Careers – Week 2 Term 3
MCE Careers Website Link mcecareers.com
Term 3, Week 2 2026
Dear Parents/Carers and Students,
Welcome to this week’s Careers Update!
As we roll into August, senior students are entering a critical window for post-school planning. Between early entry schemes, university open days, apprenticeships and subject selection decisions, there is a lot happening.
Because this newsletter is distributed today, Thursday 30 July, all upcoming events listed below take place from August onwards. Please review the key dates with your sons to ensure they don’t miss out on important application deadlines and campus visits.
University Open Days & Campus Experiences
Open Days are the best way for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to explore campus culture, tour state-of-the-art facilities and speak directly with academics and current university students.
|
Date |
Event |
Location |
Details |
|
Sat 8 Aug |
AFTRS Open Day 2026 |
AFTRS Campus Moore Park |
Tour industry-standard film, TV and audio studios and explore storytelling degrees. |
|
Sat 15 Aug |
Macquarie University Open Day |
Wallumattagal Campus |
Attend degree sessions, chat 1:1 with lecturers, campus tours and explore entry schemes. |
|
Sat 15 Aug |
University of Newcastle Open Day |
Newcastle (Callaghan/City) |
Degree presentations, hands-on activations and campus tours. |
|
Sat 15 Aug |
ADFA Open Day 2026 |
Canberra & Online |
Learn about UNSW degrees combined with military officer training. |
|
Sat 15 Aug |
ACAP & SAE Open Days |
Sydney Campuses |
Creative media, psychology, counselling, audio and design showcases. |
|
Sun 16 Aug |
ACU Open Day |
Strathfield Campus |
Course info, entry schemes and student life sessions. |
|
Sat 22 Aug |
Le Cordon Bleu & Collarts Open Day |
Sydney Campuses |
Culinary demonstrations, music and creative arts course breakdowns. |
|
Sat 29 Aug |
University of Sydney Open Day |
Camperdown Campus |
Tour Australia’s oldest university campus and explore degree combinations. |
|
Sat 29 Aug |
UTS Open Day 2026 |
City Campus |
Explore world-class labs, learning spaces and industry placement options. |
|
Sat 29 Aug |
Notre Dame Open Day |
Sydney Campus |
Small class sizes, early entry and student support focus. |
|
Sat 5 Sep |
UNSW Open Day 2026 |
Kensington Campus |
Over 200 sessions covering degrees, global opportunities and campus life. |
Online Information Sessions & Webinars
If you can’t make it in person, these live online sessions offer a great way to get your questions answered from home.
- JCU Exploring Veterinary Science (Tue 4 Aug): Essential for students interested in tropical and rural veterinary practice.
- Applying to Uni of Melbourne via VTAC (Wed 5 Aug): For students looking to study interstate in Victoria.
- STEM + X: Careers in Agriculture (Wed 5 Aug): Discover high-demand careers in ag-tech, data science and biotechnology.
- Architecture & Built Environment at Sydney (Wed 5 Aug): Overview of built environment pathways at USYD.
- UOW Future Talk for Parents (Mon 10 Aug): Covers HSC support, UOW Early Admission, AI in careers and financial planning.
- Why Study Business at Sydney? (Wed 12 Aug): Explore over 100 study combinations and industry internship opportunities.
- UNSW Co-op Program Scholarship Chat (Thu 20 Aug): Overview of the prestigious Co-op scholarship program and scholar experience.
Apprenticeships, Trades & Vocational Pathways
For students aiming for a trade or hands-on career, these expos bring employers, group training organisations and TAFE representatives under one roof.
Parent Tip: Bringing your son’s resume to these expos is highly recommended – exhibitors often recruit on the spot for upcoming intakes!
- South Western Sydney Expo: Tuesday 25 August @ Liverpool Catholic Club.
- Say Yes to the Trades Expo: Thursday 27 August @ Entertainment Park, Bankstown Aerodrome.
- Sydney West Careers & Employment Expo: Friday 28 – Saturday 29 August @ Sydney Showground.
Scholarships & Competitions Currently Open
Encourage your sons to get their applications in early. Free money for tertiary study is always worth the effort!
- 2026 Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize: Closes 3 August 2026.
- Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee (Years 3–8): Closes 21 August 2026.
- Harding Miller Education Foundation Scholarship: Closes 24 August 2026.
- Chevron Nature in Focus Photography Competition: Closes 7 September 2026.
- UNSW Medical Gateway & Endowed Scholarships: Close 30 September 2026.
Tax & Money Matters for Working Students
If your son has a part-time or casual job, the end of the financial year (30 June) means tax returns are officially open.
- Do school students need to file a tax return? If your total income was over $18,200, yes. Even if you earned under $18,200, if your employer withheld any tax from your pay, you should lodge a return to claim that tax back as a refund!
- App/Freelance Work: Income earned through delivery, odd jobs, or freelancing must be reported, as there is no employer withholding tax automatically.
- Deadline: Free online lodgements through myTax (myGov) must be submitted by 31 October 2026. If no return is required, a simple ‘non-lodgement advice’ must still be submitted to the ATO.
Job Spotlight: Construction Manager
If your son is an organiser who enjoys dynamic environments and building tangible projects, Construction Management is a thriving career path to consider.
- The Role: Construction Managers coordinate building and infrastructure projects from planning through to handover. They manage site safety, subcontractor schedules, budgets and problem-solve daily site challenges.
- Work Style: High site mobility, early starts, clear communication and leadership under pressure. Above-average earning potential with strong industry demand across residential, commercial and civil sectors.
- How to Get There: Typically via a Bachelor of Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or vocational VET pathways combined with site trade experience. Cadetships with major builders during university are very common.
As always, if your son would like to discuss university preferences, early entry schemes, or trade pathways, please encourage him to pop into the Careers Office for a chat.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Warm regards,
Mr. Benjamin Nguyen
Careers Adviser