Careers Corner

Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

While you are in Year 12 you will need to start planning for life after school. If you want to go on to tertiary education, you also need to research and apply for courses.

From Monday 4 August 2025 you will be able to submit your application for tertiary courses starting in 2026. The deadline for timely applications is 5pm, Monday 29 September 2025. Special consideration (SEAS) and scholarship applications close on 10 October 2025 (5pm). 

The VTAC Year 12 Guide

https://vtac.edu.au/guides/y12guide is designed to lead you through the process of researching tertiary education and applying for courses, special consideration (SEAS) and scholarships.

VTAC Summary

• 4th August 2025: Applications for courses open including equity schemes and scholarships applications
• Get Started! Submit course applications. 
• Create an account: Before you can apply for courses, you must create a VTAC account. https://vtac.edu.au/ Click on the login button and then Sign up now. You will need to verify your email address. Do not provide your school email – use your personal email for VTAC applications.
• Complete your profile: This is where you provide us with personal and contact details, your citizenship status and education background so we can determine the courses you are eligible for. For more information, see Completing your profile.
• Enter correct legal name (as it appears on your birth certificate)
• *Receive VTAC ID

Skills in Demand

Skills in demand in the workforce gives students an opportunity to actively acquire these during high school. 

To push your career forward, consider pursuing in-demand skills to expand your knowledge and capabilities and set yourself apart from other candidates. 

To help you remain a competitive job candidate, here are some of the most in-demand skills you should look to develop.

These skills include. 

• Cloud Computing 
• Artificial Intelligence
• Sales Leadership
• Analysis
• People Management
• Creativity
• Collaboration and Adaptability. 

Students should keep up to date with labour market trends and particularly the skills and outlooks that top employers are seeking helps students prepare to succeed. It is never too early for students to start building up skills. 

Students need to know that employers highly value people who are creative, resilient, adaptable and possess good emotional intelligence. 

Students can start identifying areas they need to strengthen and be satisfied of the skills they already have.

For more information on the 20 Skills in Demand in Today’s Workforce can be sourced at website: 

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/in-demand-skills

It is recommended that students attend Careers Expos and University/TAFE Open Days and ask questions about skills graduates’ need. 

• Include Unique Student Identifier (USI). If you do not have one, please see https://www.usi.gov.au/students/get-a-usi
• Submit Preferences and pay fee upon submissions;
• If required, complete equity schemes and scholarships application – need to provide evidence.
• Use your Login at VTAC;
• Go to Dashboard and Key dates; Prompts are on the left hand side;
• Tick February 2026 for intended time to study;
• Save all Information (Green Box).
• Course Preferences: Apply filters (Various search options)
• Add up to 8 preferences

Skills Students Need to Succeed

Students can use a variety of learning skills to succeed in their studies and future employment. These skills involve soft skills and thinking strategies that students can use to solve problems, ask thoughtful questions and further develop their understanding. 

Navigating a successful long-term career requires a blend of skills that evolve over time – but what are the core skills that will help you to succeed in your role? While technical know-how is important, it's often the soft skills that make the biggest difference. Here’s a rundown of the essential skills you'll need to thrive throughout your career, no matter the industry.

The below skills always feature as important for career and life success. These include:

• Ability to communicate well 
• Teamwork
• Social and emotional intelligence – empathy 
• Self-management
• Willingness to learn and adapt to change 
• Resilience
• Problem solving
• Information Technology skills 

2025 July School Holiday Events and Open Days

Melbourne Career Expo 25-27 July 2025

The Melbourne Career Expo is the most comprehensive and exciting careers event in Australia. This expo encompasses all career opportunities from employment to education and training in the trades, corporate and professional sectors. https://www.careerexpo.com.au/ 

Discover ACU – Melbourne Campus Events & Webinar Discover ACU is designed to give you an exciting first taste of specific disciplines, with an opportunity to speak with current ACU students to find out what life is like in your study area. Discover ACU - https://www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/future-student-events/discover-acu/victoria

La Trobe Melbourne 

Experience a Day in the Life See what Uni is actually like at Experience La Trobe. Join a day of workshops, classroom activities, and faculty visits in the study areas you are interested in. Event schedule Tuesday 8 July 9.00am – 2.00pm Register at Experience La Trobe – Melbourne https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/experience-la-trobe-melbourne-registration-1204368130499

Discover Monash 

Events Monash University will be hosting several Discover Monash events or activities over the coming weeks. Unless specified online**, these will be face-to-face events. Participating in one or more of these events will assist students in making informed choices about their study options after Year 12. Website: https://www.monash.edu/discover/events

RMIT: Tech & Trades Day 

 Explore next-level workshops at RMIT's Tech and Trades Experience Day in the July school holidays. Walk in the shoes of a student for a day and experience what it's like to learn an IT, tech, or trade course. 

Website: https://www.rmit.edu.au/events/2025/july/tech-trades-experience-day

Melbourne University Open Day

Sunday 17th August 2025 – 10am to 4pm (Parkville and Southbank Campuses)

Are you ready to experience Melbourne University Open Day? 

From biomechanics to biology, Plato to 3D printing, Open Day is where your curiosity meets hands-on discovery.

Tour labs, learning spaces and accommodation, get stuck into creative workshops, quiz our lecturers and explore everything from ancient artefacts to AI – Open Day is your chance to experience what it’s really like to study, live and thrive at Melbourne. Register for Open Day to access the event planner, where you can view the full program and build a personalised schedule. 

Search sessions by study area, time or type, and you’ll even receive map links straight to your inbox, so you’ll know exactly where to go on the day.

https://study.unimelb.edu.au/openday/whats-on? 

Zoos Victoria Careers Expo 2025 

Join Zoos Victoria experts for the 2025 Careers Expo at Melbourne Zoo. This event is recommended for students in Years 9-12 who are interested in exploring different careers in the world of wildlife, conservation, environment, animal welfare, and more. Website: https://www.zoo.org.au/zoos-victoria-careers-expo

Please do not hesitate to contact the Careers and Pathways Coordinator for assistance. 

Chris Kotsonis 

Careers and Pathways Coordinator

Email: Chris.Kotsonis@education.vic.gov.au