Recommendation 7.5 – Careers guidance and transition support services

Australian Capital Territory

Response: Accept
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

The ACT Education Directorate has introduced a new Inclusion Transition and Careers Coach role, developing work related curriculum, professional learning on employment pathways, and establishing employment options supported by the NDIS.

ACT government response July 2024

The Inclusive Education: A Disability Inclusion Strategy for ACT Public Schools 2024-2034 and First Action Plan 2024-2026 commit to several actions to improve careers guidance and transition support services for students with disability, including the introduction of a new Inclusion Transition and Careers Coach role, developing work related curriculum, professional learning on employment pathways, and establishing employment options supported by the NDIS. 

In 2021, the ACT Government also established the Head Start program, a tailored Australian School-based Apprenticeship initiative for ACT public school students. In 2023, five Head Start places were prioritised for students with disability. In addition, the ACT Disability Strategy 2024-2033 First Action Plan 2024-2026 commits to investigate options to deliver additional supported work experience programs for students with disability in years 10, 11 and 12.

New South Wales

Response: Accept in part
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

NSW Department of Education is implementing this recommendation by building workforce capability. This includes providing training and professional development on pathways planning for students with disabilities to careers and transition advisers, including itinerant support teachers’ transition.

 All schools with enrolments in Years 9-12 are funded to support student transition programs through the School to Work program. This includes students with disabilities enrolled in Schools for Specific Purposes (SSPs) and students enrolled in support units in mainstream schools.

 Structured workplace learning is provided for students with disabilities. Access to participate in structured work experiences enables students with disabilities to explore industries, develop skills and build networks leading to paid employment. In some cases, this includes School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs), and access to further training.

 Further work is underway to provide students with disability access to comprehensive and consolidated information and emerging careers and pathways information through a digital resource hub, including an online Student Pathways Plan. 

The department works with specialist internal and external partners when developing programs and resources.

NSW government response July 2024

The NSW Government supports a consistent approach to supporting students as they transition from school to post school options. 

Given that the post-school landscape can be complex, with numerous training organisations and universities nationwide, the NSW Government is working to ensure a consistent approach to assist students transition to post-school pathways options aligned to their goals. Current support initiatives encompass government-subsidised training, funding for TAFE NSW, and collaboration with industry to create workplace engagement models. 

Supporting students with disability through access to, and participation in, quality career learning is essential for students to develop their personal identity, a sense of belonging and ideas about their future in a rapidly changing world as they transition from educational institutions to further education and/or open employment. 

The NSW Department of Education acknowledges the value of the Commission’s findings in these transition points and is committed to delivering on its goal in providing comprehensive career resources and support services, to all students, including those with disability, to navigate their post-school options as effectively as possible.

Northern Territory

Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

The Northern Territory Department of Education and Training has completed a comprehensive review of secondary education across the Territory, focusing on supports for students at key transition points. All recommendations from this review were accepted and implementation through collaboration with schools, communities, and stakeholders to develop region-specific plans and pathways that reflect local needs and aspirations commenced in 2024.

NT government response July 2024

The Northern Territory Government’s vision is for a future secondary education system that is responsive to the diverse needs and delivery contexts in the Northern Territory, reflects the rich cultural diversity among learners and provides a pathway for all students to achieve success in line with their aspirations post schooling. It is recognised that the majority of students with disability are educated in mainstream schools. The Department of Education and Training has conducted a review into secondary education in the Northern Territory which will inform an engaging learning design that drives student outcomes, ensuring continuity of learning, effective transitions and meaningful learning.

Queensland

Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

The Queensland Department of Education’s (DoE) Strategy includes preparing students for their future and supporting positive transitions from school into further education and employment as key school priorities. Future pathways planning for students with disability, including transitioning out of school, is personalised to meet a student’s individual needs and can include working with students and their parents/carers as well as a broad team of specialists, community organisations or National Disability Insurance Scheme providers.

DoE will soon commence a review of the department’s post-school transition support programs and resources. As part of this review, DoE will engage with stakeholders, including the disability sector, with the aim to enhance the process and outcomes for students with disability in line with the recommendation.

QLD government response July 2024

The Queensland Government will review the careers guidance and transition support services provided to students with disability in Queensland state schools, to ensure they align with the key elements outlined in the recommendation.

South Australia

Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

In the South Australian Department for Education, planning has commenced within the Transition Program to implement earlier career guidance and transition supports for years 9 to 12. 

Student Work Health and Safety training for work experience has been redeveloped and is being tested within the Transition Program. 

Vocational Education and Training programs connected to employer partners are being developed to improve student connections to expand employment opportunities. A horticulture program has been confirmed for semester 2, 2025.

SA government response July 2024

In South Australia, government schools currently provide career and transition support services for final year students with disability, to offer suitable employment options through either open employment or Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) based on the needs of the individual. The South Australian government acknowledges the need to provide meaningful and purposeful work guidance, options and supports by considering further review and improvement to current practices in line with the proposed requirements included in the recommendation.

Tasmania

Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

As at April 2025, the Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) has completed the career guidance and transition support measures. 

A Transition Planning Policy, Procedure and Quality Assurance Process was completed and endorsed in 2023.

The Transition Planning Application is available from Year 9 and the Plan includes an indicator for parental participation.

Diversity - Individual Learning Plans are uploaded as supporting documentation. Resource documents include teacher prompts to support First Nations students and those with higher support needs. Teacher notes prompt further information to be included in the transition process for the student.

Clear and accessible information and resources – Our dedicated website Careerify (https://careerify.tas.gov.au/) includes:

• links to National Careers Institute information booklets on Support for Young People with Disabilities, Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and Parents and Guardians.
• teacher resources: How is First Nations Success Shaped for guidance in delivering careers advice to First Nations students and the general School Leavers Information Kit.
• a labour market section with general advice and links to the Job Outlook Website and Labour Market Information Portal for use by students, parents and teachers.
• Careerify includes links to further education providers, employment service providers and government services.

The work experience program in government schools is inclusive and students with disability are provided with support to undertake open employment placements. These supports are managed on a local and case-by-case basis depending on the student’s needs and preferences.

TAS government response July 2024

The Tasmanian Government accepts this recommendation in principle.

The Tasmanian Government is committed to providing careers guidance and transition support services to children and young people with disability to support access to further education or employment opportunities. The Tasmanian Government is already undertaking elements of this recommendation.

Victoria

Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

The Victorian Department of Education has commenced work, including consultation with key stakeholders, to enhance design of careers and transitions supports for students with disability. Learnings will be drawn from the Victorian Early Leaver Connection Initiative that includes tailored advice and support for young people with disability who have left school before the compulsory school age.

VIC government response July 2024

We accept this recommendation in principle.

We recognise the value of careers guidance and work-based learning opportunities during secondary school. This helps students go on to further education and careers.

We have invested $7.3 million over 4 years to fund TAFE officers to support the transition of students with a disability from senior secondary schools to TAFEs.

All 16 TAFE Network members have created Disability Transition Support Officer positions. Thirteen of these positions are filled. We are actively recruiting for the remaining ones.

Western Australia

Response: Accept in principle
Status: In progress

What has been achieved to date

The final report for the Pathways to Post-School Success Review of Western Australian senior secondary education and is under consideration by the WA Government.

WA government response July 2024

The WA Government accepts in principle this recommendation. Implementation is subject to the outcomes and final recommendations of the Pathways to Post-School Success Expert Panel Report due in the second half of 2024.

What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report

State and territory educational authorities should implement a careers guidance and transition support service for students with disability to aid transition from all educational institutions to further education and/or open employment. The service should:

• commence transition planning in year 9 in collaboration with students, their parents and carers to help students define and articulate their goals and aspirations beyond school
• take into account the diversity of students with disability, including students with higher levels of support needs, First Nations students and students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• provide students with disability and their families access to clear and accessible information and resources about future study options and labour market opportunities
• provide students with opportunities to undertake work experience in open employment aligned with their goals and interests
• provide linkages to further education providers, employment service providers and government services (including the National Disability Coordination Officer Program, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) School Leaver Employment Support, Disability Employment Services, and NDIS Local Area Coordinators).

More recommendations

View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.