Education, training and employment

Finishing high school

If you're turning 18 and still finishing high school, your carer can request a post care education financial support payment.  

This money helps your carer to continue to support you so you can concentrate on completing your HSC or equivalent. 

Youth Development Scholarships

Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides scholarships to students in out-of-home care who are enrolled in education or training. This scholarship can help with school expenses and other educational support services. 

To be eligible you must be: 

• studying in year 10, 11 or 12 in NSW and, 

• living in social housing or in OOHC. 

To learn more about these scholarships, see Youth Development Scholarships. 

Traineeship and apprenticeships with Training Services NSW 

If you’re looking at doing a traineeship or apprenticeship, NSW Education provides opportunities through the Training Services NSW program. 

The program provides vocational education and training and gives you practical skills for when you get a job.  

Training Services NSW has over 500 apprenticeships and traineeships to choose from.  

For more information about how to apply and what you need to prepare, see NSW Education Department’s Apprenticeships and Traineeships and Training Services NSW. 

Getting a diploma with TAFE NSW

If you’re between 15 to 30 years, you may be eligible for a  Smart and Skilled Fee-Free Scholarship .  

If you’re eligible, you can choose from more than 580 qualifications from Certificate 1 to Certificate 4. These include apprenticeships and traineeships through Fee-free training. 

Every year TAFE awards many different scholarships. For more information, see  TAFE NSW Scholarships .  

You can find more information about courses and how to apply by attending a TAFE Open Day. To find your local TAFE see TAFE NSW locations.

Going to university

Support is available if you want to go to university. 

The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) can increase the course selection rank (ATAR) of applicants who are eligible for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS). The EAS helps students who have been in OOHC at any time in their life and who may have had their studies and schooling impacted. 

Increasing your ATAR makes you more competitive for an offer of admission to university. 

You can also apply for an Equity Scholarship, which helps with some of the costs of university.

Talk to your caseworker about supporting documents you may need for your application and ask them to make it a part of your leaving care plan.   

University scholarships and programs in Sydney

The following scholarships can support your studies and help you achieve the goals in your leaving care plan. 

Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Western Sydney University (WSU) - Out-of-Home Care Pathways Scholarship

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is funding scholarship placements at Western Sydney University (WSU) for young people with a care experience. The scholarship is valued at $7,500 per year for up to four years. 

Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and Charles Sturt University (CSU) - Stronger Communities Scholarship

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is funding scholarship placements at Charles Sturt University (CSU) for young people with a care experience. The scholarship is valued at $9,500 per year for three years of study. 

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Jumbunna Pathways Program

The Jumbunna Pathways Program is offered to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). It gives students the opportunity to show their ability to study in higher education (such as university and TAFE) through their previous education, work experience and home life.

Finding a job

There are rules about what age and what hours you can work in NSW. You should talk to your carer, caseworker, or support worker about your options.  

When you create your leaving care plan, you should tell your caseworker if you’re planning on getting a job. They can link you to support and help you with what you need to get started. 

Before you start looking for a job think about: 

• What kind of work am I interested in? 
• How often would I like to work? 
• How far am I willing to travel to work? 
• How will I get to work ? 

Once you’re ready to start your job search you should have: 

• a resume 
• professional references 
• a tax file number 
• a plan to manage your social life and education.  

For more information about young people in the workforce, see Youth Law Australia’s When can I start working? 

Working with a Youth Justice record

If you have a Youth Justice record, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a job. Your Youth Justice officer should support you with what you need to find a job. 

You can talk to Legal Aid which is a free legal service that can advise you on your best options for employment. This can be different depending on your record.

In some cases, when you're under 16 years, your Youth Justice record won’t be recorded on your criminal record.  In some jobs, you may have to complete a Working with Children Check or Police Check that needs to be completed before you can be employed.