Hints & Tips

Have I considered the costs?

• How much does the course or training program cost?

• Are there out-of-pocket expenses (e.g. text books, uniforms, chef knives, computer, printing, transportation, etc.)?

• Must I pay up-front or can I pay in instalments?

• Does the course or training program qualify for HECS-HELP, VET FEE-HELP, FEE-HELP, or other loans?

• Can I receive government assistance?

• Are there scholarships available to me?

• Am I eligible?

• What are the entry requirements?

• Do I need prior qualifications?

• Can I receive recognition of prior learning (RPL)?

• Can I get the right support I need to succeed in the course or training program?

• Can I receive credits for prior study, training or qualifications?

What does studying involve?

• Do I know the course or training program commencement, census date or completion dates?

• What is the learning style (lectures, tutorials, practicals, work placement, online learning or seminars )?

• Do I need to use my personal equipment or will the course provide me with access to what I need?

• Will the course or training program provide learning support, if I need it, and what does that involve?

• What is the course or training program size and does it suit me?

• Is the course or training program practical or academically focussed?

• Must I attend every class and what happens if I miss one?

• Are the teaching staff or lecturers qualified with relevantand up-to-date industry experience?

• What amenities are available on campus and do I see myself learning there?

• Are there opportunities for part-time study or residential placements?

PLAN YOUR STUDY SCHEDULE

Use a calendar to note your assessment dates at the start of semester and keep track of when assessments are due. Plan your weeks in advance so you know when important events and meeting are happening.

ATTEND ORIENTATION

Visiting your campus on orientation day gives you a feel for campus life and allows you to sign up to any clubs, societies or sporting teams. You can also attend information sessions that help you with your study.

SCHEDULE TIME TO SLEEP

Stay active but ensure that you get an adequate amount of sleep. Lack of sleep can greatly impact your studies.

SIGN UP

Join any clubs, societies and sporting teams where you may share a common interest. These interest groups are an excellent way to make friends, understand your industry better and make contacts.

TAKE NOTES

Keep track of important notes and information from your course as well as collecting hints and tips from other students and trainers, lecturers and= mentors. When you’re feeling the pressure, refer to your notes and go over those points to ensure you’re following the best path towards study success.

HAVE A BALANCE

Make time to balance your study, leisure and work time. Take time off from study to enjoy the student life with your friends. Don’t commit to too much part-time work as you will not have enough time for study. Ensure you are eating healthy, balanced meals and drinking plenty of water. Taking care of yourself will help you stay on top of your studies. Getting sick can mean missing important deadlines.

ASK QUESTIONS

Don’t be afraid to talk to the teaching staff on your campus. They have a lot of experience and can help you with any study or employment concerns.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES

Your campus and trainers or lecturers will be able to help identify relevant volunteering, mentoring, work experience and internship opportunities. Make sure you follow your course’s social media account or emailing list to be in the know.

Content used with permission from the Australian Council
for Private Education and Training (ACPET).

Job searching

Research the job and organisation.

• Find out what the organisation does, how they operate, recent achievements, major changes or projects.

• Call the recruiter and have a discussion about what they’re looking for in an applicant. Hopefully they will remember you when you submit your application.

Don’t get discouraged! Job searching can take time and you may face setbacks and rejections before securing a position.

Maintain your network. Many jobs in the hospitality and tourism industry are found through industry contacts, not job sites.

Be resume ready

A resume is a summary of your experience, education and skills. Usually one or two pages in length, resumes are used by employers to find out about a job applicant. Recruiters only need 20 seconds to assess your resume, so make it stands out, is easy to read and uses action and keywords to get their attention.

Keep your resume current and up to date. Use spell check and get a family member or friend to look over it to ensure it is clear and well written.

Make sure you include the following information:
• Personal details including name and contact information
• Key skills – e.g. time management, analytical, communication
• Work history, relevant experience and achievements
• Education

Preparing for an interview

Prepare answers for common interview questions, such as:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why are you interested in this job/organisation?
• What is your greatest strength/weakness?
• What do you know about our company?
• How have you handled difficult or stressful situations in your current job?
• What are your achievements to date?

Use the STAR method to prepare for such interview questions:

S – Situation, set the scene, what happened

T – Task/Target, what was required of you, when, where, who

A – Action, what you did, skills used, behaviours, characteristics

R – Result/outcome, what happened in the end?

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer to show you’re well prepared and interested in the role.

Dress appropriately. Research the company and their dress code and dress to match. If you’re unable to find out, ensure you look neat and smart.

Know where your interview is going to be, and make sure you have plenty of time to travel.

Arrive 10 minutes early so you can calm down and gather your thoughts.

HECS – HELP

HECS-HELP is a student loan scheme for eligible Commonwealth supported students to defer their student contribution and repay it later through the taxation system.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Be studying in a Commonwealth supported place
• Be an Australian citizen
• Be New Zealand Special Category Visa holder
• Be a permanent humanitarian visa holder
• Be enrolled in each unit at your university by the census date

www.studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/
helppayingmyfees/ hecs-help/pages/hecs-help-welcome

Abstudy

Abstudy assists with tuition costs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who are studying or undertaking an Australian apprenticeship.

www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/
abstudy

Austudy

Austudy provides financial support to full-time students and Australian Apprentices aged 25 years or older, studying full-time in an approved course at an approved educational institution, or undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship or traineeship.

www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/
austudy

FEE – HELP

FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists eligible fee-paying students, enrolled at an eligible FEE-HELP higher education provider, to pay all or part of their tuition fees for eligible units of study. It cannot be used for additional costs such as accommodation or text books.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Be studying at an approved FEE-HELP provider or through Open Universities Australia

• Be an Australian citizen
• Be a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder
• Be a permanent humanitarian visa holder
• Be enrolled in an eligible unit of study
• Have not exceeded the FEE-HELP limit
• Have maintained a 50% unit pass rate

www.studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist/
helppayingmyfees/ hecs-help/pages/hecs-help-welcome

VET STUDENT LOANS

VET Student Loans is an income contingent loan scheme to assist eligible students studying certain diploma level and above vocational and education and training qualifications. Eligible students are entitled for loans up to a capped amount.

https://www.education.gov.au/vet-student-loans

Youth Allowance

In an education context, the Youth Allowance provides financial support for people aged 16 to 24 years who are studying full-time, undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship, or training.

Eligibility criteria include:

• 16 to 17 years old and independent or needing to live away from home to study

• 18 to 24 years old and studying full-time

• 16 to 24 years old and undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship

www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink
youth-allowance

Scholarships

Scholarships can be awarded on financial needs, academic achievements, rural living or Indigenous backgrounds. Contact your educational institution for more details on potential scholarships available to you.

Australian Apprenticeship Support
www.apprenticeshipsupport.com.au

Australian Government Study Assist
www.studyassist.gov.au

CRICOS
For international students 
www.cricos.education.gov.au

Department of Education and Training

Myskill 
www.myskills.gov.au

Job Guide
www.education.gov.au/job-guide

Jobactive 
www.jobsearch.gov.au

Job Ready
www.jobready.gov.au

Myfuture 
www.myfuture.edu.au

Jobs Queensland
www.jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au

Department of Employment, Small Business and Training
http://desbt.qld.gov.au

Queensland Curriculum and Assessment
Authority
www.qcaa.qld.edu.au

Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre
1300 GO QTAC (1300 467 822)
www.qtac.edu.au

Reading and Writing Hotline
1300 6 555 06
www.readingwritinghotline.edu.au

Skills Road
1300 6 555 06
www.skillsroad.com.au

Training Queensland
www.training.qld.gov.au

Training Ombudsman
www.qld.gov.au/education/training

Australian Apprenticeship Pathways
https://www.aapathways.com.au

Job Outlook
https://joboutlook.gov.au

Fair Work Ombudsman

The Fair Works Ombudsman is an independent statutory agency of the Australian Government which supports Australian workplaces, so they can be compliant, productive and inclusive. They help both, employers and employees, to understand their rights and responsibilities under Australian workplace laws and work with them to resolve any issues that may arise. Their services are free to all workers and employers in Australia.

Help for:
• Visa holders and migrants
• Young workers and students
• Apprentices and trainees
• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
• Parents and families
• Small businesses
• Franchises
• Contracting labour & supply chain
• Independent contractors

For more info visit: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/

Employee rights, entitlements and pay

You should be aware of the rights and entitlements that come as part of being a Queensland employee.

• Leave entitlement: All workers are entitled to leave however, this will depend on the type of contract you sign. Casual workers, for example, are not entitled to any paid annual leave nevertheless, they can take up to two days unpaid carers’ or compassionate leave.
More info: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/entitlements/leave

• Workers’ compensation: Is the insurance that can pay the wages and medical costs of employees who have been injured due to their employment. WorkCover Queensland is the exclusive provider of accident insurance.
More info: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/entitlements/
compensation

• Awards and Wages: An award is the legal document where all the terms and conditions of employment for a job or industry will be set out. It contains information like minimum wages, overtime, penalty rates and allowances. Most of the wages in Queensland are controlled by an award and will depend on the job. However, the national minimum wage is $18.93 per hour (full time/adult).
Find out your wage at: https://calculate.fairwork.gov.au/
findyouraward

Queensland Training Obudsman

The Queensland Training Ombudsman is an independent office that provides Queenslanders with support to resolve training issues or make complaints thus strengthening the State’s vocational education and training (VET) sector. They offer a free, independent and confidential service to review and resolve enquiries and complaints from students, regional tourism organisations (RTO’s), apprentices, trainees and employers. Queensland Training Ombudsman reports on issues in the VET sector and advises the government on ways to improve them. If you are experiencing any issues with the VET sector or have any complaints, please visit http://trainingombudsman.qld.gov.au/

Superannuation

Superannuation is part of the rights you receive from being an employee in Australia; it is the money that is set aside for your retirement. The money comes from the contributions your employer makes to your super fund and you can top the fund with your own money. Your employer must pay 9.5% of your salary into your super fund. It is important that when you are hired you keep in mind considerations such as which super fund you want to choose and if you want to make any voluntary contributions. It is your employer’s obligation to pay your superannuation however, it is your responsibility to make sure everything is right. For more information visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/jobs/finance/super

Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Tax 
File Number (TFN)

As part of your obligations when working in Australia you will need to pay taxes, which is the money collected by the Australian Taxation Office to pay for services provided to the community, such as health, education, social services and defence. The TFN is your personal reference number in the tax and super systems. Although having a TFN is not mandatory it will help you avoid paying more tax. You will only need to apply for a TFN once since it is for life. Visit the Australian Taxation Office website to apply for your TFN: https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/

Australian Apprentice Support Network

Australian Apprentice Network is a network of providers contracted by the Australian Government that provides free Australian Apprenticeship support services to apprentices and employers. The Australian Government invests up to $190 million annually in the network to make it easier for employers to recruit, train and retain apprentices and to support individuals to succeed in their apprenticeship. The providers will give advice and support services tailored to the needs of employers and apprentices throughout the entire process, from pre-commencement to completion. For more information visit: https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/find-myaasn/full-list

Bank accounts

Having a bank account can be beneficial in numerous ways, to save money, as safer way of carrying money and for your employers to transfer your pay. It is important that before you open a bank account you compare banks to understand their fees and charges to guarantee you are getting the most use and benefit out of it. Depending on the bank of your choice, the requirements to open a bank account will be different so make sure you check with them what you will need. Two documents that everyone will ask for is a photo ID and money to deposit into the account. If you are an international student, you will also need your passport and your student ID.

Useful Organisations

Anti-Discrimination

• Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland

• Australian Human Rights Commission Website: https://www.
humanrights.gov.au/complaint-information Phone: 1300
656 419

Mental Health

• For immediate help call Triple Zero (000)

• Mental Health Access Line: 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255)

• Mental Health Association Queensland Website:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.au/

• Queensland Alliance for Mental Health Website:
https://www.qamh.org.au/

Group Training Organisations

Group Training Organisations (GTO) employ apprentices and trainees and place them with host employers. The GTO will undertake employer responsibilities such as, selecting and recruiting, managing the quality and continuity of training and looking after the employees’ benefits, including: wages, allowances, superannuation, workers compensation, among others. The main goals of a Group Training Organisation is to create additional employment opportunities and improve the quality of the training available. For more information about GTOs visit: https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/find-my-aasn/full-list