School’s out: 3 ways to get started after Year 12

Estimated reading time
 5 min

In this article

• Study after school to get the skills you need for your industry
• Fund a fun adventure in a different country
• Dive right into work to get some experience and earn an income

You’ve survived the final Year 12 exams, said ‘see ya’ to your high school and are ready to conquer the world – congrats!

But what do you actually want to do now that school is done and dusted? Luckily, there are plenty of different pathways you can take now that you’ve finished high school. 

Study up (again)

Some school leavers do further study right after high school to unlock an ideal career path in an industry that interests them. For example, if you want to turn your passion for gaming into a career, then there are plenty of courses for that. If you had your heart set on a specific industry like healthcare or science or law, many entry level jobs come with minimum study requirements, such as getting a bachelor’s degree.

But if you’re not exactly sure what area you want to work in, studying can help you explore your passions until you click with a particular field. 

The best part is that there are five different government schemes to support you and your post-school study:

• You can use HECS-HELP to pay for some of your study if you’re studying in a commonwealth supported place (where the government pays part of your fees).
• If you’re considering a uni that doesn’t get government funding, then you can use FEE-HELP to pay your way.
• SA-HELP exists to cover some of the costs of student services and amenities, like childcare or career advice.
• If you want to study abroad, then OS-HELP can help you pay some of the costs.
• And if you want to do a start-up course, then you can use STARTUP-HELP to help cover the cost.

Go on a globe-trotting adventure

Deferring your studies and taking a gap year to explore the world is another popular post-school pathway, but it all depends on your finances. If sightseeing tickles your fancy, you could set a savings goal and name your new savings account whatever you want – ‘European Escape’, ‘American Road Trip’ or wherever you plan on travelling to. 

No matter if you want to fly solo or go on a tour with other folks, planning your travel budget in advance will be a game changer. It allows you to work out how much you can spend (and where) while also having a little emergency buffer just in case.

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  Quick tip:

Travelling during the off-season might land you a bargain for your expedition. Flights, accommodation and tourist attractions in certain countries can be cheaper if you plan your trip in the quieter months.

Did you know you can combine travel and work? Harvest work is a unique opportunity to explore different parts of Australia while picking some of the freshest fruits you’ll ever see (and taste!). You can also work overseas in a number of roles, like becoming an English teacher, providing childcare services or working on a cruise ship.

Discover the world of work

Starting work after you’ve finished high school can be a great way to get some career experience under your belt (and on your resume). The best part is that there are plenty of different working options out there. You can work part-time while doing some extra study. Or you might take a gap year and focus on finding your first job post-school – the choice is entirely yours.

Working is also a fantastic way to do a vibe check of the industry you want to work in before committing to a set career path. Plus, you’ll start earning money.

   Quick money tips to get you started after the first pay check

• Build the ultimate budget to help balance your expenses and income. Trust us on this one.
• If you have a big goal in mind, like buying a fancy car or cute apartment, you can start saving for it one dollar at a time. Our goal-setting tool can make this a whole lot easier.
• Start your super early and watch your retirement fund snowball into something huge. Thanks compound interest!