Leaving School before End of Year 12

Research shows that there are good reasons to stay at school. If you are planning to leave school, help is available to get you into further study or work.

If you are unhappy - who to talk to

Some students are unhappy with school by the time they reach the final few years. They may have problems learning, low self-esteem, or issues at home that make it hard for them to feel connected to school. If they choose to leave before finishing Year 12, some make successful transitions to work or vocational training, but many find the going tough.

If you are thinking of leaving school, speak with your parents and school staff first. Staff who can help you include:

• career teacher
• student wellbeing coordinator
• Year level coordinator
• Managed Individual Pathways (MIPs) coordinator
• Assistant Principal

Why stay in school?

Education and training increases your chance of getting better jobs in the future. Research shows that many students who leave school without completing Year 12 earn less and are more likely to experience unemployment. They are also less likely to return to study.

The Victorian Government has set a target of 90 per cent of young people successfully completing Year 12 or its equivalent, by 2010. The report, How Young People are Faring 2005 by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum, showed that in 2004, 80 per cent of teenagers had completed secondary school or a Certificate II or higher, compared with 75 per cent in 2002.

The report by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum also showed that:

• 29 per cent of teenagers who left school in 2003 were not in study and were either working part-time, unemployed, or not in the labour force in May 2004
• female school leavers were more likely to experience a troubled transition from school than males, despite a higher rate of completing Year 12 and higher participation rates in post-school education
• the proportion of teenagers taking up apprenticeships increased markedly from 2003 to 2004
• leaving school at Year 10 was a considerable risk. About 45 per cent of Year 10 leavers were not studying and either unemployed, in part time work or not in the labour force six months after leaving school.

Research indicates that if young people have trouble making the transition from education and training towards secure employment by their mid-twenties, they continue to be disadvantaged in many ways, both financial and social.

At what age can a student leave school?

The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 has been proclaimed and as such the school leaving age has increased from 15 years of age to 16 years of age.

It is a legal requirement that students are enrolled at a registered school (government or non-government) or registered for home schooling until 16 years of age. Alternatively, students can undertake an educational program provided by a TAFE institute or other registered training organisation.

What other education options are available to young people?

School is the best place for most students to complete their education through the completion of a senior secondary certificate, usually VCE or VCAL. However, for some young people options other than school may be more suitable.

The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 provides a guaranteed place (the Youth Guarantee) in TAFE institutions, the Centre for Adult Education (CAE), Adult Multicultural Education Services (AMES) and participating adult community education (ACE) providers to young people who have not completed Year 12 or its equivalent.

Whilst students can start attending a TAFE or ACE provider at 15 years of age, young people must be aged 16 or over to access a guaranteed place in a TAFE institute, the CAE, AMES or participating ACE providers. TAFE and ACE providers have discretion as to whether they wish to enrol 15-year-olds. For a full list of participating ACE providers, see: Approved ACE providers (Word - 40Kb)

Youth Guarantee providers are required to offer a place to eligible young people as a matter of priority. Providers will work to place young people in courses that will meet their needs and are consistent with government training priorities.

For more information about education options for young people, see: Youth Guarantee.

Managed Individual Pathways

The Managed Individual Pathways (MIPs) program was introduced to help all students 15 years and over through the final years of school and into further education, training or secure employment. Each student has individual pathway plans and support to help them achieve their goals, and each school has a MIPs coordinator.

MIPs aims to help young people to:

• make a smooth transition from compulsory schooling to further education, training and employment
• develop skills to manage their pathways throughout their working lives
• develop their knowledge, understanding and experience of opportunities in education, training and employment

The program also includes follow-up of early school leavers (those who don’t complete Year 12) at the time of leaving and six months later.

At TAFE institutes and Adult Community Education organisations, young people 15 to 19 years old who have not yet completed Year 12 and who are not in full time employment can participate in a Youth Pathways Program, which incorporates MIPs support within a training or education program.

For more information, see: Managed Individual Pathways

Work and study options

There are a number of websites that can help you choose what to do if you leave school before completing Year 12.

Website resources include:

• Apprenticeships and Traineeships allow you to learn skills in a particular industry by working and training on the job. Find out more about these options in Beyond School - Apprenticeships & Traineeships
• TAFE Course Directory (http://www.tafe.vic.gov.au) lists a wide range of TAFE courses that can be the first step on the pathway to further study or getting into the workforce.
• Youth Central (http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au) tells you everything about life beyond school, from how to find jobs and careers to studying and training, government assistance, managing money, and travel and transport.
• myfuture (http://www.myfuture.edu.au) lists a range of education and training options for just about every occupation or career path you could think of. Search the myfuture occupations (http://www.myfuture.edu.au/services/default.asp?FunctionID=5002&Action=Advanced) to find out more about a job.
• Job Guide (http://jobguide.dest.gov.au/) describes about 600 jobs and the education and training you need to do them. You can also work out which jobs suit you best, based on your interests and abilities.

More information

For more information, you can contact the school, see: Schools Online (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline) or Region

Call the Youth Central career information line on 1800 152 025 or visit the website at Youth Central (http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au)

Visit the Year 12 What Next website (http://www.year12whatnext.gov.au/) to see what options are open to you if you complete year 12.