While young people were learning at home, there was an increase in questions about education participation requirements for young people wanting to undertake paid employment that is not part of their education and training program, (i.e. employment that is not a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship or with a registered training provider).

Under the Education Act 2016, there are no restrictions on a young person undertaking paid employment outside of their scheduled education and training attendance hours. However, if a young person hasn’t met one of the minimum leaving requirements (finished Year 12/Certificate III, or turned 18), they are not able to work for an employer during their scheduled education and training hours, unless an Application for Part-time Attendance or Application for Exemption is completed and approved in advance.

For part-time attendance, the application must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of the young person. For an exemption, generally the young person would have finished Year 10 and have secured full-time employment of at least 35 hours a week.

Schools are encouraged to use these parent fact sheets for K-10 and senior secondary aged students if they receive queries about school and work. Contact: edact@education.tas.gov.au