Careers Corner

Here we are at the end of Week 6 – before we know it, it will be Christmas time!

Last Friday, 11 November saw the 2022 Year 12 Cohort graduate, with a wonderful Award Ceremony at school followed by the graduation dinner at the Wining Post Function Centre in Taree.  The students looked magnificent and enjoyed the evening.

A huge thank you to Callam Howard who worked tirelessly from the early afternoon with photos on the riverbank all the way through to the end of the dinner at the Winning Post Function Centre.  Everyone should have access to the photos by now.  Thank you Cal!

Each of the graduands were recognised and received their portfolio with their report, reference and certificates as appropriate.

Thanks also to Lisa Ruprecht and Kerry for their organisation, and to Johnathon (Head Chef) for the wonderful meal.  The Year 11 Hospitality students also did a great job in the setting up and then serving and clearing the meals.  This was a great experience for them, and they have been offered part-time work if they would like, as a result of their efforts.

There are several Year 12 students who have received early offers for university already with more rounds of offers to come over the next few months.

I would like to remind anyone that is applying for EAS via UAC that the due date for all of this information is:

Midnight Thursday, 22 November 2022 to ensure you receive your eligibility letter in time to change your preferences for Round 2.

I have already worked with quite a few students in regard to this and I am happy to help with anything else that I can.  Students and/or parents can contact me by phone (6552 3300) or by email (karen.mccann@mn.catholic.edu.au) to arrange a suitable time to meet.  This can be via Zoom if necessary.

With regard to SRS offers, I have included information directly from the UAC website as follows:

Offers

Participating institutions can use a range of criteria when making SRS offers, including your:  school’s rating of your aptitudes − Year 11 studies − Educational Access Scheme (EAS) application (if applicable).

Each institution has its own policies on determining SRS eligibility and making offers.  If your application is successful, you will receive your offer by email in November.

There are two types of SRS offers:  unconditional offers (which have no further criteria for you to meet) − conditional offers (which require you to meet additional criteria).

In November, you can receive one unconditional offer and one or more conditional offers.

Unconditional offers:  Accept your unconditional offer, even if it’s for your lowest course preference.  You will automatically be considered for your higher preferences in later rounds.  If you receive an unconditional offer to one of your higher preferences and want to be considered for all your other preferences in later rounds:  accept the offer − log in to your UAC undergraduate application, go to ‘Update course preferences’ and move that course down to the bottom of your course preference list or remove it entirely (as long as you have accepted the offer, you can’t lose it).

Key dates Schools Recommendation Scheme 2022 – 19 September SRS applications close
11 November - First SRS conditional and unconditional offers released
22 December - Conditional SRS offers converted to unconditional offers
12 January 2023 - Conditional SRS offers converted to unconditional offers

Schools Recommendation Scheme 03 If you then receive an offer to a course in your new list, you can decide whether to accept it and withdraw from your original course, or not accept the new offer and keep your place in your original course.

Conditional offers:  To convert your conditional offer to an unconditional offer, you must:  meet the condition/s stipulated in the offer − meet all other institution requirements for that course − include the course in your list of preferences by midnight 16 December 2022 (closing date of change of preference for December Round 2).

Unsuccessful applicants

UAC won’t advise applicants who do not receive an offer through SRS.  An unsuccessful SRS application has no effect on your UAC undergraduate application.

Year 12 results and ATAR dates:

2022 NSW HSC Students
Thursday, 15 December 2022
HSC results released by NESA from 6 am
ATARs released on UAC website from 9 am Thursday, 15 December 2022

Over the past weeks I have received quite a few emails from employers looking for students to fill positions.  Mid Coast Connect and VERTO send me information about apprenticeships and traineeships in our area and Mid Coast Council have advertised several positions for 2023.  I have emailed all the information to the students in Years 10, 11 and 12.  So please CHECK YOUR EMAILS.

I also put the information in the Year Group Careers OneNote which all the students should have access to.

With regard to some of these positions, any interested students need to come and see me for further information.  That information is in the email if relevant.

Below is a wealth of information for parents and students regarding numerous post school pathways, courtesy of the Careers Association of Australia.

Course Changes & New Courses 

ACU Take a small step into university with ACU’s Diploma in Exercise Science The diploma offers a pathway for students who do not meet the direct entry requirements of their preferred bachelor’s degree. After successfully completing a diploma, students gain credit for first-year entry to a range of undergraduate degrees in their chosen discipline, allowing them to transition straight into second year. Learn more:

AGRADE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PTY LTD Find out about the Childcare and Aged Care Diploma and Certificate III courses on offer. Classes are online via zoom and have supportive teachers to assist students. Upon completion students may work in AGrade Education and Training centres, as most of the students find work during studies.  The main campus is at Kent St Sydney. Please call on 0451697742/ 1300 885 508

BEDFORD COLLEGE Bedford College has opened a new campus in Sydney's CBD, offering the Diploma of Business and Diploma of Leadership and Management in the city in 2023. Contact enquire@bedford.edu.au or visit

to learn more about Bedford's City and Norwest campuses. 

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY New Astrophysics and Life Sciences programs available. Astrophysics program will allow students to explore astronomy and astrophysics, through a physics major and additional units in data science, cosmology, mathematics and more. Life Sciences program will teach students about a range of interconnected disciplines including, biology, biochemistry, genetics, and more. Both can be accessed through the B. Science or B. Science/B. Advanced Studies. 

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY New major in High Performance Sport. Students will learn about sports science, how interdisciplinary factors influence high performance, the athletic development process, the application of measurement and testing techniques to evaluate athletic performance, and how to design appropriate training/intervention programs. This major is available across a range of degrees, from the B. Arts to the B. Applied Science (Exercise and Sport).

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY The School of Education has a new Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) degree. It is designed to meet the growing demand for early childhood teachers across Sydney and New South Wales. Find more information and how to apply, visit here:

Courses & Workshops for Students 

ACADEMY OF INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT An AIE Event Officer will bring an industry expert teacher along to run students through a Design, Programming or Art workshop aimed at giving students hands-on experience with software used in the Game and Film Industry. Register Here:

ACTA COLLEGE ACTA College is currently taking enrolments for the following 2 Fee Free* qualifications, the CPC40120 Certificate IV in Building and Construction and the CPC30220 Certificate III in Carpentry. Both courses are funded by Smart and Skilled for the eligible students. Call Mayssa on 0474 500 470 or email: mayssa@actacollege.edu.au for more information. 

AUSTRALIAN NEWSROOM JOURNALISM Australian Newsroom Journalism supports students wishing to follow a career in media. ANJ have produced the first of a planned series of bulletins aimed at providing ongoing up-to-date information on material available on the website. The bulletins, also free of charge, are on the same website as the posts:

CIT JobTrainer at CIT is offering bootcamp style courses in November. Designed for those seeking to first enter the workforce, these courses are FEE-FREE for eligible students. JobTrainer is a jointly funded initiative of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, offering free vocational education and training to eligible young people and job seekers across ACT. Visit

HTN - CUTTING EDGE CAREERS are running a pre-apprenticeship course as a pathway to cookery. Learn basic kitchen skills & gain valuable work experience that will start you on your journey into hospitality. - Course starts: 9 November 2022 - Registrations close: 3 November 2022 - For more information contact - Hope Hoyle - E: Hope.Hoyle@intowork.com.au - M: 0408 798 895  

INSTITUTE OF CREATIVE ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY ICAT Open Day Wed 7 & Sat 10 December 2022. Find out about the courses on offer, view the campus and meet the lecturers. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions regarding fees, enrolments, and career pathways in the creative arts and technology industry. 11.00am & 2.00pm, 55 Regent St, Chippendale, NSW 2008. RSVP hello@icat.edu.au or (02) 9698 9919

JSCHOOL JOURNALISM COLLEGE Three online units from Jschool's Diploma of Journalism are on offer to keen senior secondary students this summer - Introduction to Reporting, Shorthand (speed writing) and History, Literature & Language for Journalists. The units would also help graduating seniors planning tertiary study in journalism or media:

or email jschool@jschool.com.au 

THE FASHION INSTITUTE The Fashion Institute Open Day Wed 7 & Sat 10 December 2022. Find out about the courses on offer, view the campus and meet the lecturers. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions regarding fees, enrolments, and career pathways in the fashion industry. 11.00am & 2.00pm, 55 Regent St, Chippendale, NSW 2008. RSVP hello@thefashioninstitute.com.au or (02) 9698 9919

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY Registrations for Undergraduate Certificate online courses are open to the community. With short courses in Health, Information Technology, and Business, there is potential to receive a Diploma and even an undergraduate degree, the choice is yours. Visit

Information Sessions for Students & Parents 

ACADEMY OF INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE Open Day on Sat 19 November 2022. This event will be held at AIE Campuses in Sydney and Canberra from 10am to 3pm. AIE's Open Day is a great opportunity to meet the teachers, staff and students. Register Here:

ACS FOUNDATION Join ACS at Australian National University on Tuesday 6 June 2023 for BiG Day In Canberra Hear from organisations such as Australian Space Agency, Australian Signals Directorate, IBM, Defence Force Recruiting, Adobe & loads more to come, to learn where a STEM career can take you. FREE TO ATTEND & LUNCH PROVIDED FOR ALL ATTENDEES.

AUSTRALIAN CAREERS BUSINESS COLLEGE Open Day, 23 November. ACBC’s campus open day is an opportunity for students and parents to come and explore ATAR-free VET options for 2023 and beyond. Careers Advisors will be on hand to provide insights into ACBC’s highly regarded programs. Information is available for fulltime, online and Traineeship options. Go to

for more info and to register call 02 9824 0000.  

ICMS Mark your calendars for ICMS' Degree Taster Day on 19 January! Future students have the chance to come in and see what a day in the life of an ICMS student is like. Enjoy a personal development workshop and ‘Taste test’ lecture sessions. The event is free of cost for students in Years 9-12 students and lunch is provided. Email Carmen at cherin@icms.edu.au to let ICMS know you are coming! 

SAE CREATIVE MEDIA INSTITUTE SAE Sydney and Byron Bay’s Open House event: 15th December 6pm-8pm. SAE Sydney and Byron Bay are excited to host their final events for 2022. Open House is your student’s one-stop event to experience what it is like to be an SAE student. Chat to SAE’s faculty and course advisors, explore the campus and enjoy student work on display. To register, head to their website:

Job & Work Experience for Students 

ICMS Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel, one of ICMS' Work Integrated Learning Partners, are hiring! Roles available are in the Events and Food & Beverage Departments. Pay starts at $22.85 per hour, no experience is needed, and training is provided. Email Fiona.Pereira@marriott.com for more information.  

Resources for Students 

Year13 virtual Tech Expo promoting careers in the tech sector will continue  
indefinitely.  The Expo aims to inform youth, parents & careers advisors on the great job opportunities in tech industries. There are links to employers, educators & industry experts & Women in Technology. Women are especially encouraged to follow this link to the Year 13 Tech Expo:

ACU Pathways Finder Tool There are alternative pathways into a course if a student doesn’t receive the ATAR they were hoping for, including the Foundation Studies program, certificates and diplomas. Use the pathways finder tool to narrow down admission pathways for a study area or course of interest and explore your options.

CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY Living on campus options. Make connections and get immersed in campus life – these are a couple of the perks of living on campus. CSU also offer all first-year students applying for accommodation a guaranteed place on most campuses. To be eligible, students must complete their application by 31 December 2022. For more information:

Scholarships, Early Entry, Alternative Pathways 

CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY New scholarship for future civil engineers. We’re excited to let you know about the new engineering scholarship in partnership with Transgrid. The scholarships will be delivered to students in four annual instalments of $5,000 to help cover the ongoing costs associated with their studies. For more information:

CQ UNIVERSITY Scholarships Open. Applications for 2023 scholarships are open now! The financial boost can ease the pressure of paying for study materials like textbooks, uniforms, laptops, as well as relocation and living expenses, allowing students to put more energy into their studies. CQU offer scholarships for every study area, study level and citizenship. Check out what scholarships are available at

ICMS Applications for the ICMS Professional Scholarship will close on 16 November 2022. All scholarships cover partial tuition fees for study and/or accommodation at the discretion of the Scholarship Board’s selection. Tuition fees can be up to $29,000 and is awarded to successful applicants each February. Visit

TORRENS UNIVERSITY Early Entry Program, closing soon. Apply now to secure your place at Torrens University through the Early Entry Program. A conditional offer is open to all Year 12 students in NSW, QLD and SA* and applying is easy. Give yourself peace of mind as you go into your exam period. No cost to apply, no obligations, can be deferred. Closes soon. Find out more:

*Exceptions apply 

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY The CAE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engineering Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year for up to four years, established to support an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student to study engineering or a related discipline and closes on Monday 28/11/22. See the following link for more information and to apply:

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY Scholarships are available to provide financial support to current school leaver undergraduate students who can demonstrate financial hardship, a medical condition, or are from a rural or remote area studying at the Faculty of Engineering. It is valued at $12,000 per year for the duration of the degree. Applications close on Friday 18/11/22. For more information, see:

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY The CAE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engineering Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship, valued at $10,000 per year for up to four years, has been established to encourage and support an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student to study engineering or a related discipline at the Faculty of Engineering. Applications close on Monday 28/11/22. For more information on this and other scholarships, please see:

WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY Current school leavers are eligible for bonus points or adjustment factors when applying through UAC. Up to 10 bonus points in total may be available to you. Visit the Bonus Points page to see if you meet one or more criteria:

UOW COLLEGE After surviving an aggressive form of cancer in her first years of high school, Sofia Tsalidis was forced to leave school before completing Year 12. Now she is just months away from finishing her Bachelor of Medical and Health Science at the University of Wollongong. Read more about Sofia's story here >

UOW COLLEGE As an international student from India, Keval had to navigate a lot of paperwork to begin his tertiary education in a foreign country. “I decided to go to UOW College as I knew that if I did my Diploma of Engineering there I could start my second year in the Bachelor of Engineering” Read more about Keval's story here >

Traineeships, Cadetships, Apprenticeships - Information & Opportunities 

1300APPRENTICE 2023 Apprentice & Trainee intake, secure your career early with 1300apprentice. Learn about the choice of careers on offer & secure your place now, apprenticeships & traineeships start in 2023. Apply today in 3 steps. 1. Have your resume ready 2. Choose a vocation and say why in a cover letter 3. Submit online. Go to

and search INTAKE. Explore the website for more info.  

HTN & MRAEL (part of IntoWork Australia) Did you know that some occupations allow you to claim up to $5,000 in funding to help with the cost of living expenses while completing certain apprenticeships and traineeships? Did you know that there are other benefits to support trainees or apprentices? Find out more by contacting Hope Hoyle - E: hope.hoyle@gmail.com - M: 0408 798 895 

HTN & MRAEL (part of IntoWork Australia) Joining HTN as an Apprentice or Trainee comes with heaps of benefits! Earn a wage while completing your qualification, receive training from skilled tradespeople, access specialist coaching, mentoring & wellbeing support with regular visits & build your experience with more than one host employer. Find out more contact Hope Hoyle - E: hope@intowork.com.au – M: 0408 798 895 

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NSW are taking applications now for apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities in the Northern Beaches and Northern Sydney area. MBA NSW have opportunities within multiple trades for all ages and entry levels. Suitable for those who have the commitment and drive to commence and complete an apprenticeship in the building and construction industry. For more information, please email careers@mbansw.asn.au 

MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF NSW The all-female Pre-Apprenticeship program is a 3-week entry-level training program that provides an introduction to both the industry and carpentry prior to commencing an apprenticeship. MBA NSW aim to provide a safe and encouraging environment for women to learn about career opportunities in the industry. For further information visit

TRANSPORT FOR NSW The information for RDIT Parkes is now live. Please see the main external links below:

 Work Experience

There are many students doing Work Experience at the moment and this is a great way to “get a foot in the door” and impress prospective employers.  Please come and see me to get the paperwork if you are interested.

Year 10 Transition Program

Year 10 are about to begin their transition program with some great activities and presentations to help get them ready for Senior School and beyond.

One of the activities on offer is the “My Future Finder” program which is being run by UNE and is a great way to begin thinking about the various post school pathways available. 

We also have Codi-Lee Murray from Mission Australia who will be delivering the Workforce Australia - employment services program.  This is aimed at young people from 15-24 years old and provides help and support in transitioning to work.

Codie-Lee also spoke to Year 11 last Friday about the services and help they offer.

Today, Year 11 will be hearing from Anne Keen (a published author) and her pathway into her career.  This is another of the presentations organised by Erin Lute from RIEP – thanks again, Erin.

If anyone would like any assistance with anything to do with Careers or Vocation Education, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (6552 3300) or by email karen.mccann@mn.catholic.edu.au

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser