Heading towards
the holidays.
Here is what deserves your attention.
I hope exams have gone well and you've had a chance to catch your breath.
As we head towards the holidays, I wanted to send through a quick Careers update. There are a number of opportunities opening over the next few weeks, so below is a summary of what deserves your attention right now.
Remember, you don't need to do everything at once. Small, consistent actions throughout the year make this process much more manageable. If you're unsure about a course, university, pathway or application, book a meeting and we can work through it together.
Short Courses · end of year program returns.
One opportunity I am particularly excited to bring back is our Short Course Program at the conclusion of the HSC. In previous years, students have completed qualifications including Barista Training, RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol), RCG (Responsible Conduct of Gambling) and First Aid and CPR.
These qualifications can significantly increase your employment opportunities over the summer holidays and throughout university, while giving you valuable workplace skills and nationally recognised certifications.
Completing the EOI does not commit you. It simply helps gauge interest so we can organise providers.
Your Plan A and Plan B · apply to at least one.
Early entry isn't simply a backup plan. For many students, it becomes their first university offer, providing certainty before the HSC even begins.
Receiving a conditional offer before you sit your HSC exams can remove an enormous amount of pressure, allowing you to walk into the exam period with greater confidence, knowing you already have an exciting opportunity waiting for you.
My advice is simple: submit at least one early entry application this term. Keep your options open, give yourself every opportunity, and let your Year 11 results, experiences and personal qualities work alongside your HSC results.
If UOW is on your radar, now is the time to take a look at their Early Admission program.
Unlike many university applications, this isn't just about your ATAR. UOW considers your Year 11 results alongside your responses to four short questions that give you the opportunity to share more about who you are as a learner and what motivates you.
The questions focus on:
- Academic readiness
- Motivation and passion
- Communication and collaboration
- Planning and persistence
Think of this as your chance to tell your story. What have you been involved in? What have you learnt through your experiences? How have you demonstrated resilience, commitment or leadership? This is where your LEAVERS Passport and the experiences you've built really start to come to life.
Applications close 8 August. Give yourself time to put together a strong response to each area.
Learn more and applyBased on your Year 11 results. Open to all domestic Year 12 students. Most undergraduate degrees available. You can include short personal statements about your circumstances and motivation. Offers released as early as September.
Applications open nowBased on your Year 11 subject results, not your ATAR. Multiple offer rounds between September and January. Free to apply. You can apply now using Year 11 results and receive a conditional offer well before your exams.
Applications open nowRecognises more than academic results. Considers Year 11 results, school reports and your responses to personal questions about your values, goals and experiences. Scholarships valued at $20,000 available. Applications close 1 December.
Applications open nowCombines Year 11 results with demonstrated initiative through sport, volunteering, part-time work or leadership. A school referee is required. Up to five course preferences. 20 scholarships awarded annually. Round 1 closes 25 July.
Round 1 closes 25 JulyTorrens does not use ATAR as its primary entry requirement (except for Nursing, which requires a minimum of 60). Their Early Entry Program takes less than 10 minutes to complete and you receive a conditional offer within 10 business days. Available for Business, Digital Technology, Design and Creative Technology, Health and Hospitality.
Apply between April and August. Conditional offers released in September.
Not sure which program suits you? Come and see me. Book a meeting →
UCAT Mock Exam · Wednesday 24 June, 12:40pm.
For those preparing to sit the UCAT over the holidays, we will be running one final online mock exam on Wednesday 24 June at 12:40pm. This is a full-length practice exam under timed conditions, a great opportunity to prepare before testing begins.
A separate email with further details has been sent directly to Medicine Pathway students. Check your inbox.
Applications · what needs your attention now.
Beyond your ATAR, there are a number of opportunities available that recognise your achievements, experiences and circumstances throughout Years 11 and 12. Understanding these now can make a significant difference to your university options later in the year.
While each serves a different purpose, they all have one thing in common. They require you to be informed and proactive. Don't assume they don't apply to you. Take the time to explore each one and understand what opportunities may be available.
Adjustment factors recognise aspects of your educational journey that universities value: the HSC subjects you studied, where you live, or exceptional achievements in sport, leadership and the creative arts. They are used to calculate your selection rank, which may be higher than your raw ATAR.
EAS is UAC's equity pathway for students who have experienced circumstances that affected their study. Qualifying adds adjustment factors to your selection rank and can unlock equity scholarships.
Categories include financial hardship, disability or medical conditions, disrupted schooling, English as a second language, rural and isolated study, and more. Many students who qualify don't apply simply because they don't know about it.
It takes time to gather supporting documentation. Start now, not in September.
Internal deadline 30 SeptemberAdjustment factors can increase your selection rank above your raw ATAR. There are four categories, and you may qualify for more than one.
Area Adjustment Factors: these apply based on where your school is located. As a Caringbah High School student, you may be eligible for up to 5 points at Western Sydney University and 3 points at UOW as a catchment area school. These points are added directly to your selection rank and can make a real difference to your course options.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders: for students with exceptional achievement in sport, creative arts or leadership at state or national level.
Subject Adjustment Factors: universities add points for studying particular HSC subjects that align with your chosen degree.
EAS (Educational Access Scheme): for students whose study has been affected by circumstances outside their control. This is the most commonly missed adjustment. Many students who qualify don't apply because they don't know they're eligible.
Explore all adjustment factors at UAC
Apply through UACMany universities run their own early entry programs, separate from UAC. They look at a combination of your results, a personal statement, sometimes an interview, and your overall engagement and achievement.
Strong programs currently open include WSU True Reward, Notre Dame Young Achievers, University of Canberra and UNE Early Entry. Each is different. Research the ones that match your preferred university and note their deadlines now.
See all early entry programs →
Deadlines vary by universityScholarships fall into three categories: university-funded (merit, equity, faculty awards), donor-funded (established by private individuals, often less competitive) and external scholarships from industry bodies and government.
The students who secure scholarships start researching before offers arrive. Browse the portals at your preferred universities now, find two or three worth pursuing, and note their opening and closing dates.
Start browsing nowEven if you don't think these apply to you, it's worth spending a few minutes understanding what is available. Many students are surprised by the number of opportunities they are eligible for.
- Set up your UAC account if you haven't already
- Early Entry: research programs at your preferred universities and note their deadlines
- Educational Access Scheme (EAS): check your eligibility and start gathering documentation. Internal deadline 30 September.
- Adjustment Factors: understand what's available and whether you qualify
- Elite Athletes and Performers: if this applies to you, explore the scheme through UAC
- Register for at least one open day this holidays or early Term 3
- Update your LEAVERS Passport with this term's experiences
- Book a meeting if anything above feels unclear
Open Days · coming up this holidays and Term 3.
Visiting a campus before you commit to three years there changes how you feel about your preferences. Getting a sense of the environment, the culture and the people around you is something you simply cannot get from a website. Register early as popular sessions and faculty tours fill quickly.
- 27 JunUniversity of Wollongong Open Day · Wollongong Campus
- 5 JulWestern Sydney University Open Day · Parramatta South, 10am to 4pm
- 15 AugMacquarie University Open Day
- 29 AugUniversity of Sydney Open Day
- 29 AugUTS Open Day
- 5 SepUNSW Open Day
Full list → UAC Open Days · Careers Calendar
Co-op Career Chats · hear from people who've done it.
The UNSW Co-op Program is hosting three free online Career Chat evenings at the start of Term 3. Hear directly from industry leaders, alumni and current Co-op scholars across Business, Engineering and Technology. These aren't information sessions. They are real conversations about real careers from people who have walked a similar road.
If you are considering the Co-op program, attending one of these before you apply is one of the most valuable things you can do. The students who know the program deeply are the ones who stand out in applications and interviews.
- 30 Jun · 6pmUNSW Co-op Career Chat: Business
- 1 Jul · 6pmUNSW Co-op Career Chat: Engineering
- 2 Jul · 6pmUNSW Co-op Career Chat: Technology
The UNSW Co-op Program just refreshed its approach to mentoring after 10 years, offering more flexible and impactful experiences from deeper industry engagement to more strategically timed support. Read the full article to understand what the program actually stands for.
A note from Mrs Poppett: In a previous job interview I read the CEO's book before walking in the door. It shaped every conversation I had in that room and yes, I got the job. Know your program deeply. It shows.
Read the article- 17 Jun · 5:30pmCuriosities Live: When AI does the homework, with Eddie Woo · UTS Central and Zoom
- 23 Jun · 5pmUSYD MySydney Entry and Scholarship Scheme Webinar
- 24 Jun · 4pmUSYD: Study and Career Options in Occupational Therapy
- 30 Jun · 6pmNotre Dame Early Offer Info Session · Broadway Campus
- 14 Jul · In personUNSW Portfolio Entry Information Session · On campus
- 15 Jul · OnlineUNSW Portfolio Entry Information Evening · Via Zoom
All events → Careers Calendar
Full list → Key Dates 2026 · Year 12 Checklist
Your story,
beyond the ATAR.
The term has been full. Aspiration Series, Industry Insight Night, UCAT workshops, meetings and conversations. Every one of those counts. Make sure it is captured in your LEAVERS Passport before the term ends.
Update your LEAVERS Passport →"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."Mark Twain