Careers Corner
Thinking About Life After School?
Deciding what to do after finishing school can feel overwhelming. After more than a decade in the classroom, stepping into the next stage of your life is a big change and it’s completely normal to feel unsure about what comes next.
If you are feeling confused or uncertain, you are certainly not the only one. Many young people explore a range of possibilities before finding the path that feels right for them.
To support you as you consider your future, Headspace has created a list of options for you to consider, from further study and training to work, gap years and other opportunities. It’s a great starting point for exploring what might suit your interests, goals and strengths.
Whatever path you choose, please remember this is your journey, and there are plenty of resources available to help you make informed and confident decisions.
Please click on the button below to find out more.
Try something new over the holidays
Holidays are almost here! Great for sleeping in, catching up with friends and doing absolutely nothing - but what if you could also do something that actually gets you excited about the future?
This break could be your chance to test out a dream job, meet new people and pick up skills you didn’t even know you had. Here are a few ways to make it happen:
Try an Internship: Get a sneak peek into a real workplace and see what sparks your interest.
Join a Volunteer Crew: Help out at an event or charity - you’ll make friends and a difference.
Tag Along for a Day: Spend some time with a professional or local business to see what their world’s really like.
Level Up Online: Take a short course, build a project, or learn a new skill from home (PJs optional).
Whatever you choose, each experience adds something to your story and helps you discover what excites you most. These summer holidays, why not try something new?
VTAC Quick Reference Guide for Year 12 Students
Please click on the button below for a useful VTAC Guide
Career Spotlight - Dental Technician
You don’t need to be a dentist to become a dental technician, just steady hands, an artistic eye, and love of creating perfect smiles.
What is a Dental Technician?
A dental technician designs and creates the dental devices that help people smile with confidence. Think crowns, dentures, bridges, and orthodontic appliances. Working mostly behind the scenes in a dental laboratory, they use a mix of science, art and technology to craft precise, custom-made pieces that fit each patient perfectly. Dental technicians don’t work directly with patients but play a key role in supporting dentists and dental specialists.
What skills and strengths are needed?
Dental technicians need a sharp eye for detail and excellent hand–eye coordination. Much of their work involves shaping tiny materials and using specialised equipment, so patience and precision are essential. Creativity also comes in handy when designing realistic-looking teeth and choosing shades and shapes that look natural. Other important strengths include problem-solving, teamwork, and an interest in how science and technology combine to improve people’s health.
What are the pathways?
You can start by studying science, design, or health subjects at school, as these build the foundation for further training. After finishing school, most dental technicians complete a Diploma or Degree in Dental Technology through a TAFE, polytechnic, or university, depending on where you live.
Work placements are a big part of this training - you’ll gain hands-on experience in dental labs, learning how to use specialised tools and digital design software. Once qualified, you can specialise in areas like orthodontics, ceramics, or maxillofacial prosthetics, or even move into lab management and dental product design.
Getting your ATAR and Offers
ATAR results and Uni/TAFE offers are just around the corner - here’s how to be ready for the big day!
What’s Coming Up?
If you’re finishing Year 12 this year, the exciting moment is just around the corner: your ATAR results and the first wave of university or TAFE offers. For all of the important dates, please visit the VTAC Website - here.
How to Check Your ATAR
When your ATAR is released:
Make sure your login details are handy e.g student number, date of birth and personal email.
Log in early on release day through your state admissions portal.
Take a deep breath and enjoy the moment! Your ATAR is just one part of your journey, and it opens the door to exciting opportunities ahead.
What Happens With Uni or TAFE Offers
After your ATAR is out, the next step is finding out which courses you’ve been offered. There are usually multiple offer rounds, giving you plenty of chances to get into your preferred course - or another option that could surprise you.
Handy Tips:
Have your course preferences ready ahead of time.
Keep checking your portal and emails, exciting news could arrive at any time!
Celebrate every step. Every offer is a chance to start a new adventure.
What You Can Do Now
While you wait, explore courses, check out uni websites, and chat with our careers staff. Look after yourself too - good sleep, a bit of exercise, and some downtime go a long way.
Remember, there are lots of pathways to your goals, so every step forward is the right one for you!
Scholarships and Traineeships
Here’s how to find scholarships and traineeships that can help to launch your next chapter.
Start With A Scholarship Search
There are a huge amount of scholarships designed to financially support students just like you. Start your search early on our careers portal (link at the bottom of this page), university and TAFE websites, and through national databases like StudyAssist and the Good Universities Guide. Many institutions release new rounds of funding just before or after offers come out, so set reminders to check regularly.
Apply Smart
When it comes to applications, quality matters more than quantity. Read the eligibility criteria carefully and tailor each application to what the organisation values most. Use real examples, such as how you helped organise a school event, volunteered in your community, or showed resilience balancing study and part-time work. Don’t be afraid to ask for help - teachers, careers staff, or even family members can proof read your application and help you polish your responses.
Explore Traineeships
Traineeships let you earn while you learn, combining paid work with study in industries such as business, health, trades, IT, and community services. Programs often start in January or February, so it’s a great time to apply. Search openings on Australian Apprenticeships Pathways . Some employers even offer transition programs for Year 12 graduates, so it’s worth reaching out early.
Keep An Open Mind
Whether you land a scholarship, start a traineeship, or take time to explore different pathway options, every experience helps you grow. Stay organised, meet deadlines, and remember - there’s more than one road success. Be curious, proactive, and ready to grab the opportunities that come your way!
Write For The World
Looking for something creative to do these summer holidays? Join a global writing competition and let your words travel the world.
What Is Write for The World?
If you love writing or just want to try something new - Write the World is a free, monthly online competition for young writers aged 13–19. Each month brings a new theme or genre, from poetry and short stories to journalism and opinion pieces. You can draft your work, get feedback from other writers, and submit it for a chance to be published and win prizes.
Why Give It A Go?
It’s completely free to enter, and you’ll get to connect with a worldwide community of writers who share your passion for creativity and storytelling. Every competition comes with expert feedback and the chance to win up to US $100. It’s also a great way to build your confidence, develop your writing voice, and strengthen your portfolio for future study or work opportunities.
How To Get Started
Head to writetheworld.org to create a free account.
Check out the current monthly prompt, start your draft, and submit it by the deadline.
You can even request expert feedback to help polish your writing before you enter.
December 2025: Theme: People’s Choice - Final entries due 22 December 2025.
January 2026: Theme: Fairytales & Myths / Op-Ed - Dates start 5 January and 12 January for the competition rounds.
Make It A Summer Goal
Whether you’re relaxing by the beach or winding down after exams, this is a perfect time to write just for you. Try one piece over the holidays - you might discover a new talent, meet other writers from around the globe, and see your work shared with an international audience!
The Women of STEM Scholarship
Discover how Australia’s Women of STEM Scholarship is opening doors in science, tech, engineering and maths.
What Is This Scholarship?
The Women of STEM Scholarship is a national program supported by the ACS Foundation. Its focus is to provide young women who are about to start or have just started a STEM‑related degree at university with financial backing and recognition. STEM fields are hugely important for the future e.g (tech, medicine, environment, data, engineering), but they still have a gender gap. Scholarships like this can help level the playing field.
What Do You Get & Who Qualifies?
Here’s what the scholarship offers and who can apply:
- You’ll receive AUD $5,000 per year for up to five years (for as long as you stay in the STEM degree and keep a credit average).
- Age: between 17‑20 years old when you apply, and you should be commencing or recently commenced a STEM degree.
- Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have strong academic results, plus involvement in extra‑curricular or community activities that show your passion or interest in STEM.
How and When to Apply
- The application involves sending documents such as your recent high school transcript / ATAR or equivalent, proof of university acceptance, a resume, and a cover letter explaining why you should get the scholarship.
- After submitting the written application, there is an in‑person interview stage.
- Women of STEM Applications for the 2026 Women of STEM Scholarships will open on Thursday 18 December 2025.
What It Means for You
Receiving this scholarship is more than just financial support, it’s recognition of your potential and a chance to connect with others in the STEM community, including mentors and like-minded students. Even if you're not selected, the application process is valuable experience. It helps you reflect on your goals, articulate your passion for STEM, and build confidence in telling your story.
PSC Careers Website
We have a fantastic resource available for students. The PSC Careers Website provides you with all of the latest information that will help you make decisions about your future career and your life beyond school.
You can visit this site to find out about university or TAFE courses and any other type of course available across Australia. The site also has information about VCE, you can search for job vacancies and much more.
In addition to this, please do feel free to drop into the Careers Office if you have any questions.
Competitions
Francis Forbes Society Essay Competition
- Date: Entries close Friday 19 December 2025
- Eligibility: Open to high school students nationally
- Details: A legal-themed essay competition encouraging students to explore topics in Australian law, history or justice. Essays are judged on clarity, research, and original thinking, with winners recognised by the Forbes Society and legal professionals.
Australian National Olympiad in AI (NOAI)
Registrations: Open November 2025 to January 2026Eligibility: Years 7‑12 nationally.
A national competition inviting secondary‑school students from across Australia to explore artificial intelligence through reasoning, logic and problem‑solving tasks. Offering a pathway into advanced AI study and international competition.
Australian Computational & Linguistics Olympiad (OzCLO) 2026
Registrations: Open from 21 January 2026.Inviting students in Years 7–12 nationwide to participate in team‑based problem‑solving about languages and linguistics, with subsequent national rounds.
International Chemistry Quiz (via Royal Australian Chemical Institute)
Registrations open: 12 January 2026.
A national online quiz for secondary students (Years 7‑12) across Australia and beyond. Challenges young learners with chemistry questions offering a chance to test their skills from 23 March to 10 April 2026.