Learn or Earn for 15-17 years
Under the Northern Territory Education Act, it is compulsory for all Territory students to complete Year 10 and then participate in education, training and/or employment until they turn 17. From 1 January 2010 a young person under the age of 17 years must: *
- complete Year 10 of secondary education, and
- then participate, full-time in one of the following eligible options:
- approved education or training, or
- if the young person is of or above the age of 15 years
- paid employment **, or
- a combination of approved education, training and paid employment.
Penalties under the Education Act may apply for failure to comply with these requirements and parents, guardians, employers, trainers and young people must therefore ensure that they are aware of and comply with these requirements.
It is accordingly essential that:
- trainers ensure that a young person under 17 years of age has completed Year 10 before they commence an approved training program as an eligible option, and
- employers ensure that a young person seeking paid employment as an eligible option has both completed Year 10 and is of or above 15 years of age ***.
Notes
| * | These requirements apply unless a young person has been exempted from participating in an eligible option. |
| ** | Participation in paid employment on a full-time basis requires participation for an average of 25 hours per week. |
| *** | A young person under the age of 15 years and still enrolled in school may engage in casual or part time paid employment provided (i) the employment is not at a time when the young person is required to attend school or (ii) does not render the young person unfit to attend school or to receive and understand instruction at school. See section 30 of the Education Act. |
More information for schools
More information for parents and guardians
More information for young people
More information for employers
More information for trainers
Frequently asked questions
Notification of Arrangement Form (word 77 kb)
Contacts
Participation and Pathways Division,
Department of Education and Training
GPO Box 4821, Darwin, NT 0801
t: 08 8944 9274
f: 08 8999 4399
e: learnorearn.det@nt.gov.au