School to Work is the Victorian Government’s place-based program that connects local employers, industry partners and schools to improve school student access to work-based learning.
The Victorian Government is introducing changes to School to Work from 2027 so that every government secondary school and specialist school receives quality support.
Key changes to School to Work
School to Work service providers will work with employers to source and help with industry exposure experiences for groups of students in years 7-9, work experience placements and structured workplace learning placements.
In 2027, this is expected to deliver:
- group experiences for more than 34,500 students
- placement listings for more than 7,250 students
- sourced and matched placement opportunities for more than 7,000 students.
This is nearly 3 times the number of supported placements than in 2026, and will continue to increase in 2028 and 2029.
The program will continue to support non-government schools and is expected to support at least 2,500 students at these schools to access work-based learning in 2027. This will be nearly double the support expected for non-government school students in 2026.
New transport and accommodation funding will be available later in 2027 to help rural and regional students access more opportunities. The program will also create more work-based learning opportunities in cities for these students.
School to Work will also link better with other programs in the career education and pathway system to reduce duplication and make it simpler for schools and employers.
This is made possible by an efficient 17-area structure and delivery by the most suitable organisation in each area. This will direct more program funding to service delivery, instead of administrative costs.
These changes are the result of our consultation with schools, employers and other stakeholders earlier in 2026. Consultation highlighted the community’s expectation that School to Work:
- delivers more value for students, schools and employers across Victoria
- focuses on students who cannot find work-based learning placement opportunities without support
- addresses the additional challenges for access to work-based learning in rural and regional Victoria.
The consultation report is available from Engage Victoria.
School to Work providers from 2027
The service provider for 2027 in each area was selected through a competitive application process. Applications were evaluated on their:
- ability to deliver the program
- expected level of service
- understanding of student needs in the area
- ability to work with schools, stakeholders and communities in the area
- understanding and existing connections with employers in the area.
These organisations have received grants to provide School to Work services in their areas from 2027 to 2029.
Program services
Program providers will build and nurture a network of employers and industry partners in their area that can provide work-based learning activities for school students.
Most students can find a work experience or structured workplace learning placement on their own by using their own connections or school networks. Arranging their own placement can teach a student important skills that help with getting a job.
Some students will benefit from or require help. Providers will do this in 3 tiers of service for government schools:
- Group experiences in years 7 to 9: For any students in years 7-9, schools can access provider-facilitated industry exposure experiences, which could be a workplace tour, career expo, industry taster or employer presentation.
- Medium-level support: For students facing barriers to finding a placement, providers will send placement opportunities to career practitioners in schools.
- High-level support: For students facing the greatest barriers to finding a placement, schools will refer them to the provider to find a suitable placement opportunity.
Providers will also connect with employers to find opportunities for school-based apprenticeships or traineeships (SBATs), as part of the Head Start program.
Non-government schools can also request support from their School to Work provider to find work-based learning.
As part of their role, providers will create career exploration opportunities for regional students with city-based employers.
We will also support rural and regional government schools with transportation for work-based learning. This support will become available later in 2027.
More information
More information for schools will be published on our Policy and Advisory Library in Term 4, 2026.
If you’re interested in how your business or organisation can benefit by connecting with school students, learn more here: Your Future Workforce Today
To contact the project team, email: school.to.work@education.vic.gov.au
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