September 1, 2009     The Minister for Education, Bronwyn Pike, today announced that an amendment to the Education and Training Reform Act will lift the minimum school leaving age from 16 to 17.

Ms Pike said that from January next year all Victorian students will be required to complete Year 10 and remain in some form of education, training or employment until the age of 17.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to give our young people opportunity, choice, a modern education and equipping them with the life skills they need for jobs of the future,” Ms Pike said.

“Giving our students a good education opens them to options that suit their individual aspirations and with a platform to pursue their dreams.

“Research shows that young people who stay in education and training significantly boost their career prospects and have a better chance of experiencing all the benefits that come with a good education.

“The amendment is aimed at setting a higher bar for the community, not punishing school leavers. This is not a punitive approach and it supports the many programs already in place to support early school leavers.”

“We have some fantastic examples of vocational programs that are inspiring students to broaden their horizons and become job-ready while still at school,” Ms Pike said.

In Victoria, students can choose from a range of academic and applied learning options, including the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). Students can also undertake the popular Vocational Education And Training (VET) in Schools program as part of their VCE or VCAL.
 

 “Victorian students are embracing these options, with more students staying on to complete year 12 or its equivalent,” Ms Pike said.

In 2008, the percentage of young people who had completed year 12 or equivalent rose to 88.7 per cent – up from 81.8 per cent in 2000, an increase of 6.9% per cent.

    
All States and Territories will next year implement the National Youth Participation Requirement, which includes a mandatory requirement for students to complete Year 10 or an equivalent and be in some form of education, training or employment until the age of 17.

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