A message for young people under 17 years of age

From January 2010, a new law in NSW requires students to complete school to Year 10 and then to continue in either full-time education, training, paid employment, or a combination of these until you are at least 17 years of age.

If you are under 17 years of age the options available to you have been affected by this change in the law.

The NSW legislation is part of the aim of all Australian governments to get young people to stay at school longer and gain skills to help them in their future lives.

Once you have completed Year 10 at school you need to do one of the following:

• stay at school and continue into Years 11 and 12
• take up an apprenticeship or a traineeship
• enrol in a vocational qualification at TAFE NSW or another approved training organisation
• undertake full time paid employment
• participate in a combination of education, training and employment.

Once you have completed Year 10, TAFE NSW can provide vocational training with learning support to help you to get a job or go on to further training.

Under exceptional circumstances, TAFE NSW will offer Certificate II vocational courses for a small number of young people who are under 17 years of age and have not completed Year 10. You will need special permission from your parent/caregiver, school and from TAFE. The decision will be based on your ability and skills to study in an adult learning environment and your interest in specific vocational qualifications.

If you are over 17 years of age please see our main courses and careers information for courses available to you.