Preparing for life after school: practical steps to help you get ready

As you move into study, work and adult life, you'll be asked to prove your identity. This might be when you're enrolling in a course, opening a bank account or accessing government services.

It’s a good idea to start gathering these before you leave school, as some may take time to find, or apply for. Once you have them, keep the originals somewhere safe so they're easy to access when you need them.

The most requested identity documents include:

Primary documents (you will need at least one of these):

• Birth certificate
• Passport (Australian or overseas)
• Australian citizenship certificate

Secondary documents:

• Medicare card
• Australian driver’s licence or learner permit
• State or territory proof of age card
• Bank statements
• Student ID card with photo

Having these documents ready can save time when you're applying for courses, jobs or financial support. 

Your school email account may become inactive after you leave school, so it's a good idea to have a personal email address that you can keep using. 

You'll need an email address for things like course applications, job applications, banking, Medicare and myGov.  

Choosing a professional-looking email address and checking it regularly can help you stay on top of important information and opportunities. 

A myGov account gives you access to a range of government services in one place, including: 

• Centrelink 
• Medicare 
• Australian Taxation Office (ATO) 

Setting up your account now can make it easier to access information and support when you need it in the future. 

Visit my.gov.au to get started.

If you're planning to work, learning the basics of tax and superannuation (super) can help you feel more confident when you start your first job. 

When you earn income, you may need to pay tax. Your employer may also pay money into a super fund to help you save for retirement. 

When you start working, you may be asked to choose a super fund. Understanding how super works now can make those decisions a little easier when the time comes. 

You can learn more through: 

• headspace | Tax and Super: A Beginner's Guide
• ATO | What is super? 

Whether you're looking for a part-time job, apprenticeship, traineeship or full-time work, spending some time preparing now can make the process easier. 

You might like to: 

• Update your resume 
• Practice interview skills 
• Gather references 
• Learn about workplace rights and responsibilities 

The Fair Work Ombudsman website is a good place to learn about pay, breaks, leave and superannuation. 

Taking these steps now can help you feel more confident when applying for jobs and attending interviews. 

Some jobs require additional training, licenses, or checks before you can start work. 

Depending on the industry, this might include: 

• White Cards 
• Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificates 
• Working with Children Checks 
• Other industry-specific licences or registrations 

Requirements vary depending on the role and where you live, so it's worth checking what's needed for any jobs or industries you're interested in. 

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