location: La Trobe University, Plenty Rd, Bundoora

Book at tour at Bundoora Campus Talk & Tours

Melbourne Zoo: Voice for Wildlife Program

Over four action-packed days this program will explore animal welfare, community campaigns, and behaviour change – all through the lens of Zoos Victoria’s Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife campaign. Open to students 14-18 years old, and limited to 30 participants, so students should act quickly!

Dates:              Monday 21 September & Tuesday 24 September 2026

Times:             9.30am – 3.30pm

Cost:                Zoo Member: $495 and Non-Zoo Member: $550

Book a spot at Voice for Wildlife Program | Melbourne Zoo

Monash University: School Holiday Campus Tours

Ready to explore all that Monash has to offer? Whether you’re seeking general insights, tailored course advice, a campus experience, or the chance to connect with our students and staff, our events provide the perfect starting point. We can’t wait to welcome you!

Register at Events - Discover Monash

Monash University: Experience Day Workshops

Discover Monash Art, Design and Architecture these coming school holidays. Explore our Caulfield studios, learn from expert lecturers, and choose from workshops in drawing, design, architecture, or curating. These workshops are best suited to Year 11 and 12 students.

Register at Experience day workshops - Art, Design and Architecture

Monash University: 

Health Student Experience Day

Open to all Year 10 to 12 students interested in a career in health. Explore occupational therapy, physiotherapy, paramedicine, speech pathology, and nursing and midwifery through interactive workshops.

Date:               Tuesday 22 September 2026

Time:               10.00am – 2.00pm

Location:         Monash University Peninsula Campus Frankston

Register at Health Student Experience Day at Peninsula Campus.

RMIT Student for a Day

Students in Years 10 – 12 are invited to get some hands-on time with a study area they are interested in, explore something entirely new, and experience their future uni campus.

Date:               Wednesday 30 September 2026

Time:               10.00am – 3.30pm

Location:        Storey Hall auditorium, Building 16 RMIT University City Campus

Find out more about the program and/or register at RMIT Student for a Day.

SAE Institute – Create for a Day

Dive into creative projects just like a real SAE student. Create for a Day is all about 

exploring what you love. Choose from a range of hands-on creative workshops led by SAE mentors and dive into a project that inspires you.

Date:               Saturday 3 October 2026

Time:               10.00am – 3.00pm

Location:        235 Normanby Road in South Melbourne

Cost:                $25 (including lunch)

Find out more about the program and/or register at SAE Institute – Create for a DayMelbourne.

Whitehouse Institute of Design Workshops

Whitehouse Institute of Design is running a couple of workshops over the holidays. Students interested in fashion – whether it is creating garments, or fashion photography – might be keen on signing up for one of the following:

STUDIO LIGHTING AND FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY

This is a hands-on 1-day workshop designed for aspiring photographers eager to learn the fundamentals of camera settings, studio lighting, and fashion photography.

Dates:              Monday 21 September 2026

Time:               10.00am – 4.00pm

Venue:            Whitehouse Institute of Design, Level 4/672 Bourke St, Melbourne

Book a spot here for the workshop

FOUNDATIONAL SEWING WORKSHOP

This workshop is for aspiring designers and recommended as a starting point for those wishing to develop their illustration skills. At the end of this workshop, you will have the skills to produce a strong portfolio.

Dates:              Saturday 19 September 2026

Time:               10.00am – 3.00pm

Venue:            Whitehouse Institute of Design, Level 4/672 Bourke St, Melbourne

Book a spot here for the workshop

William Angliss Institute Patisserie Experience Day

Year 10 – 12 students will create delicious treats, enjoy lunch at one of the student-run venues, and discover the sweet side of culinary arts.

Date:               Tuesday 22 September 2026

Time:               9.00am – 1.00pm OR 12.00pm – 4.00pm (pick a session) 

Location:        William Angliss Institute, 555 La Trobe St, Melbourne 

Cost:               $45

Find out more and/or register at Patisserie Experience Day

ACU Free VCE and Study Skill Online Workshop

Access Monash invites current Year 10 and 11s to participate in the 2027 Access Monash Mentoring and MasterKey programs

Access Monash Mentoring offers tailored support to Year 11 and 12 students through mentorship from current Monash students. Through engagement with near-peers from similar backgrounds, mentees gain authentic insights into university life while developing their own higher education competencies.

Access Monash MasterKey is a guided online course designed to equip Year 11 and 12 students with the essential skills and capabilities to support a smooth and confident transition to higher education. Through interactive, self-paced modules, students develop proven study strategies, insider tips for navigating university, and build on their existing strengths to thrive in VCE and into the future.

Register for any of the following online information sessions where our team will share all the details about Access Monash Mentoring and MasterKey in 2027:

Monday 26 October, 4pm - 5pm →register here

Tuesday 27 October, 5pm - 6pm →register here

Wednesday 28 October, 6pm - 7pm →register here

There will be separate application forms for each program. Both will require students to submit a parent/guardian consent form before the closing date. 

• Applications open on Monday, 5 October 2026 at 9:00am
• Applications close on Monday, 16 November 2026 at 9:00am