Current Edition | Term 2, Week 3

ADF Pilot Up Your Alley?

Some Army and Air Force jobs are grouped into pathways. You’ll start as an officer, building top-level leadership and management skills. As you go through training, your pathway is decided based on your preferences, performance and what roles are available. In Aviation, there are two main pathways:

• Mission
• Pilot

You apply for one of these and your exact role is confirmed as you progress through the process. Click here to find out more.

Want To Be a Submariner?

Ever wondered what jobs are out there in the submarine industry? There’s more than you might think — both at sea and on land. Here are a few places to start:

• Royal Australian Navy submariner roles – training in leadership, engineering, communications, logistics and more (check out the 11 roles available)
• ASC Pty Ltd careers – apprenticeships, uni programs and graduate jobs working on Australia’s submarine program
• Seek / LinkedIn – see real jobs being advertised right now

Even if working on a submarine isn’t your thing, there are heaps of land-based roles in the industry too. Have a look and make an informed choice.

Work Experience Program - Find Out What the ADF Offers In Person

The Defence Work Experience Program lets you explore what it’s really like to work in Defence. It’s a great way to check out careers in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Public Service (APS) before committing. You can learn about:

• what you’ll do on placement
• who can apply
• how to apply 
• different career areas

Got questions? Email Defence.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au. 

Click here for more info

Apprenticeship Support Australia

Apprenticeships and traineeships are a great way to kick-start your career. You’ll work, study, get paid and earn a nationally recognised qualification at the same time. Apprenticeship Support Australia can help with info, opportunities and support to get you started. Click the links below to find out more.

• Mentoring and Support
• Starting an apprenticeship
• How Much Will You Get Paid?
• Share your feedback
• Code of Conduct
• How to access ADMS (Apprenticeship Data Management System)
• Key Apprenticeship Program
• Women In Trades Apprenticeships

Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans (AASL)

The Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan (AASL) can help you cover everyday costs while you train. If you’re in a priority trade, you can borrow up to $25,983 (2025–26). You only start paying it back once you earn over $67,000. Here’s the good stuff:

• payments can be backdated for extra support
• get 20% off your loan if you finish your apprenticeship
• your loan is adjusted each year with inflation
• there’s also an extra 20% debt reduction (applied before June 2025)

More info here once you click on either the Download DOCX or Download PDF tab.

Elite Athlete University Scholarships 

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has created a list of scholarships across the Australian Elite Athlete Education Network to support elite athletes. It’s a great starting point, but not a complete list—so make sure you also explore other options that suit your situation. Click here and scroll down to find a list of available scholarships.

Scholarship Options in Australia

Scholarships can help cover things like fees, living costs or both. Some last for your whole course, while others are short-term or require you to re-apply. Competition can be strong, so it’s important to have a back-up plan. Look into government support and keep an eye out for scholarships you can apply for later in your course. Find out more about the different types of scholarships available including:

• Federal government scholarships
• Student Start-up Loans
• Relocation Scholarships
• Education provider scholarships
• Academic scholarships
• Equity scholarships
• Other education provider scholarships
• Private organisation scholarships
• Remember, if you don't apply, you'll never get one … oh, and you can apply for as many as you like!

UQ Bursaries Available for Online Bridging Courses

UQ College offers self-paced online bridging courses to help you meet Maths Methods or General Maths requirements for uni. There’s a 50% fee reduction available for domestic students who:

• are experiencing financial difficulties, or
• are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Places are limited and offered first come, first served — so it’s worth applying early if you’re interested. Find out more.

Talk With Industry Series

Australian Catholic University is hosting webinars where you can hear from alumni (graduated students) about their professional experiences after completing their studies at ACU. You will be able to take part in a Q&A session with ACU graduates to find out what your future could hold with one of our degrees. 

Upcoming events are:

• Hear from graduates about their careers
• Learn how their degree helped them get there
• Ask questions in a live Q&A
• Get a better idea of your own future options

Upcoming webinars in early May are:

• Wednesday 13 May - Talk with Nurses, Midwives and Paramedics: Explore Careers that Make a Difference
• Thursday 14 May - Talk with Law, Criminology and Business Professionals: Discover Your Future Career
• Wednesday 20 May - Talk with Arts Students and Graduates: Turning Passion into Purpose 
• Thursday 21 May - Talk with Biomedicine and Nutrition Experts: From Science to Real-World Impact 

Each starts at 6pm.

More info and registration here.

Experience Days in May

Step into the life of a Bondy for a day and see what uni is really like. You might take part in a workshop, try a mock class or get hands-on with a guided activity. You’ll also chat with current students and learn from expert academics. Food and drinks are included. Below are the Experience days in May including rego details. If you are interested, go talk to your teacher or Guidance Officer/Counsellor.

• 28/05/2026     Communication Experience Day

Medicine at Bond

Bond University is one of the few unis in Australia offering medicine straight from undergraduate level. The program includes two degrees—the Bachelor of Medical Studies and the Doctor of Medicine—which you complete over five years to become a registered doctor. Both are awarded at the end of the course. Applications for the Bachelor of Medical Studies go through QTAC. They usually open mid-January and close early February for a May start. Check the QTAC website for 2027 dates and updates.

Griffith University's Creative Arts Open Day

Explore your creative side at Griffith University’s Creative Arts Open Day. Try hands-on workshops, check out exhibitions and performances and see behind the scenes of music, film, design and more. You’ll meet students and teachers, explore the facilities and get a feel for creative careers. 

It's at South Bank campus on Sunday 17 May from 9am to 2pm. You can also check out a pop-up preview of future business, IT and law programs in the CBD. 

More here including rego info.

Undergraduate Diplomas

Griffith University Undergraduate Diplomas are a great backup (or stepping stone) into Uni.

• Can lead straight into a related Bachelor degree (often into 2nd year)
• Or finish the Diploma and head straight into work

How to apply (through QTAC):

• Put your chosen Bachelor as your 1st preference
• Put the matching Diploma as your 2nd preference

Near the end of your Diploma, Griffith will help you move into the Bachelor degree through their direct entry process

• 25 Diploma options across different study areas
• Flexible pathway if you don’t get into your first choice straight away

Find out more here.

Find a Career Caring for Patients at QUT

If you’re passionate about helping people you might have already decided that a career looking after patients is for you. Most people think of doctors and nurses but there are lots of different roles available in healthcare. With high ATAR thresholds some patient care courses are a little tricky to get into. Explore your options and find out more about upgrading pathways in patient-care courses.

National Virtual Expo

QUT will be part of the National Virtual Expo, a free, week-long online event running 10-17 May during National Careers Week, with a QUT Deep Dive session on Wednesday 13 May at 6.30pm AEST. It will also be available on demand after the event. The Expo features more than 80 sessions on university options, plus practical topics like career direction, funding opportunities, managing money as a student, building confidence for post-school decisions, apprenticeships, alternative pathways and more. 

QUT Year 9-10 Advice Night

Students in Year 9 or 10 who are curious about uni life are invited to join QUT online on Tuesday 2 June to discover QUT courses, explore how to get in and find out what makes Uni different from school. Plus, hear real stories from current QUT students about their Uni experience. Find out more.

STEM + X: Data Science Careers Webinar

On Wednesday 20 May, QUT are hosting a future-focused webinar where QUT data science students and industry professionals lift the lid on what it’s like to work in this rapidly growing field. You’ll hear how data scientists tackle huge, messy, fast-moving datasets to solve problems that matter; from mapping galaxies and modelling climate futures to decoding genomes and powering next-gen simulations. If you’ve ever wondered what data driven science looks like in action, this is your chance to see it up close. Register now.

Science events for high school students in Term 2

UQ are hosting several events and competitions during Term 2 to encourage a fascination with Science and a love of Scientific discovery including:

• Experience Genetics - Experience Genetics - 22 June to 24 July - Year 12 biology school groups, to improve understanding of Unit 4 subject matter and practice laboratory skills relevant to genetics.
• Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology (FEAST) - 1 June to 1 July - Gatton: a 4-day residential program for high school students looking at careers in the agriculture, animal, plant and food industries.
• Queensland Biology Winter School - 29 June to 30 June - Comprises separate 2-day non-residential programs for Year 11 and Year 12 students to explore contemporary topics in line with the QCE and IB Biology syllabuses through interactive lectures, practicals and tutorials.
• Experience Geographical Science - 17 July - For school groups across Years 10 to 12. It is a curriculum aligned day of lectures and practicals that extend core learning from the Geog syllabus.
• The Queensland Chemistry Winter School - 6 - 7 July - Provides a deep dive into contemporary topics aligned with subject matter in the QCE Chemistry syllabus.
• The Junior Physics Odyssey - 6 - 9 July - A 4-day non-residential program for Year 10 students with an interest in physics, science and mathematics to develop problem-solving skills and an understanding of physics.

Applications close on 1 May 2026.

Time’s moving fast — start researching your course options for your QTAC application now. Not sure where to begin? Get in touch with the team at the Careers office. Helpful ways to get started:

• Open Days (May–Sept): Explore courses and campuses
• Online QTAC Guide (June/July): Course info and how to apply
• Tertiary Studies Expo: Meet unis, including interstate options
• QTAC website (from August): Latest course and application info
• Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo: Careers advice and study pathways

Key date: 30 September 2026 (Early Bird QTAC deadline for most courses). Make the most of these opportunities to plan your next step after school.

How are Assistance schemes and Adjustment Factors Linked?

Adjustment Factors can boost your chances of getting into Uni by increasing your selection rank. They’re offered for different reasons, so it’s important to check the details for each uni you’re interested in. Assistance schemes offer Adjustment Factors and vary from Uni to Uni. Visit QTAC to learn about schemes like:

• Elite Athlete
• Financial assistance
• Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
• Rural Access

Unis may also offer other options like subject bonuses, equity schemes, regional preference and First Nations pathways. Start researching early so you know what you’re eligible for.

QTAC Year 10 Guide

The Year 10 Guide includes the prerequisites and assumed knowledge needed to meet entry requirements for courses in 2029. Check it out online before you choose your Senior subjects to make sure you meet any course prerequisites.

Queensland ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank)

Not sure what ATAR is all about? QTAC have an ATAR section where you can find answers to the most common questions that students and parents have. Click here to check out the information including:

• ATAR and Year 12
• What is the ATAR
• Breaking down the ATAR
• Adjustments and selection rank
• ATAR appeals
• ATAR verification
• Ready to receive your ATAR? - How to register to have your ATAR calculated

Brisbane Careers & Employment Expo

The Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo is on during 28, 29 and 30 May at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. It is for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new training options. There will be over 160 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages and entry is free. You will be able to:

• Talk with over 160 Training Organisations & Employers
• Gain Free Career Advice
• Discover Jobs of the Future
• Experience the Free Career Seminars
• Enjoy the Come & Try’a Skill Zone
• Find your Ideal with ADF Careers

Expo opening hours are 9am - 3pm 28 and 29 May and 9am - 4pm on 30 May. Click here for more information.

Year 12 Parents and Guardian Resources

Moving from high school to uni can feel like a big step — for both students and parents. Many universities offer helpful resources so parents can better support their child through the transition. These resources help parents understand things like uni expectations, support services and how to encourage independence while still being supportive.

• Australian Catholic University – How parents can help
• James Cook University - Parents and partners
• Griffith University – Parents and Guardians
• Queensland University of Technology - Parents and Carer Engagement
• The University of Queensland – Parents and guardians guide to university
• University of the Sunshine Coast - Parent Lounge.
• TAFE Queensland – Parents and Advisors
• University of Southern Queensland - Parents and Guardians
• University of New England -  Parent, Partner and Friends Information Guide
• Southern Cross University - Guide for Parents and Caregivers