Year 10 Work Experience
Work experience is an opportunity to spend time outside the classroom where you gain hands on learning of a job or area of work. It can help you decide options for year 11 and future study. It is a good idea to choose work experience in an area you enjoy or are interested in, for ideas this article can help. It also teaches you about the process of getting a job. Youth Central provide a detailed explanation into what work experience is and how it can be beneficial for a high school student.
To find work experience and opportunities for VET subjects sites such as Structured Workplace Learning are helpful resources to search positions available and within your area.
Sourcing work experience outside of coursework is a responsibility for the individual.
To find relevant opportunities, start by making a list of 10 places that are accessible to you and interesting. Call/visit and ask about opportunities. For example, “Hello, I’m enquiring about the possibility of organising a work experience placement from [date].” They will tell you what to do next… Ensure you leave a good impression when asking so they are more inclined to hire you.
Alternatively, your careers counsellor may have advice on seeking opportunities. You can make an appointment with them here (link to booking system).
Before beginning any work experience it is important that all forms and regulations are exchanges and signed between students and employers. Commonly used Work Experience Documents can be found in the links below.
- The Structured Workplace Learning Arrangement Form:
- The Structured Workplace Travel/Accommodation Arrangements Form:
For Victoria only:
Internships
Internships are similar to work experience however they are not completed in Year 10 and there is sometimes the opportunity to be paid for your work. They provide great hands-on learning, can help you decide what to study and better prepare you to land future work opportunities.
This article can help you decide if an internship is right for you.
This article explains the different types of internships.
To find relevant opportunities, start by making a list of 10 places that are accessible to you and interesting. Call/visit and ask about opportunities. For example, “Hello, I’m enquiring about the possibility of organising a work experience placement from [date].” They will tell you what to do next… Ensure you leave a good impression when asking so they are more inclined to hire you.
Sourcing internships is usually a result of your own searching. You may choose to approach an organisations directly asking about opportunities or begin searching using career websites such as the Seek, Indeed or Pedestrian TV.
Before beginning any work experience it is important that all forms and regulations are exchanges and signed between students and employers. Commonly used Work Experience Documents can be found in the links below.
Paid Employment
Many students consider working during studies to support themselves financially. It’s also a great way to build new experiences and work-ready skills. The ability to balance study and work is viewed favourably by employers as it signifies a sense of desirable attributes such as time-management, diligence and self-motivation.
Students generally opt for part time or casual work.
- Part time employees work fixed hours per week and receive the same benefits as full-time employees, including annual leave and sick leave.
- Casual employees are less likely to receive regular work and do not receive guaranteed hours. They do not receive the same benefits as full-time employees. Because of this, rates of pay are usually higher.
Australia has a wide range of industries and many employment opportunities:
- Retail - supermarkets, department and clothing stores
- Hospitality - cafes, bars, restaurants and sporting venues.
- Tourism - hotels and motels
- Agricultural - farming and fruit-picking.
- Services – call centres and administration.
- Sales and telemarketing.
- Administration or Clerical roles.
- Tutoring
If have previous work experiences from paid or volunteering opportunities related to your industry, you may even be lucky enough to be considered for industry entry-level positions.
To search for vacancies through online portals, you may start with:
Student Visas
Students holding Australian student visas can work for up to 40 hours per fortnight while courses in session, and unrestricted hours during course breaks. Go to Department of Home Affairs to confirm that your allows visa you to work.