What do the Senior Phase Education and Training Reforms for the Future (ETRF) mean for students?
From 1 January 2006, young people must stay at school until they turn 16 or complete Year 10, whichever comes first. After this, the compulsory participation phase will apply until the young person: • gains a Senior Certificate or Certificate III (vocational qualification); or • has participated in eligible options for two years. An eligible option is an educational program provided by a school, a course of higher education provided by a university or other provider, a TAFE course, an apprenticeship or traineeship; or • turns 17. Parents will be obliged to ensure their child participates as required. This obligation doesn ‘t apply if the young person has a paid job for at least 25 hours per week or is under an employment exemption under the Vocational Education, Training and Employment Act 2000. Students in Year 10 in 2006 will be the first to be affected by the new laws.
