2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from

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2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
2021
SCHOOL LEAVERS’
GUIDE

             With compliments from
             Darren      CHESTER           MP
             THE NATIONALS FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND
                                                      /1
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
04 /         Education and Training Options
                                             Vocational Education and Training (VET)
                                             Universities
                                             Applying for University
                                             Private Higher Education Providers
                                             Distance and Online Study
                                             Apprenticeships and Traineeships
                                             Australian Defence Force (ADF) Gap Year Program
                                             Cyber Gap Program
                                           	Foundation Language, Literacy, Numeracy and
                                             Digital Skills Support
                                           	Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young
                                             Australians

                                           06 /         Financial and Other Support
                                                        Commonwealth Supported Places

CONTENTS
                                                        Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
                                                        VET Student Loans
                                                        Repaying your HELP Debt
                                                        myGov
                                                        Financial hardship
                                                        Scholarships
                                                        Trade Support Loans
                                                        General Benefits

                                           08 /         Finding Employment
                                                        Employment
                                                        Youth Jobs PaTH
                                                        Transition to Work
                                                        jobactive
                                                        The National Work Experience Programme
                                                        JobTrainer
                                                        Enhanced Support for School Leavers
                                                        Launch into Work
                                                        Job Jumpstart
                                                        National Careers Institute
                                                        Community and Volunteer Work
                                                        Starting a Business
                                                        New Business Assistance with NEIS
                                                        Exploring Being My Own Boss Workshops
                                                        Entrepreneurship Facilitators
The material in this resource guide
is made available for the purpose                       Tax File Number
of providing access to government

                                           12 /         Additional Information
information and not as professional
advice. Before relying on the material,
users should obtain appropriate                         Medicare
professional advice relevant to their                   Unique Student Identifier
particular circumstances to evaluate
its accuracy, currency, completeness                    Enrolling to Vote
and relevance for their purposes. Some                  Useful Websites
material in this resource guide may
include or summarise views, standards
or recommendations of third parties.
The inclusion of such material is not an
endorsement by the Commonwealth of
that material and not an indication of
                                           14 /         Keeping Good Mental Health

                                           15 /
the Commonwealth’s commitment to
any particular course of action. Links                  Have Your Say
provided to internet sites are provided
for the user’s convenience and do
not constitute endorsement of the
information at those sites.

The information contained in this
booklet is current as at 3 August 2021.
2/                                                                                  School Leavers’ Guide 2021
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
Darren
                                       CHESTER MP
                                       THE NATIONALS FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND

                        Dear school leaver,
                        Congratulations on your impending graduation!

                        This is a challenging, but nonetheless exciting time to be completing school. The
                        future requires all of us to be adaptable and prepared. Exploring your options means
                        accessing current information on a range of pathways, talking to your parents, friends,
                        teachers and career advisers. The School Leavers’ Guide is a great starting point.

                        When deciding what you might do after school, consider your interests, your likes and
                        dislikes, your experiences at school, at home and within your community. Think about
                        hopes and visions for your future and where you want to study, train or work.

                        In this guide there are sections about career development, further education and
                        training options, financial assistance available to young people as well as useful contact
                        details for more detailed information.

                        I trust you will find this information helpful. Please contact my office on 1300 131 785 if
                        I can be of any further assistance. I also encourage you to enrol to vote if you have not
                        yet done so – simply call my office and I will send you an enrolment form.

                        Good luck as you make the transition from school and I wish you every success in your
                        future endeavours.

                        Yours sincerely,

                        Darren Chester MP
                        Federal Member for Gippsland

MPs for them to share

                                                   Level 1, 89 Raymond Street, Sale VIC 3850   1300 131 785
                                           darren.chester.mp@aph.gov.au     darrenchester.com.au   DarrenChesterMP
                                                                                                                      /3
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
Vocational Education and                       Applying for University
               Training (VET)                                 You can apply to your chosen university
               Vocational education and training is           through standard entry (on the basis of your
               competency-based and directly job-             senior secondary school qualifications),
               related. The VET system provides               special or alternative entry, or advanced
               training for around 4 million students         standing entry (credit transfer or credit for
               annually for a wide range of occupations.      prior learning).
               VET provides industry relevant skills          In most states and territories, and in some
               for a broad range of employment                courses, applications are processed
               opportunities to support a skilled             through a Tertiary Admissions (Service)
               workforce for employers.                       Centre. Contact individual universities and
               Courses are offered through a variety of       Tertiary Admissions Centres for further
               registered training organisations (RTOs)       advice. See page 15 for more information.
               including:
               • TAFE institutes;                             Private Higher Education
EDUCATION      • Private and enterprise training              Providers
AND TRAINING     providers;
               • Secondary schools;
                                                              Approved private higher education
                                                              providers are generally non-university
OPTIONS        • Industry organisations;
                                                              higher education providers which offer
                                                              a range of fee-paying courses leading
               • Professional associations;                   to a higher education award course.
               • Community organisations;                     Visit www.compared.edu.au and
               • Adult and community training                 www.courseseeker.edu.au to
                 providers; and                               view and compare higher education
                                                              institutes and courses.
               • Universities.
                                                              Currently, only a few of these
               For more information on VET                    providers have been approved by the
               opportunities, including courses and           Government to offer Commonwealth
               training providers, visit                      supported places. However, many of
               www.myskills.gov.au                            them can offer a HELP loan.
                                                              Further information on higher education
               Universities
                                                              can be found at
               Universities offer a wide range of general     www.studyassist.gov.au
               and specific courses at undergraduate
               and postgraduate levels, with subsidised       Distance and Online Study
               places and loans for study available to
               some domestic students through the             Many providers offer alternative modes of
               Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).          study to tertiary students, such as online
                                                              or distance education. You should check
               If you are considering going directly          with providers directly.
               from school to university, it is important
               to fully explore university and course         One example is Open Universities
               requirements. Look at prerequisite Year        Australia (OUA). OUA are owned and
               11 and 12 subjects for courses, and the        operated by a consortium of Australian
               campuses at which they are offered.            universities and offers students access
                                                              to higher education study regardless
               You can visit www.compared.edu.au              of their Australian Tertiary Admission
               and www.courseseeker.edu.au to help            Rank (ATAR), previous education, age or
               you decide which university and which          location.
               course is right for you.
                                                              For more information visit
               Some universities also run enabling            www.open.edu.au
               courses that can help you build your
               skills in preparation for study or help you
               if you are unsure about what you might
               like to study.
               It is possible to pursue university study by
               transferring from recognised VET studies
               or undertaking pathway courses.

4/                                                                        School Leavers’ Guide 2021
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
Apprenticeships and                                                                   participate more effectively in training
                                                                                      or in the workforce
Traineeships
                                                                                      You can get up to 650 hours of free
An apprenticeship or traineeship is
                                                                                      accredited training, starting at your
a great career path that kick starts
                                                                                      own level and working at your own
your future with a job and structured
                                                                                      pace. Training is delivered flexibly
education and training. It provides you
                                                                                      through full-time or part-time hours, via
with the opportunity to gain real world,
                                                                                      face-to-face or distance training.
hands-on experience while building
important technical, business and                                                     A work experience component can
service skills.                                                                       also be included in some cases.
Anyone of working age can become                                                      To find out if you are eligible for this
an apprentice or trainee. You don’t                                                   program and be referred to a SEE
need to have any entry qualifications                                                 provider, talk to Services Australia or
and there are a variety of study options                                              your local employment service provider
at different certificate levels.                                                      including:
                                           Cyber Gap Program
An apprenticeship or traineeship is                                                   • jobactive;
offered in more than 500 occupations       The ADF Cyber Gap Program is
                                                                                      • Disability Employment Services;
across the workforce including             open to Australian citizens studying
                                           an eligible cyber-related qualification    • Community Development Program;
building and construction, health care,
agriculture, manufacturing, automotive,    ranging from Certificate III to Masters    • Transition to Work; and
tourism, beauty, hospitality, mining and   level.
                                                                                      • ParentsNext.
digital technologies.                      The ADF Cyber Gap Program is
                                           designed to raise awareness of             For further information about SEE visit:
Employment prospects for                                                              www.dese.gov.au/skills-education-
apprenticeships and traineeships are       Defence’s cyber-related career
                                           pathways whilst encouraging                and-employment
high.
                                           participants to pursue a cyber-
Whether you’re looking to become a         career in the ADF, Defence APS             Commonwealth
fully qualified tradesperson, a business   (Australian Public Service) and broader    Scholarships Program for
manager, a healthcare expert or a          Government.
financial planner, an apprenticeship or                                               Young Australians
traineeship can help get you there.        Throughout the program, participants
                                                                                      The Commonwealth Scholarships
                                           will be provided with study-related
For more information contact your local                                               Program for Young Australians offers
                                           financial support, cyber-related
Australian Apprenticeship Support                                                     scholarships for young people to
                                           activities, and career mentoring
Network Provider on 13 38 73 or visit                                                 undertake vocational education and
                                           sessions.
www.australianapprenticeships.                                                        training courses, from the Certificate
gov.au                                     At the end of the ADF Cyber Gap            III to Advanced Diploma level. You will
                                           Program, there is no obligation to         also gain hands on work experience
                                           join the Australian Defence Force or       directly linked to your study through
Australian Defence Force                   provide a return of service. The ADF       completing a paid, twenty-day
(ADF) Gap Year Program                     Cyber Gap Program will support 800         internship placement with a local
The ADF Gap Year Program                   participants across four intakes that      business. The Commonwealth
provides an opportunity for young          run for 12 months.                         Scholarship Program is open to
Australians, who have finished Year        Further information on the ADF             young people aged 15-24 years
12 or equivalent, to experience            Cyber Gap Program is located on the        who live in an eligible region. The
12 months in the military without          website: www.dta.gov.au/cybergap           eligible regions are Gosford, Grafton,
the obligation to make a longer                                                       Maryborough, Townsville, Alice
commitment.                                                                           Springs, Wanneroo, Armadale, Port
                                           Foundation Language,                       Pirie, Shepparton and Burnie.
Participants in the Gap Year               Literacy, Numeracy and
Program learn practical and                                                           Scholars receive up to $5,000 per
leadership skills, enjoy a healthy and     Digital Skills Support                     annum in study assistance and up to
varied lifestyle, meet new friends         If you are a job seeker wishing to         $3,000 for completing the internship
and may even receive recognised            develop your reading, writing and          placement. Local businesses who host
qualifications to help progress their      maths skills to improve your chances       an intern receive $1,500.
future career - all while getting paid.    of finding and keeping a job, the Skills   For more information, including how
For more information please visit:         for Education and Employment (SEE)         to apply for a scholarship, visit the
www.defencejobs.gov.au/                    program can help.                          website at:
education/GapYear                          The SEE program provides language,         www.dese.gov.au/commonwealth-
                                           literacy and numeracy training to          scholarships-program-young-
                                           eligible job seekers, to help you to       australians

 With compliments from Darren Chester MP                                                                                     /5
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
The Government is helping thousands               Further information about the HELP
            of Australians to become qualified in             loan schemes, including information on
            their chosen field by providing access            VET Student Loans, can be found at
            to a Commonwealth supported place, a              www.studyassist.gov.au and
            student loan through HELP (including VET          www.dese.gov.au/vet-student-loans
            Student Loans), or support for apprentices
            through Trade Support Loans.                      VET Student Loans
            A loan is a serious commitment. It is a real      VET Student Loans help eligible students to
            debt that must be repaid when you reach           cover tuition fees for approved higher-level
            a certain income level (this income level         (diploma and above) vocational education
            for the 2021-22 financial year is $47,014).       and training (VET) courses.
            Make sure you understand your rights and          Maximum loan amounts available vary
            obligations before signing up to any sort of      depending on the course chosen. Some
            loan.                                             courses approved for VET Student Loans
                                                              may also be eligible for state or territory
            Commonwealth Supported                            government funding, which may reduce the
FINANCIAL   Places                                            loan amount needed to cover tuition fees.

AND OTHER   At the undergraduate level, many higher
            education providers (particularly universities)
                                                              You can find information on eligibility,
                                                              including courses approved for VET
SUPPORT     offer Commonwealth supported places
            to students who are Australian citizens. A
                                                              Student Loans, as well as the providers
                                                              (TAFEs, colleges and other institutions)
            Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is             approved to offer VET Student Loans, by
            a place at a university or higher education       searching on the MySkills website at
            provider where the government pays part           www.myskills.gov.au
            of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a
            loan, and you don’t have to pay it back.          Repaying your HELP Debt
            This subsidy does not cover the entire cost       You pay back your HELP debt through
            of your study. Students must pay the rest,        the tax system once you earn above the
            called the ‘student contribution amount’.         compulsory repayment threshold.
            This amount can be loaned through the
            Higher Education Loan Program (HELP).             In 2021-22, students will start repaying their
                                                              HELP debts when their income reaches the
            Higher Education Loan                             minimum repayment threshold of $47,014.
            Program (HELP)                                    The amount you repay changes with your
                                                              wage. The more you earn, the higher your
            At the undergraduate and postgraduate
                                                              repayment will be.
            levels, HELP assists eligible students with
            their student contribution amounts or             For more information on HELP repayments,
            tuition fees at university and other higher       call the Australian Taxation Office on
            education providers. Eligible students have       13 28 61 or visit www.ato.gov.au
            access to deferred payment arrangements
            through HELP.                                     myGov
            The HELP scheme consists of various               myGov is a simple and secure way to
            loans:                                            access government services online with
                                                              one login and one password.
            • HECS-HELP is for eligible
              Commonwealth supported students                 Create a myGov account and you can
              to cover their student contribution             link your Medicare, Centrelink or other
              amounts;                                        government services together in one place.
                                                              You can also:
            • FEE-HELP is for eligible fee-paying
              students to cover their tuition fees;           • get messages sent to your secure
                                                                 myGov Inbox;
            • SA-HELP is a loan that assists eligible
              students to pay for all or part of their        • update your personal details with
              student services and amenities fee; and            Centrelink and Medicare;
            • OS-HELP is to assist eligible students          • be confident your personal information
              who undertake part of their study                  is secure;
              overseas with a range of associated             • access your online accounts overseas
              expenses, such as airfares and                  To create a myGov account go to
              accommodation.                                  my.gov.au

6/                                                                        School Leavers’ Guide 2021
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
More information is available here:             General Benefits                               Allowance;
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/                                                                • Partner Allowance, Special Benefit or
individuals/subjects/about-mygov                Services Australia
                                                                                               Sickness Allowance;
                                                Services Australia delivers
Financial hardship                                                                           • Family Tax Benefit – Part A at more
                                                government payments and
If making your compulsory repayment                                                            than the base rate;
                                                services. They can provide you with
will cause you serious financial hardship,      information on relevant services and         • Parenting Payment partnered and
you can apply to the ATO to defer your          payment options, including referrals           single; or
repayment.                                      to employment service providers,             • JobSeeker Payment or Farm
For information on deferring repayments         Services Australia specialists and             Household Allowance.
visit www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/               other departments and agencies.
                                                                                             Special rules apply for some young
Study-and-training-support-loans/               www.servicesaustralia.gov.au is              people to get Rent Assistance with
Deferring-repayments/                           your first port of call for information on   some payments – for more information
For information about tertiary education        all payments and services available          visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
visit www.studyassist.gov.au                    through Services Australia.                  individuals/services/centrelink/rent-
                                                                                             assistance
Scholarships                                    Youth Allowance
                                                Financial help may be available if           Low Income Health Care Card
A variety of scholarships and awards are
available for students to gain financial        you’re 24 or younger and a student or        If you are a student, looking for work,
help for their tertiary studies. Details will   Australian Apprentice, or 21 or younger      an apprentice, or on a low income you
become available from universities and          and looking for work.                        may be eligible for a Low Income Health
other higher education providers during         To be eligible for Youth Allowance you       Care Card. This card entitles you to get
2021.                                           must be 16 to 21 and 1 of the following:     a prescription filled at a reduced cost,
                                                                                             and other concessions.
                                                • looking for full time work;
Trade Support Loans                                                                          For more information call 13 24 90 or
                                                • studying part time and looking for
An Australian apprentice or trainee                                                          visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/lic
                                                   work; or
working in a skills need area may be
eligible for a Trade Support Loan (TSL)         • temporarily unable to work.                ABSTUDY
of up to $21,779 to help cover the costs        Eligibility is based on many things          ABSTUDY is the Aboriginal and Torres
of living and learning.                         including:                                   Strait Islander Study Assistance
A TSL is an interest-free government                                                         Scheme, which is a group of payments
                                                • Your age and whether you are
funded loan that is paid in monthly                                                          for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
                                                   undertaking an approved course or
instalments for up to six months at a                                                        students or apprentices. ABSTUDY may
                                                   activity;
time. Your debt is indexed annually and                                                      assist you if you are:
                                                • If you are dependent or independent;
you will get a 20 per cent discount on                                                       • An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
your debt when you have successfully            • Income and assets tests; and                 Australian;
completed your apprenticeship.                  • Residency requirements.                    • In an approved course, Australian
You could borrow just a small                   Individual circumstances vary,                 Apprenticeship or traineeship; and
amount over a few months or receive             so for more information visit:               • Not getting another payment to study
payments over the four years of your            www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/                  or train.
apprenticeship, up to the lifetime limit of     individuals/services/centrelink/
$21,779 (for 2021-22).                                                                       ABSTUDY can help with your study
                                                youth-allowance
                                                                                             costs and housing if you need to travel
You choose how to spend the money.                                                           to study. It can help with your costs for:
You could use the loan to cover living          Rent Assistance
expenses, buy work equipment like               Rent Assistance is a regular extra           • Study;
tools or boots, or save your payments to        payment that may be available to you,        • Housing;
buy a car. Whatever you do, remember            if you receive certain payments from
                                                                                             • Living expenses; and
you will have to pay the money back.            Services Australia. Thresholds and
                                                maximum amounts of Rent Assistance           • Travel to your place of study each
You will start repaying your TSL once
                                                vary according to your individual              term or semester, if you need to
you have reached the compulsory
                                                circumstances.                                 study away from home.
repayment threshold of $47,014 (for
2021-22). Repayments are made                   You may be able to get Rent Assistance       For more information call 1800 132 317
through the income tax system (like a           if you pay rent, live in Australia, and      or visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.
university HELP loan).                          receive one of these payments:               au/abstudy
For more information contact an                 • Age Pension, Carer Payment or
Australian Apprenticeship Support                  Disability Support Pension;
Network in your region on                       • ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Austudy
1800 020 108 or visit www.australia-               or Youth Allowance;
napprenticeships.gov.au
                                                • Bereavement Allowance or Widow

  With compliments from Darren Chester MP                                                                                            /7
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
Employment
             When you are trying to get a job there are
             things you can do to make the process
             easier. You might want to:
             • Spend some time developing your
               career portfolio;
             • Consider the skills and attributes that
               employers are looking for;
             • Learn more about the steps involved in
               looking for work;
             • Get feedback on your résumé and job
               applications;
             • Consider directly approaching
               employers to ask about opportunities;
             • Practice your interview techniques; and
FINDING      • Follow up any applications you have
                                                          PaTH Internship Placements
EMPLOYMENT     circulated.                                If you’re a job seeker aged 17-24, a
                                                          PaTH Internship is a great way to get
             There are a number of ways to get            experience and find a job. An Internship is
             help finding work. You may find the list     a voluntary work trial with a host business
             of useful websites at the back of this       for between 4-12 weeks. You get the
             resource a good place to start.              chance to learn on the job, show your
             For more information visit                   skills and gain experience while employers
             www.dese.gov.au                              trial you to see if you are a good fit for
                                                          their business.
             Youth Jobs PaTH                              While you’re doing your internship, you
             Youth Jobs PaTH is an Australian             will get an extra $200 a fortnight on top of
             Government youth employment program          your income support payment.
             that helps young people gain the skills      For more information visit
             and experience they need to get and          www.jobactive.gov.au/path
             keep a job.
             PaTH will maximise the chances of young      Transition to Work
             Australians under 25 and on income           Transition to Work (TtW) helps at-risk and
             support to get a job through the following   disadvantaged young people aged 15-24
             initiatives:                                 years develop the skills, behaviours and
                                                          attitudes that employers are looking for.
             Employability Skills Training
                                                          In Transition to Work you’ll get practical
             Employers are always looking for             support to help you move from school to
             enthusiastic staff with good workplace       further education or employment.
             skills, and Employability Skills Training
                                                          Your TtW provider will focus on building
             can help prepare you to meet employer
                                                          your skills, confidence and work-
             expectations and improve your chances
                                                          readiness by helping you find skills and
             of getting a job.
                                                          training opportunities and linking you with
             You’ll get practical face-to-face training   people and services that can help.
             to develop your résumé, search for work
                                                          You will generally be expected to
             and improve your job interview skills.
                                                          participate in TtW services for 25 hours
             You’ll also develop skills employers want,   per week for up to 18 months. Your
             including computer skills, communication     provider will work with you to determine
             skills, problem solving, teamwork and        an appropriate mix of activities and
             time management skills.                      services to help you achieve your goals.
             In some courses, you’ll hear directly from   Your TtW provider will talk to you about
             employers about how their business           things like apprenticeships, internships,
             works or visit their workplace to see for    how to build your skills and confidence,
             yourself.                                    and link you up with employers looking for
             You’re supported by a professional trainer   young people willing to give things a go.
             in a safe and welcoming environment,
             with other young people also looking for
             work.

8/                                                                    School Leavers’ Guide 2021
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
Your provider will also support you        training places that are free or low fee,     Enhanced Support for
once you have started training or          in areas of identified skills need such
working. They are there to listen and      as health, aged and disability care, IT
                                                                                         School Leavers
help you stay motivated.                   and trades for job seekers and young          As a young person aged 15 to 24, the
                                           people, including school leavers.             National Careers Institute provides you
for more information visit the TtW
                                                                                         with access to information about your
website on www.dese.gov.au/                As part of the 2021-22 Budget, the
                                                                                         current and future education, training
transition-work or talk to your local      Australian Government announced
                                                                                         and work pathways through the
TtW provider.                              it would commit an additional $500
                                                                                         Enhanced Support for School Leavers
                                           million, to be matched by state and
                                                                                         measure.
jobactive                                  territory governments, to expand the
                                           JobTrainer Fund by up to 163,000              The measure includes the:
jobactive is a national network of
                                           places and extend the program until           • School Leavers Information Kit
private and community organisations
                                           31 December 2022. The final number              (SLIK), which provides you with
dedicated to finding jobs for
                                           of places will be dependent on the mix          national and local information to
unemployed people.
                                           of qualifications and short courses and         support your decisions about post-
If you are a registered job seeker and     will support training in digital skills and     school education, training, and
in receipt of an eligible income support   upskilling in critical industries like aged
                                                                                           work pathways. It also includes
payment, jobactive can help you.           care.
                                                                                           information to help you apply for a
Your jobactive provider will enter your    Job seekers and young people,                   job, to identify your employability
employment history and education into      including school leavers, can now take          skills and find information about
the JobSearch database (jobsearch.         advantage of subsidised training to             funding support and subsidies
gov.au), which will automatically match    learn skills for jobs in demand.                available to you.
your experience against available jobs.
                                           JobTrainer funding is available for           • School Leavers Information
For more information about jobactive       accredited diplomas, certificates               Service, available via phone, text,
visit www.jobactive.gov.au                 or short courses, based on a list               or email. An Information Officer
                                           agreed between the National Skills
                                                                                           will help you navigate the SLIK
The National Work                          Commission and the state and
                                                                                           and Your Career website, or refer
Experience Programme                       territory governments. State and
                                                                                           you, where needed, to a qualified
                                           territory governments are responsible
The National Work Experience                                                               Career Practitioner for a 45 minute
                                           for determining which qualifications
Programme is for people aged               and short courses to prioritise from            personalised career guidance
17 and older and registered with           the agreed list, with focus on training         session.
jobactive, Transition to Work or           in areas of anticipated employment            • Parents and Guardian’s Guide for
Disability Employment Services. The        growth.                                         School Leavers, which is available
program places you in real life work
                                           Training places under JobTrainer are            in Word and PDF formats and in
experience placements, helping you
                                           now available. Further information on           the four most common languages
gain experience and confidence,
                                           the JobTrainer Fund is available on the         other than English, on the Your
while demonstrating skills to potential
employers. The Program will offer you      Your Career website                             Career website.
work experience and employment             www.yourcareer.gov.au/jobtrainer              For more information visit
opportunities by providing unpaid          and the My Skills website                     www.yourcareer.gov.au/school-
placements with employers for up to        www.myskills.gov.au/jobtrainer                leavers-support/
four weeks, to a maximum of 25 hours
per week.
You may be eligible for an extra $20.80
a fortnight Approved Program of
Work Supplement while undertaking a
National Work Experience placement.
For more information visit
www.dese.gov.au/national-work-
experience-programme

JobTrainer
The Australian Government has
partnered with state and territory
governments to establish a $1 billion
JobTrainer Fund. This initial investment
will provide around 300,000 additional

 With compliments from Darren Chester MP                                                                                     /9
2021 Darren CHESTER MP With compliments from
Launch into Work                             National Careers Institute
             Launch into Work offers tailored pre-        The National Careers Institute was
             employment projects which prepare job        established to provide you with access
             seekers for specific vacancies. Projects     to accurate and up to date careers
             are co-designed directly with an employer    information.
             to ensure participants build the skills      The NCI’s website provides you with a
             required for a specific role within their    careers front door, connecting you to
             organisation.                                information, advice and support to help
             As a participant, you will receive, at       you find the job or study options that
             no cost to you: training tailored to the     are right for you. The website provides
             role; work experience, mentoring and         information about learning and training,
             a commitment of employment if you            getting job ready along with career ideas
             successfully complete the project.           and resources.
             Launch into Work is targeted at females,     For more information visit
             however, males are also welcome to            www.yourcareer.gov.au
             participate. To be eligible, you must be
FINDING      registered with a jobactive, Transition to   Community and Volunteer
             Work or ParentsNext provider.
                                                          Work
EMPLOYMENT   Further information is available at www.
                                                          Volunteer work is an excellent way of
             dese.gov.au/launch-work
                                                          experiencing new challenges and learning
                                                          about the world of work.
             Job Jumpstart
                                                          Volunteers provide a valuable service to
             Job Jumpstart is the Australian              the community. There are a variety of
             Government’s digital service for             organisations that rely on volunteers and
             young people seeking job search and          it can be a great way to gain new skills
             employment planning information. It offers   and build on your work experience.
             a range of information and resources,
             categorised into life stages for ease of     For more information visit
             use.                                         www.volunteeringaustralia.org

             The website provides you with:
                                                          Starting a Business
             • Information on making informed             Starting a business is another option
               choices about jobs and training,           to consider. There are more than 3.5
               setting goals and personal                 million small businesses operating across
               presentation, talking to employers and     Australia and you do not need formal
               workplace expectations;                    qualifications or business experience to
             • Insights into how different employers      start and run a business.
               recruit and tips to get their attention,   The business.gov.au website, the
               how to maintain a positive online          Government’s primary website for the
               presence as well as what skills and        Australian business community is a single
               attributes are needed for different jobs   entry point for accessing information
               and industries; and                        and resources from government to
                                                          help businesses. The website provides
             • Practical information, templates,
                                                          information to help people plan, start or
               workbooks and videos to help you
                                                          run their own business. The Guide to
               tailor résumés and cover letters, and
                                                          Starting a Business is a step-by-step tool
               prepare for interviews.
                                                          to help new business owners understand
             For more information please visit            what’s ahead when starting a business in
             www.jobjumpstart.gov.au                      Australia, and is available at
                                                          www.business.gov.au/Guide/Starting
                                                          There are also a number of programs
                                                          aimed at helping you build your enterprise
                                                          skills and develop innovative ideas, as
                                                          well as providing sources of training and
                                                          education.

10 /                                                                  School Leavers’ Guide 2021
These opportunities can be                 Entrepreneurship                           Other Resources
found on the business.gov.au
website. The Grants and Programs
                                           Facilitators                               For more information and guidance on
                                           Entrepreneurship Facilitators promote      how to start a new small business, you
search tool provides details of
                                           entrepreneurship and provide support       can visit:
funding opportunities across the
Commonwealth, state and territory          and assistance to help individuals start   • the SelfStart Hub at
governments and, in some cases, from       their own business. Entrepreneurship         www.jobsearch.gov.au/selfstart
local councils. To access the search       Facilitators provide free mentoring and
                                                                                      • the Starting a Business Guide at
tool, visit www.business.gov.au/           support and help connect individuals
                                                                                        www.business.gov.au/Guide/
grants-and-programs                        with relevant services in the local
                                                                                        Starting
                                           area. The Facilitators are located in 23
New Business Assistance                    metropolitan and regional areas across     • your local Business Enterprise
                                           the country.                                 Centre at www.becaustralia.org.
with NEIS                                                                               au/ for one on one advice and help.
                                           For more information visit
The New Business Assistance with           www.dese.gov.au/
NEIS program provides people 18            entrepreneurship-facilitators
years of age or over who want to start
a new small business with:
                                           Tax File Number
• free accredited small business
                                           Your tax file number (TFN) is your
  training;
                                           personal reference number in the
• help to develop a business plan;         tax and superannuation systems.
  and                                      You keep the same TFN even if you
• mentoring for up to 52 weeks.            change your name, change jobs,
                                           move interstate or go overseas.
Eligible participants may also be able
to access NEIS Allowance for up to 39      Your TFN is an important part of your
weeks and Rental Assistance for up to      tax records, as well as your identity,
26 weeks.                                  so it’s important to keep it secure.

To find out about whether you are          You must provide your TFN or a
eligible for the NEIS program you can      certificate of an application for a TFN
speak to a NEIS provider in your local     when you apply for a study or training
area. For more information, or to find a   loan. You also need your TFN to be
NEIS provider visit                        able to apply for government benefits,
www.dese.gov.au/NEIS                       lodge your tax return electronically or
                                           get an Australian business number
                                           (ABN). How to apply for a TFN will
Exploring Being My Own                     depend on your circumstances.
Boss Workshops
                                           For information on how to apply
Exploring Being My Own Boss                for a TFN visit www.ato.gov.au/
Workshops is a free program aimed          individuals/tax-file-number
at helping people understand what
                                           For more information contact the ATO
self-employment means and what is
                                           on 13 28 61 or visit www.ato.gov.au
involved in starting a small business.
The program is delivered over 2 – 4
weeks, depending on your individual
circumstances.
To find out whether you are eligible
to participate in a Workshop you can
speak to a Workshop provider in your
local area. For more information visit
www.dese.gov.au/EBMOB-
workshops.

 With compliments from Darren Chester MP                                                                                 / 11
Medicare                                    To enrol in Medicare you must live in
                                                          Australia and be one of the following:
              Medicare is Australia’s universal
              health care system. When you enrol in       • An Australian citizen;
              Medicare, Services Australia pays some      • A New Zealand citizen;
              or all of the costs of your necessary
                                                          • An Australian permanent resident;
              health care.
                                                          • Applying for permanent residency; or
              Medicare provides access to:
                                                          • A temporary resident covered by a
              • If your doctor bulk bills, Medicare
                                                            Ministerial Order.
                pay the cost directly to the doctor.
                This means you won’t have to pay          You may already be listed on your
                anything;                                 parents’ Medicare card, however young
                                                          people over the age of 15 may enrol on
              • You’ll need to pay for your
                                                          their own Medicare Card. If you are on
                appointment if your GP doesn’t bulk
                                                          your parents’ card, you can download
                bill. You may be able to claim some of
                                                          a Medicare enrolment or transfer
                this money back from Medicare; and
                                                          application form from the Services
ADDITIONAL    • Medicare also help to make some
                medicines more affordable for you
                                                          Australia website to get your own
                                                          Medicare card.
INFORMATION     through the Pharmaceutical Benefits
                Scheme.
                                                          You will need to provide some form of
                                                          identification (like a passport or student
              For more information visit                  ID). If you haven’t been enrolled before,
              www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/               you may need to provide eligibility
              individuals/subjects/whats-covered-         documents.
              medicare
                                                          Remember to take your Medicare card
              How to Enrol in Medicare and                with you when visiting a doctor or when
                                                          you have a prescription filled.
              Obtain a Medicare Card
                                                          For more information call 13 20 11
              You get a Medicare card when you enrol
                                                          or visit: www.servicesaustralia.gov.
              in Medicare. You’ll usually be told your
                                                          au/individuals/services/medicare/
              Medicare number straight away and
                                                          medicare-card
              your card will be sent to the address you
              provided in 3 to 4 weeks.
                                                          Unique Student Identifier
              You can use a digital copy of your
              Medicare card as soon as you enrol. To      A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a
              use a digital version of your Medicare      reference number that links together
              card, you need to:                          higher education and training records
                                                          from different providers, in different
              • Download and sign in to the Express       states, and across different years – all in
                Plus Medicare app; and                    the one record.
              • Select the Card tab on the home           Students can view their higher education
                screen.                                   and training records or transcripts online
                                                          through their USI account. They can also
                                                          download or print their USI Transcript
                                                          and share it electronically with providers
                                                          and employers of their choice.
                                                          All students undertaking higher
                                                          education and nationally recognised
                                                          training must provide a USI to their
                                                          provider unless exempt. It is free and
                                                          easy to create and stays with you for life.
                                                          For more information please visit
                                                          www.usi.gov.au

12 /                                                                  School Leavers’ Guide 2021
Useful Websites                             www.compared.edu.au
                                                                                        Provides students with information
                                            www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au
                                                                                        on survey results covering the higher
                                                                                        education student life cycle from
                                            Learn more about Australian
                                                                                        commencement to employment.
                                            Apprenticeships and the benefits of
                                                                                        It publishes overall satisfaction
                                            combining practical work and training.      of current students and recent
                                                                                        graduates, median salary received
                                            www.dese.gov.au/vet-student-loans           by recent graduates and full-time
                                            Learn more about the eligibility criteria   employment rates after graduation.
                                            and how to apply for VET Student
                                                                                        www.courseseeker.edu.au
                                            Loans.
                                                                                        Compare undergraduate courses from
                                            www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au            top universities and higher education
                                            Find courses and places to study using      institutions. Find course information,
                                            various search criteria and ratings on      entry requirements, admission
                                            universities, campuses and courses.         processes and student satisfaction.

Enrolling to Vote                           www.graduatecareers.com.au                  www.studyassist.gov.au
Voting is both your right and your                                                      Provides information to students about
                                            Employment support services and
responsibility as an Australian. It is                                                  Government assistance with higher
                                            programs.
compulsory for all Australians 18 years                                                 education.
and older to enrol and vote (although       www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
you can pre-enrol when you turn 16).                                                    my.gov.au
Failure to vote at an election can result   For Medicare and Centrelink support
                                            services and programs.                      A fast, simple way to access
in a fine.
                                                                                        government online services including
If you believe you are already pre-         www.jobsearch.gov.au                        Centrelink, Medicare and the ATO.
enrolled, you can check your enrolment
here: www.check.aec.gov.au                  Current labour market information           Tertiary Admissions Centres
                                            including job prospects, employment
If you need to enrol for the first time     rates and average incomes.                  New South Wales and
for federal, state and local government
                                                                                        Australian Capital Territory
elections, this can be done by filling      www.aqf.edu.au                              www.uac.edu.au
out a single form, available from the
Australian Electoral Commission             The Australian Qualifications
                                            Framework (AQF) is the national             Queensland
(AEC) website (select enrol to vote),
                                            policy for regulated qualifications in      www.qtac.edu.au
post offices or your local Member of
Parliament.                                 the Australian education and training
                                            system.                                     South Australia
For more information contact the AEC                                                    www.satac.edu.au
on 13 23 26 or visit                        www.open.edu.au
www.aec.gov.au/enrol                                                                    Victoria
                                            A flexible way to study toward a            www.vtac.edu.au
If you need to update your enrolled         university degree off campus.
address, because you have
permanently changed home, you                                                           Western Australia
                                            www.volunteeringaustralia.org
should revise your enrolment after                                                      www.tisc.edu.au
you have lived at the new residential       Provides information on a range of
                                            opportunities for volunteers.               Tasmania
address for a period of at least one
                                                                                        www.utas.edu.au
month.                                      www.defencejobs.gov.au
If you are temporarily living away from
                                            Provides information on a range of
home (for instance for study), but
                                            career and job opportunities in the
intend your return, you do not need to
                                            Australian Defence Force.
update your enrolment.
To update details, visit here:              www.myskills.gov.au
www.aec.gov.au/enrol/update-my-
                                            Australia’s directory of training
details.htm
                                            available for school leavers, students,
                                            apprentices and employers throughout
                                            the country.

 With compliments from Darren Chester MP                                                                                    / 13
Good mental health and                   How to care for your Mental
              wellbeing allows you to                  Wellbeing at Work:
              participate in life in a positive        • Set Achievable Goals – Making a list
              and meaningful way. As                     at the start of the day helps.
              you begin this next exciting             • Talk about your day with friends or
              phase in your life, looking                family helps process events of the day
                                                         and give support.
              after your mental health is
              important to ensure you can              • Set boundaries for ‘me time’ – Make
                                                         some time to recharge and unwind,
              work productively, realise                 that means turning off screens.
              your own potential and make              • Cut-out time wasters.
              a positive difference in your
                                                       • Take your breaks – it’s easy to get
              community. Here are just                   caught up in work, take a small walk
              a few ways you can look
KEEPING       after your mental health and
                                                         or eat lunch outside.

GOOD MENTAL   wellbeing.                               Sometimes in life, things can
                                                       get a bit overwhelming and
HEALTH        How to care for your Mental              stressful. Always remember
              Wellbeing:                               that it’s okay to ask for
              • Building good relationships and
                                                       help. Below are just a few
                regularly connecting with your         places where you can get
                family, friends, workmates and your    assistance.
                community.
              • Establishing a good sleep routine.     Where can I get help?
              • Eating well and getting good
                                                       Lifeline
                nutrition – this includes staying      13 11 14
                hydrated.                              www.lifeline.org.au
              • Regular exercise.
                                                       Beyond Blue
              • Planning your day and routine.         1300 22 4636
              • Taking regular breaks between          www.beyondblue.org.au
                study sessions.                        Kids Helpline
              • Be kind to yourself, challenge         1800 551 800
                negative self-talk by reminding        www.kidshelpline.com.au
                yourself about your positives.         Suicide Call Back Service
              • Relaxation - going for a walk          1300 659 467
                immersing yourself in nature, listen   www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
                to relaxing music, reading.
                                                       Domestic Violence Impact Line
              • Limit screen time.                     1800 943 539
              • Don’t forget to have fun! Do stuff     www.rape-dvservices.org.au
                you enjoy and don’t take yourself      Headspace
                too seriously.                         www.headspace.org.au

14 /                                                              School Leavers’ Guide 2021
Darren CHESTER MP
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           or complete, take a picture and email through to my office.

Darren CHESTER MP                                                                                                                 Level 1, 89 Raymond Street, Sale VIC 3850
                                                                                                                            1300 131 785     darren.chester.mp@aph.gov.au
THE NATIONALS FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND
                                                                                                                                darrenchester.com.au     DarrenChesterMP
Authorised and printed by D. Chester, National Party of Australia, Level 1, 89 Raymond Street, Sale VIC 3850.                                                       / 15
Darren CHESTER MP
       THE NATIONALS FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GIPPSLAND
             Level 1, 89 Raymond Street, Sale VIC 3850                                             1300 131 785
             darren.chester.mp@aph.gov.au                                    darrenchester.com.au                      DarrenChesterMP

16 /   Authorised and printed by D. Chester, National Party of Australia, Level 1, 89 Raymond Street, Sale VIC 3850.      School Leavers’ Guide 2021
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