It collates In Focus Careers blog posts, resources and other mind maps for West Australian Year 12s who want to go to uni in 2023.If you hate school, leaving IS AN OPTION. There is no point hanging around at school if you hate it.
If you are worried that you won’t ever get into uni, you need to know that only 26% of uni students go straight there via the ATAR pathway. Most university students get there through some other pathway.
If you are worried that you won’t ever get a well paid job, you need to find out about modern trends in lifelong learning and careers.
Don’t wait until you are ready to leave to start preparing. (If you are in Year 9 see the tips below.)
As soon as you start thinking of leaving school, talk to a career advisor. They can help you to:
If you don’t have a school career advisor, go to a Jobs and Skills Centre for free career advice.
If you live in the Wanneroo or Armadale areas, engage with the Industry Training Hub.
Each Training Hub is managed by a full-time Career Facilitator, providing an on-the-ground presence while delivering Training Hub services.
Career Facilitators work with and encourage young people to build skills and choose occupations in demand in their region, creating better linkages between schools and local industry, repositioning vocational education and training as a first-choice option.
They mainly focus on year 11 and 12s but if you are in Year 10 you may be able to engage with their services.
The Notice of Arrangement is forwarded by your school to the Minister for Education for consideration.
You will be informed of the Minister’s decision. It won’t be a straight “no”. You will either have your application approved, or you will be told what extra things you need to do in order to get approval.
In Western Australia you must stay at school until you finish Year 10, then you can get special permission to leave school before you finish Year 12 if you have:
Or a combination of both.
In most cases you need to be 15 to be employed or 13 to work in a fast food outlet. (There are exceptions to this. You can see details of the exceptions HERE.)
Tell people you want a job.
You can get a job through family and friends, through volunteering and impressing employers, through work experience and through part time work.
2. Study
There are foundation and introductory courses at TAFE that do not have any English or maths requirements. You can be accepted into some of these courses while you are still of school age.
Go to a Jobs and Skills Centre for information about the courses that are available and which course would be best for you.
If you are okay academically but don’t want to go to school, go to a Jobs and Skills Centre and do an aptitude test, talk to a counsellor and get advice about your study options.
3. Work and Study
If you get an apprenticeship or traineeship you will be doing on the job and off the job training.
You may be able to start studying a part time VET course now, and combine your study with a part time job.
You can end up ahead of your friends who complete their WACE if you start a VET course early. You can do a Certificate II in Health Support Services and follow through with higher studies in the health sector.
You can’t go wrong with qualifications in computing, particularly if you have a detailed, problem solving brain.
If you are in Middle School and you are hating school:
Year 9
The new Career Taster Program in WA schools gives Year 9s the chance to learn about opportunities after school. Through the Taster Program you will meet workers who will tell you about what their work involves.
Through your contacts you may get additional volunteer experience, or a part time job.
If you want to leave school early, don’t just jump. There are people and services around to help you to smooth your path into a life that you find much more fun than school.
Good luck with your new adventures.
There are outstanding teachers in all disciplines in Western Australia, but great teaching doesn’t lead students to make great career choices. Career Educators are the light on the hill that students and families need.
Keep up to date with the latest career opportunities in Western Australia.
If you are in Year 12, you need to decide where you want to belong when you leave school.
Most of us don’t remember our dreams. Your dreams, or even your vague ideas will come in a whisper, not in a shout. Here are some tips on how to listen to your heart.
Career ideas don’t come fully formed. This simple trick will help you to see some possibilities.
Make a list of the things you do in a day. This list provides you with the raw material that you need to decide where you want to belong.
Expand your list by adding what you do on a weekend or on holidays or things you liked when you were younger.
When you have finished your list, highlight the things you like doing most. Check out those things and use them to guide your decisions about where you want to belong next.
Ideas are most at risk when they are vague and new.
Ideas need pampering or they will fade away.
Talk to your career advisor to get ideas about how you can do more of what you like doing most.
You can also check out how to do more of what you like through a free appointment with a careers counsellor at a Jobs and Skills Centre.
For more information go to Get on track to uni in WA 2023 or .Year 10 Magic Happens: Careers Handbook
For Donald Trump money and power are important.
For the Wiggles it is entertaining little kids.
You can figure out what is important to you through this game:
If you included your dog you might have:
MIssy – Friendly, fun, understanding.
You will have 24 different things that you like.
Group together similar things. The things that appear most are those things that are most important to you.
Let those things guide your decisions about where you want to go next.
If making money and having power is important to you, you won’t want to go to care for orphans in Cambodia.
If entertaining little kids is important to you, you might check out early childhood education. That is where the original Wiggles started.
For more information go to Get on track to uni in WA 2023 or .Year 10 Magic Happens: Careers Handbook
From little things big things grow.
Start by listening to what you like now. From those ideas you can grow your future.
Check to see if those thing sounds true to your values.
Stand on the shoulders of giants. Ask older people for information. Ask what they did. We all want you to succeed.
Get on track to uni in WA 2023 Year 10 Magic Happens Careers Handbook
Notre Dame has its Getting Into Medicine information session on 3 May at 5.30 West Australian Time. Curtin has their information session on 9th May.
People who want to get into medicine in 2023 need to attend medicine information sessions to hear of course application procedures and they need to complete their UCAT applications.
Notre Dame, Curtin and UWA run medicine courses in WA.
If you missed the Curtin information you can find the video HERE.
If you missed the Notre Dame information session, search “Notre Dame Medical Student information videos” for a suite of helpful videos.
UWA has not planned an information session. You can find information about medicine at UWA HERE.
To get into medicine you have to score well on a University Clinical Admission Test (UCAT)
Students undertake the UCAT at a time they can choose between 1 July to 12 August.
There is a fee to undertake the UCAT. Concessions close on 10 May.
Applications close on 17th May.
Late bookings for UCAT
The late booking deadline is 31st May.
To see all dates go HERE.
There is a bank of tests that students should do to prepare for the test.
UCAT recommends:
you start by viewing the Preparation Advice and Resources before moving onto the Question Banks and Practice Tests and the Test Tools.
Training organisations that are not associated with UCAT offer additional training. UCAT has this to say about those organisations:
Commercial organisations will be using questions that are not necessarily of the standard you will encounter in the UCAT and this may distort your performance whilst practising. Screen views may be different and commercial organisations are unlikely to include the new question types, which you may encounter in your test. They may also not replicate the UCAT scoring and banding accurately and may give misleading indicators of your anticipated UCAT score.
Good luck to all of you who aim to get into medicine.
You can use the skills you developed when coming to high school to guide your transition from high school to uni.
Online Study V On Campus
Get your student number and connection to the internet sorted. You will be given instructions about how to do this around Christmas time with the offer that comes after the final TISC results come out.
If face to face classes are available on campus, go to them. Uni is so much more than curated information about different subjects.
On Campus Accommodation
If you CAN stay on campus, do that.
We want students to stay at the on campus accommodation, whether they are from South East Asia or South Perth.
Professor Harlene Hayne, Vice Chancellor Curtin University
There are people employed by residential colleges who have knowledge, networks and power to create an amazing university life for you. You will make friends for life, get help with study and create networks that will lead to jobs.
$$$$$$$$: Check accommodation scholarships HERE.
Public Transport
If you will be taking public transport to uni, figure out the best route and timetable and find out how to get your SmartRider ticket.
Tertiary SmartRider
Parking
Not being able to find parking when you are under pressure can break you.
Get your parking stickers/app during the holidays. Find where you can park and where to find parking during peak hours. Try to find free parking, although most good free spots will be taken by students who have been at uni for a while. 
Campus Layout
Go to movies, food van markets, play sport or join clubs on campus. Each baby step you make to become familiar with your uni will make your transition easier.
Walk around the campus. If you are doing engineering, go to the engineering building. Check out the room and lab locations. Find the library.
Whatever course you are doing, find your buildings and know where your classes will be held BEFORE Orientation Week.
If you aren’t certain which subjects to take, do a uni prep course – its free and it will help you to make better subject choices. You will be able to go to the same campus as your friends who are leaping into their degree straight away, and you will learn enough to be clear about what course you want to do before you start your degree.
Lectures, tutorials and workshops will be scheduled throughout the week. You choose your timetable.Your school timetable is a good model to follow when choosing your class times.
Treat uni like school. Organise your timetable so that you go to uni every day. Don’t be tempted to pack your scheduled times into a few days and just go during scheduled times. Spend your “free time” doing your research and assignments.
If you treat uni as a job, with a 40 hour week and some good study planning you are on a good path to success. Schedule breaks where you meet your friends and where you play sport or engage in club activities. A mix of work and play is what you need to have a great time at uni.
The friends you make at uni can stay with you for your entire life.
There will be so many people to choose from. If you go to Curtin, there will be about 50,000 people to choose from. If you go to Notre Dame in Fremantle, which is our smallest uni, you will have about 6,000 to choose from.
If you pick clubs or sports or volunteer activities from the amazing choice that is available, you will find friends there who have the same interests as you. You can join clubs during Orientation Week.
If you arrange to stay at university accommodation you will meet lots of new people there.
To subscribe email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au
Pathways from High School Video Presentation for Senior Students
Get on track to uni in WA 2023
We’ll use your year 11 results to assess your application for an early offer and calculate your predicted ATAR.
Curtin University Early Offers Advice
While there are many alternative pathways, ATAR is still the most common way that school leavers use to get into university.
Final ATAR results are still important as:
Most senior students undertake some form of extra revision programs to give themselves every chance to succeed.
Private Providers
Several organisations specialise in tutoring students in preparation for ATAR, OLNA or NAPLAN exams.
ECU has run ATAR revision programs in the past. In 2021 it did them online because of COVID. A program for 2022 has not yet been published but watch out for them as they are free and they fill up quickly.
I will put a notice in the In Focus Careers Newsletter as soon as details become available.
ATAR Revision Courses
Academic Task Force Holiday Revision Courses are designed specifically for students looking to revise ATAR course content and practice exam-style questions in preparation for exams.
Students will increase their understanding, receive fresh insights and gain intensive revision of their subject during this short course. Each subject is taught by a highly qualified and vaccinated ATAR teacher with a strong background in marking and writing exams to increase their performance.
Enrol HERE.
Master Classes are one hour sessions conducted once a week in term time. Each week they reteach, revise and reinforce the topics and areas of study that the students are dealing with in their classes at school.
Masterclasses offer students
Find programs for students from Years 7 – 12 HERE.
ReviseOnline offers specifically designed multiple choice, short answer and extended response questions in a range of Year 11 and 12 courses which match the format of ATAR exams.
Once you submit a completed test or exam you’re provided with ATAR-standard sample responses and can evaluate your answers against a fully-worked marking key. All our courses are up to date and WACE specific, so each question you complete is improving your exam skills and ultimately boosting your ATAR!
Check out the courses HERE.
Nailing the ATAR and getting the results you are hoping for isn’t necessarily about being the smartest kid in the class. It’s about being well-prepared, knowing what to focus on and understanding what questions are most likely to come up in the exams and how to answer them.
With the help of T.E.E. Consultants’ July holiday intensive exam revision program, Year 12 students can access ten hours of additional teaching per subject, to truly understand the course curriculum and perform better in exam conditions.
Students are invited to enrol in up to five subjects in Week One of the July holiday period. Country students can access heavily discounted, full board accommodation packages which offer safe, secure, supervised accommodation on-site for regional students who enrol in at least three subjects.
Courses are run at UWA and at Murdoch.
Check their programs HERE.
At inTuition, each student undertakes an assessment and programs are customised to meet their needs. Tutors are qualified teachers or experts in their fields.
The office is based in Osborne Park
You can find their programs HERE.
Email Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au for details.
Universities love academic superstars.
They all offer scholarships to attract the most academically gifted students to their university.
These sites identify key academic scholarships at West Australian universities. There are many scholarships for you to apply for.
Don’t stop at applying for one scholarship. This is your place to shine. This is where you find the resources to support yourself while you are studying at university.
Check Mistakes Students Make When Applying for Scholarships and How to Avoid Them.
Curtin
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If you have a high ATAR you will automatically be awarded the Curtin Excellence Scholarship if you’re a domestic year 12 student, graduate with an ATAR of 96+*, have an eligible Curtin course as your first preference and accept our main round offer:
If your ATAR is 96 – 96.99, you’ll receive a one-year scholarship valued at $5,000. If your ATAR is 97 or higher, you’ll receive a three-year scholarship valued at $15,000. 2022 Curtin ATAR Achievement Scholarship (Closing Date: 02 Dec 2022) For students who have achieved an ATAR that exceeds their predicted ATAR by 3 points in 2022 and wish to pursue an eligible undergraduate course at Curtin University. 2023 – Curtin Excellence Scholarship (Closing Date: 19 Dec 2022) Students who have demonstrated academic excellence through their ATAR in 2022 and wish to pursue an eligible undergraduate course at Curtin University. *Medical school students are ineligible for this scholarship. |
UWA
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Academic Excellence Scholarships provides financial support to students who have been recognised for their outstanding academic results. These Scholarships are available to both Domestic and International students across all study areas. |
ECU
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ECU Excellence Scholarship is open to Western Australian year 12 school leavers displaying outstanding academic excellence. You will be considered for this scholarship when you select Edith Cowan University as your first preference on your TISC Application. The scholarship offers a payment of $2,500 per semester (or pro rata for part time study) for a total of $5,000 per year for the duration of your course.
Science Excellence High performing students can apply for ECU Science Excellence Scholarships valued at $15,000, based on their ATAR. Available for qualifying candidates interested in science or computing & security courses, successful students receive $15,000, paid as $5,000 per year over 3 years once they enrol at ECU. |
Murdoch
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With over $2.5 million in scholarships awarded every year, students from all walks of life are enjoying the benefits a scholarship can bring. Unlike loans, scholarships do not need to be repaid so you can spend more time focussing on your studies. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, new or continuing, we encourage you to explore the opportunities available.
See Murdoch Excellence Scholarships
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Notre Dame
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Twenty students will receive support to kick-start their university studies thanks to The University of Notre Dame Australia’s new suite of scholarships.
The scholarships, worth up to $20,000 each, will be awarded to students commencing undergraduate and postgraduate programs in 2022 on the basis of equity or merit. Scholarship recipients will receive $10,000 in their first year of study and $5,000 in subsequent years of their degree (up to 3 years). |
Email: Bev.J@infocus-careers.com.au
Get on track to uni in WA 2023
Pathways from High School in WA Video Presentation
The content was just what our Year 12’s needed, and the timing is perfect.
Students can even take a copy home and watch it with their parents!!
Judy is an academic superstar who checks out the Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) at Curtin, medicine everywhere, and Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) at UWA. 
Take your time at the open day. Spend 3-4 hours to get the feel of the campus.
Make a big day of it
Your career decision will be influenced most by your family and friends. If you can go to the open day with both family and friends, do that!
If you haven’t ever been to an Open Day Check Year 11: How to approach university open days.
Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.
Zig Ziglar
Research
Pick the Best Bits Before You Get There
Notre Dame Open Day information page
Notre Dame information page
Don’t rush. Plan to spend a 3 – 4 hours at the Open Day.
Pick Me! Faculty Stands
Every faculty wants you to enrol in one of their courses.
ASK:
University lecturers are the experts at the faculty stands who you need to approach with questions like:
If you do not have course prerequisites or think you may not achieve the required ATAR, ask about alternative pathways.
Find Current Students at the Stands
There will be current students at most stands. Ask them what course they are doing and what they love and hate about it.
Ask a student ambassador if they are willing to have a coffee with you.
You may be invited to enrol on the spot. Don’t do this.
Don’t make your career decision based on a brochure and 30 second discussion. If there is a crowd at the stand when you visit, ask for an appointment.
Don’t sign up at an Open Day.
If you plan to stay in university accommodation:
In 2022 some universities are asking you to register prior to the event and to do all you can to prevent spreading COVID 19.
Even if you are one of the few who knows exactly what course you want to take, book a free appointment with a career counsellor. They may know of:
Get on Track to University in WA in 2023 online book captures all of the current information you need to create your best path to uni in 2023.
University open days are starting in March this year.
Going to a uni open day is like going to a show. There are food vans, exhibitions and demonstrations and interesting people to meet, who WANT to convince you that their course is fantastic.
Check out the Worksheets at the bottom of this post.
Start learning about life at university in Year 9. Check out the food vans. Listen to the music. Go into buildings and see the latest tech tools, computer games and research. See what workshops are on. Find the library, the shops and the toilets.
Explore and Experience Try stuff. There will be people inviting you to engage with practical experiences in their subject. It could be VR. It could be checking out the latest medical research, making a short movie using their studio. All faculties will have practical experiences for you to engage with. Do it now.
Get an authentic experience. Engage with current students. Build on what you have learned in years 9 and 10 visits by asking questions of both students, academics and staff. Check out presentations and exhibitions to see what you will gain most from and register for them, or just make a schedule of where to be and at what time.
This is it. You need to be able to build from your other Open Day experiences. You will know what faculties to visit, and you will have a range of questions to ask. By now you should have narrowed down your options and you will be able to ask specific questions about subjects, industry engagement opportunities, mentors, support programs etc. You will know which presentations and demonstrations you need to revisit.
