CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Applying to study at university in 2026

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) is responsible for managing the undergraduate university and tertiary education admissions process in Queensland.  

Queensland Year 12 students can begin their QTAC Application for courses commencing in 2026  from Tuesday 5 August. Students will need to:

• create a QTAC Account; and
• register to access their ATAR in the ATAR Portal

Students should use a personal email address and ensure they have their LUI, DOB, and full name (as on QCAA record).

Students can list up to six preferences in their QTAC application. QTAC processes these preferences in order and make offers based on eligibility (for example, meeting subject prerequisites) and merit (for example, the ATAR).

To stay informed about key dates and receive timely reminders, students can sign up for QTAC’s Remind Me service. Sign up now to go in the draw to win prizes such as Google Nests, Beats Headphones and more.

University Information Evening

Year 12 students, parents and carers are invited to join us for an essential info session covering university pathways, key dates, application processes, support options, and next steps for life after school.

Date: Tuesday 22 July 2025
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Location: Assisi Campus Library

Visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KGC3KX5 to register your interest in attending.

For questions, please contact our Career Development Practitioner, Miss Kathryn Tebble

Interstate university applications

For students who are interested in applying for courses at interstate universities, each state has their own tertiary admissions centre. Miss Tebble is able to assist students with navigating these processes and requirements. Students are encouraged to book an appointment early to find out about key dates and application requirements.

University early offers

Early offers to universities allow Year 12 students to secure a place before receiving their final exam results (ATAR). These programs, often called "early entry" or "early offer" schemes, enable students to finalize their plans for university while still in high school, potentially reducing stress during the exam period. 

JCU Early Offer program

JCU’s Early Offer program is a pathway to give students some peace of mind knowing they have a place at university next year, and is one less thing to stress about during exam time. The offer they receive will be “conditional” – basically, this means it comes with conditions. For example, an offer might be conditional on achieving a certain ATAR or completing specific subjects.

Students can apply for the JCU Early Offer program from 5 August 2025 by completing a Nomination Form and obtaining the School’s recommendation. The nomination form will be available for schools to download early August when nominations open. Nominations close 10 October 2025.

JCU QTAC Vouchers

JCU are offering students the opportunity to apply for a voucher to cover the costs of their QTAC Application Fee. JCU’s QTAC Voucher applications will open on 1 August. Students need to apply and receive their voucher from JCU first, then submit their QTAC Application with the voucher code. Further details coming soon.

CQU Principal’s Recommendation Scheme

The Principal’s Recommendation Scheme (PRS) provides a pathway for Year 12 students to apply to a range of undergraduate CQU courses based on their high school principal's recommendation rather than ATAR. Students can receive an offer without waiting for their Year 12 results and won't need to apply via a Tertiary Admission Centre for that same course.Open to all Year 12 students, the Scheme is designed to assist capable students to access entry to CQUniversity. 

More early offer programs

ACU Guarantee. Applications open 21 July and close 15 September. 

Bond University. Apply with your Year 11 and Year 12 Semester 1 results. Applications are open year-round for most programs.

Griffith University Year 12 Early Offer Guarantee. Applications open 5 August and close 20 September. Offers made from 5 September.

Queensland University of Technology - QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme. Applications open 5 August and close 22 October.

Southern Cross University. Applications are now open and close 30 September. Offers made from 10 November.

University of Southern Queensland - UniSQ Early Entry. Applications open 5 August and close 16 October. Offers made from 5 September.

University of the Sunshine Coast - UniSC Early Offer Guarantee. Applications open 5 August and close 6 October. Offers made from 5 September.

Students wishing to apply for an early offer are encouraged to book at time to discuss this with our Career Development Practitioner, Miss Kathryn Tebble.

QTAC and University key dates and events

Commonwealth Prac Payment

Courses that include mandatory placement are both challenging and rewarding. Choosing a course with a mandatory placement, like nursing, teaching or social work, opens up so many pathways to a meaningful career and allows students to put theory into practice. Many students find their placements to be the most rewarding and transformational part of their study. 

While placements are an important part of the learning experience, they can also be financially challenging. To help, the Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP), a new initiative to ease the costs of placements. The aid is for students in teaching, nursing and midwifery and social work programs at university, as well as nursing students in vocational education and training (VET) courses. These payments aim to address the ‘placement poverty’ caused by students having to support themselves during unpaid placements. The CPP can also help ease the other costs associated with undertaking unpaid placement such as:

• travel and accommodation, particularly when the placement is located far from home or campus
• materials and uniforms required by the workplace

Ultimately, with the help of CPP, students will be able to focus on their education and practical training without the shadow of financial hardship looming over them.

Key benefits of the Commonwealth Prac Payment 

• Starting 1 July 2025, eligible students can receive $331.65 per week during their placement. This amount is based on the single Austudy rate. 
• The payment is available to those already on Commonwealth income support payments such as ABSTUDY, Austudy, Youth Allowance or DVA Education Allowance (and who meet the other eligibility criteria) OR is means tested, so it helps students who need it most.  
• Both full-time and part-time students can receive the payment.

Who is eligible for the Commonwealth Prac Payment?

You need to meet specific criteria to be eligible for the CPP as a bachelor's or master's student. The main eligibility requirements are as follows:

• domestic student
• enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
• completing a bachelor’s or master’s program that leads to entry-to-practice in teaching, social work, nursing or midwifery
• undertaking mandatory placements.

Your mandatory placement needs to be on average 30 hours or more per week for the duration of your placement. If you are studying midwifery, you are also eligible if you are undertaking a continuity of care placement. 

As mentioned above, you also need to be currently receiving a Commonwealth income support payment OR fulfil means-testing criteria.

How to access the Commonwealth Prac Payment 

• You must be enrolled in a mandatory placement as part of your program in teaching, nursing, midwifery, or social work (from July 2025).
• Students will apply to their higher education or VET provider for payments. 

Gap Year Adventures

Flight Centre Travel Academy - Work, Study + Play Whitsundays program. Combined with the Diploma of Travel and Tourism, this 13-month program offers young people exclusive adventures with luxury resort destinations and eco-tourism experiences in the Whitsundays, including Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island, Daydream Island and more. If you would like to find out more, check out the Parents’ Guide here.

Camp America. Spend 9-12 weeks living and working at an American summer camp. Inspire others, make an impact, and  become a role model at one of the hundreds of camps we work with across the USA. Join the next Camp America Webinar on 16 September from 7pm to find out more! Learn how Camp America works, finding the right camp and the application process. We'll give you tips to make your application stand out and give a full rundown of what your Camp America Experience could look like. 

Labour Market Trends

Over the past year, employment growth has been strongest in jobs that typically require post-secondary qualifications. More than two-thirds of new jobs were in occupations linked to Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways, highlighting the growing value of practical, skills-based training.

The new May 2025 Labour Force Trending (LFT) data has been released, offering fresh insights into how Australia's employment landscape is evolving. 

Some standout trends from this release include:

• Health Care and Social Assistance continues to power ahead, with employment growing by 5.1%, adding 115,200 jobs.
• Technicians and Trades Workers remain a cornerstone of the workforce, with nearly 2 million Australians (14% of all workers) in these roles.
• Almost half of new jobs created over the past year were in occupations that typically require a VET qualification or similar experience, highlighting the growing value of practical, skills-based education.

Careers in Construction

North Queensland is undergoing significant transformation, with numerous construction projects proposed for completion between now and 2030. This surge in major construction projects is creating a wealth of job opportunities across various sectors. Here’s an overview of some of the key developments:

• Wongalee Wind Farm (Flinders Shire) is expected to generate 500 construction jobs, with long term roles in operations and maintenance
• CopperString 2.0 Transmission Line is currently under development connecting renewable energy zones, and is poised to create numerous jobs in construction and maintenance, including roles in civil engineering, electrical work and project management
• Townsville Northern Beaches Trunk Road Infrastructure Package is a $29 million development to improve traffic flow and infrastructure in the Northern beaches area. Opportunities include roles in civil construction, roadworks and drainage systems

Additionally, the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are driving a significant demand for skilled workers, with an estimated $7.1 billion allocated for venue and infrastructure development.

However, the Queensland construction industry is experiencing a significant shortfall in skilled workers, with a projected peak shortage of 54,700 in March 2026. Key roles in high demand include:

• Civil Engineers
• Concreters
• Plant Operators
• Project Managers
• Carpenters, Plumbers, and Electricians

This shortage presents substantial opportunities for job seekers in these trades.

Construction work might be a great option for students who like working with their hands or already have friends and family in the industry. But if you think construction is all physical work on building sites, think again! There are over 70 different construction careers to choose from, ranging from physical to office-based roles, or a blend of both. Whether you like design, numbers, working with people, or managing projects, there’s a construction job for you.

Key Events

For career counselling and information:

Miss Kathryn Tebble

Career Development Practitioner 

4751 7300 or ktebble1@sacc.catholic.edu.au

www.stanthonyscareers.com