Careers
Athena Aligiza
How did it get to Term 4 already?
Year 12 VCE and VM students, it’s been a pleasure meeting you all, to listen to you and help you with your career aspirations, VTAC and VET applications and job applications recently. I wish you all well for exams (for those completing them) and hope that you get the post-secondary offer you want. For those taking a gap year or making time to find work, we look forward to seeing you make a wonderful contribution to the world, whatever that looks like for you. If you don’t get the offer you want after you receive your ATAR or are still unsure of what you’d like to do post Year 12, whether you’re a VCE or VCE VM student, please do not hesitate to contact me to make an appointment.
Note that I’m in the Careers Office on the following days/times until the end of term:
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8.30am to 3.00pm
Thursday from 9.00am to 3.00pm
You can email me at athena.aligizakis@education.vic.gov.au to make an appointment.
YEAR 12
UPCOMING VTAC DATES
VCE and ATAR Release date is Thursday 11 December 2025
VTAC Change of Preference closes for December Offers on Saturday 13 December 2025 at 12.00pm
December Offer Release Tuesday 23 December 2025
VTAC Course Search and Prerequisite search here:
VTAC's CourseSearch and VCE Prerequisite Explorer
Students graduating without an ATAR – how to find courses on VTAC
We wanted to remind you that students without an ATAR and those looking to take a gap year can still apply through VTAC.
Students studying VCE but not graduating with an ATAR: Did you know VTAC lists over 500 courses with no prerequisites? The majority of these courses also do not require an ATAR. Students can find these courses on CourseSearch under the VCE prerequisite explorer. Simply tick courses 'With no prerequisites' and this will display the list. Students can then filter further by study area, institution or qualification level for example.
VCE VM Students: VTAC lists many certificates, diplomas and some degrees that VM students can apply for. Using the above advice for the VCE prerequisite explorer, VM students can also filter to find courses with no prerequisites that they can preference.
Students looking to have a gap year: You can still apply through VTAC this year for courses that allow for deferral. Students should check with their chosen institution that they allow for deferral of offers. If students secure their offer this year, they take advantage of the lower application fee for Year 12 students and also lock in an offer to study in 2026.
VTAC has also recently updated their Year 12 guide to cover more information and advice for all student groups, including those graduating with and without an ATAR.
You can read our Year 12 Guide here.
VTAC - Change of preference information
https://vtac.edu.au/applying/courses/cop
ACU Change of Preference Days
To support Year 12 students during the Change of Preference period, the Future Students Victoria team will be holding additional campus visits.
Melbourne Campus: Thursday 11 December – Friday 12 December: 10am – 2pm
Ballarat Campus: Friday 12 December: 10 – 11am and 1pm – 2pm
Monash University Change Day
Save the date for Change Day on 12 December. Year 12’s can receive course application advice and make decisions before the close of preferences.
Swinburne Change of Preference Expo
When: 10am–12pm Friday 12 December 2025
Where: ATC, Swinburne Hawthorn Campus
With Year 12 results and the Change of Preference period fast approaching, Swinburne is here to offer expert support and help students feel confident with their preferences.
There will also be extended hotline hours for Year 12 students to get advice from our course and pathway experts:
- 9am – 6pm Thursday 11 December
- 9am – 6pm Friday 12 December
- 9am – 12pm Saturday 13 December
University of Melbourne Change of Preference Expo
Our Change of Preference Expo will be held at our Parkville Campus on Friday 12December 2025, 10am-2pm. Year 12 students will be able to chat with our Future Student teams about their results, course selection, scholarships and next steps to becoming part of the UniMelb community.
YEAR 9 - 12
ATTN: Year 9-12 students & parents whose children are considering a career in medicine.
The Future Doctors Australia program provides a unique, hands-on opportunity for students aged 14-18 who are passionate about a future in medicine. On 15-18 January 2026 in Melbourne (Docklands) over the course of four days, participants will engage in dynamic sessions led by experienced medical specialists, take part in practical learning activities and gain valuable insights into the medical admissions process. This program is designed to inspire and equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed on their path to a medical career.
Don’t miss this chance to gain firsthand knowledge and mentorship from medical professionals
Program Details | Fees | Enrolment Form
Photo gallery of previous programs
List of Medical Specialists & Clinical Staff Guest Speakers and Presenters
YEAR 9
Work Experience at Parliament Victoria for 2026
Year 9 students going into Year 10 note that Parliament Victoria is currently taking expressions of interest to complete a work experience placement at the Parliament of Victoria in Terms 1 and 2 2026. Please visit their website and lodge your expression of interest via the online link: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/teach-and-learn/work-experience/
Applications close 30 January 2026. As this is a popular program, it is advised that if you are interested, to put in your application now.