Post School Options for Young People with a Disability or Special Need

Mining and gas jobs expos to be held in regional areas

A series of mining and gas jobs expos will be held in coastal areas with high unemployment to showcase job opportunities in the resources sector. The expos will be held in Cairns, the Wide Bay-Burnett, Sunshine Coast, Whitsunday and the Gold Coast in October. The events are part of an agreement reached by the Queensland Government and the resources sector to discuss ways to link the state’s regional jobseekers to some of the 38,000 jobs expected to be created in the resources sector between now and 2014-2015. TAFE Queensland will have a display at each expo to discuss training opportunities and Skilling Solutions Queensland staff will be on hand to conduct skills assessments and provide career advice. The expos are the first in a series of joint government and industry initiatives to match unemployed Queenslanders with jobs in the resources sector. At present thisis the only information I have on this.

Jazzworx Music Institute

Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA)

The Bond University Film and Television Awards (BUFTA) is a short film competition open to any year 11 or 12 secondary school student in Australia. Originally started in 1996, the competition has grown to become one of the most rewarding competitions in the Southern Hemisphere.

The philosophy behind BUFTA is to offer a system of recognition for today's young filmmakers. Students are encouraged to enter short films made as part of school assessments or as independent projects. There are a number of different categories for films to be entered into and winners are chosen for the most outstanding film in each category.

BUFTA Categories

Students are to enter an application in one of the following categories

• Animation
• Comedy
• Documentary
• Drama
• Experimental
• Music Video

More information

More information on this year's competition will be available after the official launch, including a fantastic resource pack for schools and filmakers, which will be on DVD and the website.

Click here for BUFTA contact details

Super Sports Day Information

University of Sunshine Coast

Open Day - Sunday 14 August

Open Day, on Sunday 14 August, is an opportunity for your students and their parents to come and discover everything that USC has on offer.

Tour the facilities, attend information sessions, speak with staff and students, and bring yourself up to date with everything happening on campus through the rest of 2011 and into 2012.

Information sessions will be held throughout the day, covering all of USC’s study areas, as well as pathway programs like Headstart, the Tertiary Preparation Pathway and the Tertiary Enabling Program, and student essentials like the admissions process, fees and financial assistance, and support services.

Download the Open Day program and plan your day to get the most out of your visit.

Visit the USC website for more information about:
• Attending information sessions• Speaking with staff and students at information displays• Campus tours• Activities and demonstrations

There's even an iPad2 up for grabs for telling us what you thought about the day. Survey forms will be located at the information booths at the event.

Headstart to Indonesian - new initiative for 2012

If your students are looking for a competitive edge in the job market they can boost their career opportunities by learning the language of Australia's closest neighbour, Indonesian.
USC’s new Headstart to Indonesian initiative will be delivered with support from the Australian Government under its National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program (NALSSP).
Through this program, students in year 11 and 12 can study two beginner Indonesian courses:
• IND110 Indonesian A
• IND111 Indonesian B

Indonesian is one of the easiest of all languages to acquire a basic proficiency, with knowledge of an Asian language giving students access to career and travel opportunities through the increasing links of trade and commerce with Australia’s key regional neighbours.

In 2012 a special scholarship is offered to those who enrol in Indonesian languages through Headstart, and are available for both students and teachers. The scholarships (60 for students, 10 for teachers) cover the $400 Headstart course tuition fee plus course materials.
 

To apply, download the 2012 Headstart guide and complete the application form. Applications for study in Semester 1 2012, close on 28 October 2011.

Headstart Program Information Evening - 7 September 2011 

Are your students interested in getting a taste for university life and preparing for their future study while still in high school? USC’s Headstart program has seen almost 700 year 11 and 12 students from across the Sunshine Coast and surrounding regions study university courses while still completing high school. We recently welcomed 47 students to campus who are participating in Headstart for Semester 2.

Now is the time for your students to start preparing for Headstart study in Semester 1, 2012 as we hope to see many more students take up the opportunity to study a university course.

An information session is being held on Wednesday 7 September for interested students and their parents from 6:00-7:30pm in Lecture Theatre 7, Building C, University of the Sunshine Coast. An optional campus tour is also running on the evening from 5:15pm departing from Building C, which will allow students to see the campus first hand. Those who have attended this session in the past, indicate that it is beneficial to planning and preparing for their Headstart studies.

We’d be grateful for your assistance in advising students and parents about the upcoming session and the opportunity available to them to study a university course on campus while still at school.

Registrations are essential and can be made online or by phoning 07 5456 5000.

New accreditations for Property Economics and Development degree

USC's property students now have an extra link with into the local industry, gaining further accrediation for their degree.

The Bachelor of Property Economics and Development has gained further recognition from the Australian Property Institute, with accreditation for the Certified Practicing Valuer certification.

USC’s Property Economics and Development program leader Dr Lucy Cradduck (pictured) said the accrediations are both great news for students and the local property industry.

“The new certifications will provide our students with more flexibility and greater career pathways and give our degree wider recognition with industry,” she said.

Graduates are also eligible for registration as:
• Certified Property Practitioner
• Certified Property Manager
• Certified Facilities Manager
• Certified Asset Manager
• Certified Development Practitioner

The degree is one of two in Queensland eligible for the new certifications, which apply to all new enrolments from 1 January this year.

Graduates can use their degree in a number of property related fields and also may become members of the API; Property Council of Australia; Urban Development Institute of Australia; Australian Institute of Urban Studies.

With high demand locally for graduates, they also have excellent job outcomes across Australia and internationally as property is one of the fastest growing service sectors in the country.

Australian Defence Force Academy Open Day

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is holding its annual University Open Day. This is a chance for students and parents to see a range of exciting military displays and learn everything they need to know about life at ADFA.

Defence Force Recruiting and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) staff will be available to provide course and careers advice to potential candidates and their families.

Navy Midshipmen, Army and Air Force Officer Cadets will be available to discuss their life at ADFA and conduct personalised tours. They can give you a first-hand account of their military and academic studies and experience.

Date: Saturday 27 August, 2011

Time: 9.00am to 4.00pm

Where: Northcott Drive Campbell,

For more information on ADFA, visit these websites:ADFA Open Day
ADFA on DefenceJobs
ADFA First Six Weeks Video

University places for 2012 are still available. We encourage you to apply now. Call 13 19 01 or visit www.defencejobs.gov.au/adfa

Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) News

Year 12s can apply from 1 August

QTAC tertiary study applications can be submitted from 1 August. Current Year 12 students can lodge their QTAC application for up to six different courses across 17 tertiary education providers via the Twelve To Tertiary (TTT) service at www.qtac.edu.au.

QIBT opens on Gold Coast in 2012

The Queensland Institute of Business and Technology will open on the Griffith University Gold Coast campus in February 2012, offering a range of diploma and diploma/degree-pathway programs including commerce and business, engineering, hotel management, foundation studies, and an associate degree.

New features in the QTAC Guide

Section 5: Institutions with Self-Managed Admissions

The QTAC Guide provides information on tertiary courses, application procedures and pathways to tertiary study. Traditionally, this information has been presented for all institutions that have QTAC manage their admissions (ie all universities in Qld and northern NSW, TAFE Qld, Southbank Institute of Technology, and selected colleges).

For the first time this year, the QTAC Guide also provides information about tertiary study options at institutions that manage their own admissions. This new information will give applicants the opportunity to consider a broader range of study options.

The tertiary education providers described in Section5 of the QTAC Guide are:

• Australian College of Applied Psychology;
• Australian College of Sports Therapy;
• Bellevue Beauty;
• Building Trades Australia;
• Endeavour
• College of Natural Health;
• JMC Academy; and
• JSchool.

Importantly, students should note that applications and offers for these courses are handled by the institutions, not QTAC. More specifically, applications for Endeavour College of Natural Health are now taken directly by the college.

Visit www.qtac.edu.au for:

• TTT Instructions

• demonstration version of the online application

• TTT training movie - available late July

Before applying, have ready your:

• Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) or equivalent IB or interstate student number. (You can apply without your LUI if you supply sufficient identifying  information)

• four-digit PIN (initially set to the day and month of your birth, eg 4 May = 0405)

• list of QTAC course preferences, up to six.

TTT application processing charge

The TTT application processing charge is $32. Please note that you can pay by credit card when you apply, or you can pay later using BPAY.

Ordering preferences

Please note the following about selecting and ordering preferences:

• Applicants can apply for courses starting in semester 3, 2011, semester 1, 2012 and semester 2, 2012 on one QTAC application.

• Courses commencing semester 3, 2011 are generally not available to current Year 12 students as the courses start before Year 12 studies are completed.

• Up to six course preferences can be listed. It is recommended that ideal, realistic and ‘back-up plan’ courses are included.

• Course preferences should be listed according to their major offer round dates. (Major offer round dates are listed against each course in the QTAC Guide and on the QTAC website.) This means that courses whose major offer round is earlier need to be listed as higher preferences than those whose major offer

round is later. For example, a course with a major offer round in December 2011 needs to be listed as a higher preference than a course with a major offer round in January 2012.

• When an offer is made in one round, applicants have the option to respond to their offer on a ‘conditional basis’. They can then rearrange their preferences and be considered for higher, more preferred courses in a subsequent offer round.

For further information about ordering preferences, including examples, see the QTAC Guide, page 10, or the QTAC website.

Key dates

Monday, 1 August

Applications open

Friday, 30 September

Due date for on-time applications

Thursday, 15 December

Major offer round for Bond University courses and other selected creative and performing arts courses that begin in semester 1, 2012

Friday, 16 December

Qld Year 12 results mailed by QSA

Tuesday, 20 December

Due date to apply or submit documentation for 12

January offer round

Thursday, 22 December

Due date to respond to a 15 December offer

Wednesday, 28 December

Qld Year 12 students without an OP who have lodged a QTAC application can find out their OP ineligible rank through the Current Applicant online service. Non applicants can phone QTAC

Thursday, 5 January

Final date to change preferences for the 12 January

offer round

Thursday, 12 January (from 1am)

Find out if you have been offered a place and respond to an offer using the Current Applicant online service

Friday, 20 January

Due date to respond to a January offer

Thursday, 2 February

Final date to change preferences for the 9 February

offer round

Thursday, 9 February (from 1am)

Find out if you have been offered a place and respond to an offer using the Current Applicant online service

QTAC may contact you about your application

QTAC may contact you for various reasons, for example, to advise that:

• further documentation is required to assess your application

• your preferences are not ordered correctly for consideration in an upcoming offer round

• an offer has been made to you

• you have not responded to an offer and as such the offer may lapse

Each year problems arise when students move and do not notify QTAC of their current contact details. This is particularly the case where boarders use the school address in their application and then return home or go on vacation and forget to notify QTAC.

Likewise, email accounts that terminate at the end of the school year are not suitable. You should provide your personal email address for QTAC contact purposes. If you provide a mobile phone number, QTAC may also SMS you about your application.

If address and contact details change during the admissions period, you can update your details.

International students completing an Australian Year 12 qualification can apply through QTAC.

QTAC ensures that tertiary institutions are made aware of applications made by international students. Please note that offers to international students are made directly by the relevant institution, not QTAC. Further, entry requirements, study costs and offer dates for international students differ from those for domestic students. Prospective international applicants should contact the institution for more information.

TAFE Queensland and Southbank Instituteof Technology course fees

TAFE Qld and Southbank Institute of Technology course costs will be available from 26 September via the QTAC website, or contact the institute directly.

Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program financially assists students on low incomes. Scholarships include:

• Student Start-up Scholarships and Relocation Scholarships. Centrelink will automatically pay these scholarships to eligible students.

• Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships, Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships, and Indigenous Access Scholarships. Applicants must apply through the university for these scholarships.

For more information, visit www.centrelink.gov.au or www.goingtouni.gov.au.

Institution scholarships

Many tertiary institutions offer sporting, academic and other equity scholarships. Applicants must apply through the tertiary institution for these scholarships.

For more information, contact the institution you wish to attend.

Bonus rank schemes

There are Bonus Rank Schemes for current Year 12 students applying to commence tertiary study in 2012 at: Australian Catholic University; Griffith University; Queensland University of Technology; Southern Cross University; The University of Queensland; University of Southern Queensland.

Bonus ranks may be awarded for successful completion of specific Queensland Year 12 subjects such as Languages other than English (LOTE) and Maths C, and some university-level subjects.

• Australian Catholic University also awards bonus points for a range of other Queensland Year 12 subjects relevant to the course applied for.

• Queensland University of Technology also awards bonus ranks for successful completion of the Queensland Year 12 subject Engineering Technology, for applicants to QUT’s Bachelor of Engineering.

Applicants may be awarded a combination of bonus ranks. The maximum number of bonus ranks awarded depends on the institution.

There is no separate application process for these bonus rank schemes. The points are applied automatically to the student’s QTAC application. For more information, visit www.qtac.edu.au/Schools/BonusRankSchemes.html.

Educational Access Scheme

QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS) replaces Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage. QTAC’s EAS takes into account circumstances beyond your control that have affected your level of academic achievement when assessing an application for tertiary entrance. These circumstances may relate to: disrupted schooling; home environment and responsibilities; English language difficulties; personal illness/disability; refugee status; school environment; and financial hardship.

In the first instance you should seek compensation for these circumstances through your school. Because QTAC’s EAS can only increase your competitiveness for tertiary entrance, it will not change your OP or other school results.

You can apply for EAS via your QTAC tertiary study application. You will need to provide QTAC with documents that support your case, including an Educational Support Statement from your school. More information about the documentation required is available on the QTAC website.

Alternative ways to meet prerequisites

If you do not satisfy the minimum entry requirements for a course, your application for that course is generally not considered further, irrespective of the strength of your OP or QTAC selection rank. Commonly, minimum entry requirements include Year 12 subject prerequisites. (Prerequisites are listed against each course entry in the QTAC Guide and on the QTAC website.)

If you have not satisfied subject prerequisites for a course through your Year 12 studies, you should check with the institution offering the course for alternative ways to meet the prerequisite. A summary of alternative ways to meet the English subject prerequisite, including successful results in bridging subjects or the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), is found on page 16 of the QTAC Guide and on the QTAC website.

Likewise, most institutions accept various ways to meet a maths prerequisite. For example:

• The ‘Maths B (4,SA)’ prerequisite may be satisfied by: a Sound Achievement in Maths C over four semesters; or a combination of a Sound Achievement in Maths B over two semesters and a sound achievement in Maths C over two semesters.

• The ‘Maths A (4,SA)’ prerequisite may be satisfied by a combination of Sound Achievements in Maths A and Low Achievements in Maths B and C.

• Maths prerequisites may also be satisfied by sitting the STAT or completing bridging subjects.

As institutions differ in regards to acceptable ways to satisfy prerequisites, applicants are always encouraged to seek advice directly from the institution.

The University of Queensland

There’s more to discover at UQ Open Day

UQ Open Day is all about your students! It’s about student experiences and choices to help them reach their full potential. Open Day is a great opportunity to meet university staff, attend presentations on study areas and careers, tour the campus, libraries and museums and take part in a range of fun activities. There’s more to discover at UQ Open Day! To make a personalised itinerary click click here.

St Lucia campus: Sunday 7 August (9am – 3pm)

Gatton campus: Sunday 21 August (9.30am – 3pm)

Ipswich campus: Wednesday 24 August (2.30pm – 6.30pm)

Phone: (07) 3346 1926

Web: youruq.com/openday

UQ Pharmacy opens its doors

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the UQ Pharmacy Open Day on Sunday, 28 August from 10am to 1pm. The event will showcase the fantastic new facilities at the Pharmacy Australia Centre of Excellence (PACE), while giving senior students, parents, guidance officers and teachers the opportunity to sample a day in the life of a pharmacy student. Registration for the event is essential!

For information, contact Stephanie Dunn:

Phone: (07) 3346 1926

Email: s.dunn@uq.edu.au

Web: uq.edu.au/pharmacy/openday

Experience Agriculture

Alongside your class, experience a jam-packed day of interactive activities in the fields of Agriculture, Agribusiness, Animals, Plant Science, the Environment and Veterinary Science. Experience Agriculture is a free, one-day event held on Thursday 8 September at the Gatton Campus for students in years 10-12. The program provides students with an exclusive sneak peak at the range of study options available at UQ and will open their eyes to exciting and diverse career opportunities.

Make every experience count. Come along and live a day in the life of a uni student.

For further information or to register, contact Karli Kollegger:

Phone: (07) 5460 1279

Email: k.kolleger@uq.edu.au

Web: uq.edu.au/gatton/index-include.html

2012: New Dual Nutrition and Dietetics Program

We are delighted to announce a new dual degree option for students interested in a career as a dietician and/or nutritionist, to be offered from Semester 1, 2012 at UQ’s St Lucia campus.

The Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences / Master of Dietetics Studies* can be completed in just 4.5 years (F/T). The advantage of this dual degree is that it guarantees students a place in a UQ Master of Dietetics Studies while they complete their undergraduate degree.

The program requires English as a pre-requisite plus one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics. For entry to the Master of Dietetics Studies, students must achieve a GPA of 5.0 in the undergraduate program. The program will prepare graduates for a wide range of professions such as clinical dietician, community and public health nutritionist and food industry dietician.

Master of Dietetics Studies students will undertake extensive professional practice in a health care facility to gain practical “hands-on” experience in the role of a dietician.

*Subject to final approval.

For information, contact UQ’s School of Human Movement Studies

Phone: (07) 3365 6240

Email: enquiries@hms.uq.edu.au

Web: hms.uq.edu.au/dual-nutrition

Academic Scholarships now open!

Year 12 students can apply now for a UQ Academic Scholarship. High-achieving students are encouraged to apply via the online application form available on UQ’s Undergraduate Scholarships website. Over 300 Academic Scholarships will be awarded. Applications (with supporting documentation) close Monday 31 October and successful students will be notified within 1 week of the release of Year 12 results.

For information or to apply online:

Phone: (07) 3365 7113

Email: ugscholarships@uq.edu.au

Web: uq.edu.au/scholarships

Need help getting into University?

The UQ-Link Access program is designed for students who have been educationally disadvantaged because of their financial circumstances. Approved students will receive 5 bonus points to assist with entry to their chosen UQ program, as well as a $500 Start-up Bursary once they enrol at UQ. Applications close Monday 31 October. Students approved for entry under the UQ-Link Access scheme will be notified by the end of November. A limited number of UQ-Link Access Scholarships valued at $3000 per year for up to 4 years are also available.

For information or to apply online:

Phone: (07) 3365 7113

Email: uqlink@uq.edu.au

Web: uq.edu.au/scholarships

New Video makes the Renting process easier

A new informational video by UQ Accommodation Services is helping to make the often complicated process of renting simpler.

The video, Renting Made Easy, covers the common problems people encounter when renting a house, including how to find somewhere to live, sharing a property with other tenants, legal issues associated with renting and what happens when it is time to move out.

Watch the video here: accommodation.uq.edu.au/renting-made-easy

For information, contact Andri van Zyl:

Email: andri.vanzyl@uq.edu.au

UQ Discovery Tour - you could win $10,000 to explore the world

UQ staff, students and graduates are doing amazing things all over the planet. Discover some of these extraordinary stories and you could win $10,000 worth of travel.

You could embark on the tour of a lifetime thanks to UQ. Visit our Facebook page, test your knowledge of the world and you could be a winner.

Entries close on Friday 26 August. Don't miss your chance to win!

Visit facebook.com/uniofQLD

*Terms and conditions apply - visit facebook.com/uniofQLD for full details. Only open to QLD residents aged 16-21. Ends 5pm AEST 26/8/11

UQ Young Scholars Program – Application Reminder

UQ’s Young Scholars Program (YSP) provides high achieving secondary school students, who will be in Year 12 in 2012, with an opportunity to discover, learn and engage with UQ's academic community and like-minded students from across Queensland. Designed to nurture and develop future leaders, the Program also presents students with a unique opportunity for academic extension and enrichment.

Interested students are required to complete an online application form and submit hard copy supporting documentation to UQ by post.

Completed applications must be received by UQ by 5pm Friday, 12 August.

For information, contact Kim Lyons:

Phone: (07) 3346 9746

Email: youngscholars@uq.edu.au

Web: uq.edu.au/youngscholars

Engineering Careers Evening

Senior students are invited to discover more about UQ Engineering at our annual careers evening being held at the UQ St Lucia campus on Thursday 18 August.

Find out what engineering involves, areas of specialisation and how UQ engineering provides students with the best foundation for a career in engineering.

For information, contact Izzy Koh:

Date: Thursday 18 August

Time: 5.30pm – 8pm

Location: Hawken Engineering Building (50), UQ St Lucia campus Parking – available on Level 3 of the Conifer Knoll car park.

For further information, visit: engineering.uq.edu.au/info-session

Scholarships for ICT students

In view of a growing shortage of ICT graduates, UQ and industry partners are continuing an initiative to encourage and enable school-leavers to join UQ programs leading to careers in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry. ICT Enabling Scholarships, to the value of $3000 each, are awarded to students based on their year 12 results. To be eligible to apply for an ICT Enabling Scholarship, students must apply for a place in the Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Multimedia Design or Bachelor of Engineering (Software or Electrical & Computer).

Applications for the 2012 round are now open.

For information, contact Charly Camerer:

Phone: (07) 3365 3853

Email: scholarships@eait.uq.edu.au

Web: uq.edu.au/ict/scholarships