Careers

It’s hard to believe that we are almost halfway through Term 3. Term 3 is always a big one from a career perspective; particularly as I support our Year 12 students with managing their transition/s from Casey Grammar School.

Over the last few weeks, I have been meeting with all Year 12 students to discuss their ‘life plans’. Some students are applying to study, while others are looking to secure employment or move into the Defence Force.

Whatever their pathway, I am excited to support them as they navigate their last few months as CGS.

AI’s Impact on Career Prospects for Young People

In July 2026, the Office of the Chief Economist published a report which examined whether there is evidence that AI is affecting employment trends in Australia. In supporting young people to identify their career pathways, it is important that I familiarise myself with meaningful data in this space, as opposed to engaging with fear mongering ‘click bait’ media that floods most social media/media platforms.

The report, combining descriptive statistics and statistical modelling, highlighted the following key points:

• There is no evidence to date of broad AI-driven labour-market upheaval in Australia.
• Overall labour market conditions remain strong by historical standards; youth outcomes have mostly held up, and occupational reshuffling has not accelerated.
• However, occupations more ‘exposed’ to potential automation by generative AI have grown more slowly than other occupations. Exposed occupations include receptionists, accounting clerks and bookkeepers, sales and marketing professionals, business and systems analysts and programmers.

In short, ‘the evidence is best read as an early indication of some modest slowing in employment growth in some highly exposed occupations, not proof of large AI-driven job loss’.

I was also interested in reading the Guardian article (below), which challenged the idea that AI was ‘destroying’ jobs. Sure, AI is ‘changing jobs’, but destroying them? The data would suggest otherwise.

I encourage students and parents/guardians to read both this article and the ‘AI and employment in Australia’ report. I also encourage you to visit the Australian Government ‘Jobs and Skills’ website for detailed data regarding specific roles.

AI and employment in Australia
AI was supposed to destroy jobs. Where’s the carnage? | AI (artificial intelligence) | The Guardian
Exposures, Adaptation, Dynamism – Jobs and Skills Australia

At the heart of my role is the commitment to support our students to better understand themselves. By this, I mean developing a self-awareness that allows our students to lean into their strengths, interests and values, whilst also acknowledging the changing landscape of the world of work they will need to navigate in the future.

With a focus on the development of career resilience, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a flexible mindset, I am confident our students will thrive once they graduate Casey Grammar School.

Early Entry Programs for Year 12 2026 Students

A number of Victorian tertiary providers are offering early entry programs for 2027 courses. Early entry programs provide Year 12 students to receive a (conditional) course offer before they start their end of year exams. The following Victorian tertiary providers have recently launched their programs:

• Federation University Early Entry Program
• ACU Guarantee
• Latrobe (Aspire)
• Swinburne Early Entry Program
• VU Guarantee
• RMIT Early Offer
• University of Melbourne Access
• Monash Guarantee

VTAC Key Dates

Sarah Blythman
Head of Careers and Student Pathways
s.blythman@caseygrammar.vic.edu.au

• Fortnightly Newsletter