My Education
Can I leave school after Year 10?
But before you make the decision to call it quits, it’s a good idea to reflect on the reasons why you want to leave, and if they could be resolved without ditching the classroom.
It’s also worth knowing what dropping out looks like and what you’ll do during that time.
The bottom line is that if you leave after year 10, you need to be earning or learning!
Here’s what that could look like:
- Enrolling in a vocational education and training course
- Getting a job for at least 25 hours per week
- Doing an apprenticeship or traineeship
- Undertaking a Skilling Queenslanders for Work program to receive training and/or do work placements to help get a job
- A combination of the above.
While it’s good to know that there are other options available if you choose not to continue with school, it’s not a decision you should make lightly, especially for these reasons:
- Many courses require a minimum of Year 12 completion
- Apprenticeships and traineeships often require a driver’s license or else you won’t be eligible – if you don’t have this, you’ll need to get your hours up fast!
- If you change your mind, you may find returning to school challenging.
Additionally, there’s lots of benefits for staying in school until graduation, including:
- You’ll receive your QCE which will open the door to more career opportunities in the future
- You’ll get to see your school mates on a regular basis
- You’ll learn skills like teamwork, patience, organisation and perseverance. All of these skills will benefit you in the future, both in life and in your job.
Can I go back to school if I decide to leave after year 10?
Yes – the good news is that you can go back to school if you decide dropping out isn’t shaping up the way you had planned. It’s best to be prepared for what the journey back to school looks like in advance however.
Remember – help is available
If there’s something at school or in your life that’s making you want to drop out, remember help is available. Try speaking with your school guidance officer, or a teacher you feel comfortable with about how you’re feeling. Otherwise, take a look at our get support page for a range of resources and professionals who can lend a listening ear.
