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The Education and Training Directorate
delivers high quality education services through government schools; registers non government schools; and administers vocational education and training in the ACT.

Communiqué on Education Requirements for Young People and the ACT Youth Commitment

Major Changes to the Education Requirements

There has been a major change to education requirements for young people in the ACT with a recent amendment to the Education Act 2004.

Students and their parents need to be aware of their new education responsibilities.

The previous school leaving age of 15 no longer applies. From 1 January 2010, young people will be required to remain in education until achieving year 10 and then to participate full-time in education, training or employment after Year 10 until completing Year 12 or equivalent, or reaching age 17, whichever occurs first.

This reform will lead to enhanced educational opportunities for every ACT school student leading to improved employment capacity and prospects, and increased earning potential. The implementation of the reform will require a coordinated response from ACT agencies to ensure that the mandatory requirements are supported by an effective system so that every young person receives the support they need, when they need it.

The majority of young people will continue in education until completing Year 12 or equivalent with an education provider identified under the legislation – and for these students and their families things should remain largely unchanged.

For some young people, however, their preferred option may lie in an alternative pathway. This may be choosing to undertake work-related training or employment. The parents of these students will need to seek an Approval Statement through the ACT Department of Education and Training to ensure such training or employment meets the Department’s guidelines.

The ACT Government recognises that some aspects of the legislative changes are significant. To that end consultation and discussions have been occurring across agencies to ensure that the needs and interests of young people continue to be met.

On 29 October 2009 stakeholders from the various education sectors (public schools, non-government schools, Canberra Institute of Technology, Registered Training Organisations, Community organisations, employers, parents, young people and relevant government and non-government agencies) met to discuss the best way to meet the needs of ACT young people and develop the ACT Youth Commitment, which will underpin the legislative changes.

Under the Youth Commitment all agencies that serve young people will work together to ensure that none are lost from education, training or employment. The Youth Commitment will ensure that the needs of each young person are at the heart of agency activities. If a student moves from school to further education and training or work, they will continue to be accounted for, cared for and supported.

Under the Youth Commitment it will be important to ensure appropriate tracking by agencies of young people under their responsibility, and this includes having an understanding of what is needed to support each individual. If a young person moves from one agency or sector to another, the responsibility of the agency extends to the effective transfer of that young person.

The ACT is looking to enhance existing career and transition approaches to help young people manage their journey through school and the transition from school to further education, training or a job. Part of the approach is to encourage all Year 10 students to develop their own personal pathways and transition plan while in high school. This plan would then travel with the young person from year 10 with them to college, or into training or employment.

The steering group representing all interested parties and chaired by Dr Jim Watterston, Chief Executive of the ACT Department of Education and Training, encourages student, parent or community feedback on the Youth Commitment, particularly in relation to suggestions on how to support students and families through the transition from school to the outside world.

Work around the development of the ACT Youth Commitment is continuing. Further communiqués will be provided as important milestones are reached.

Anyone wishing to or learn more about the ACT Youth Commitment, or to provide input to its development, or learn more about the changes to the education requirements, are encouraged to visit the ACT Department of Education and Training website www.det.act.gov.au, email ACTYouthCommitment@act.gov.au or phone (02) 6205 2254.