Some of Our Parts

Pathways to Uni – ATAR

From: MSA Training and Professional Development

Didn’t get the ATAR you wanted? No problem!

• Our qualifications do not require you to have a certain ATAR score to be eligible for enrolment.
• Our courses are open to all, and can be used as a Pathway into Uni.

Students who complete our Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care are eligible to enrol into a Bachelors of Education at Monash.

You will also be granted up to 48 credits, which is equal to 1 year of study at Uni.

What funding is available?

Skills Victoria

Government funding through Skills Victoria is available for eligible participants.

Please click here and you will be able to assess your eligibility.

• Enrolment in a government funded place may impact on your ability to access future government funding.

VERTO

You may be eligible for funding from VERTO if;

• You are between the ages of 45-70, and
• currently living in VIC, NSW or ACT and
• an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident

If eligible, VERTO may pay half of your course fees, up to $2,200.

If you would like to find out more, check your eligibility or start your funding process, please visit the VERTO website here.

JobTrainer

The Victorian Government has partnered with the Commonwealth Government to create a JobTrainer Fund.

This will provide additional funding to increase access to training for Victorians who have been most impacted by COVID – 19.

• If you are aged between 17-24 or a job seeker you may be eligible to benefit from free or low fee training places.
• A current and valid Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran’s Gold Card
• A separation certificate from your employer
• A letter from their employer or company receiver stating that you have been made redundant or will be retrenched.

There is only a limited number of funded spots under the Job Trainer Initiative.

Please contact us if you would like further information or if you would like to find out if you are eligible for the funding.

Contact MSATPD

If you are ready to enrol or have any questions, please feel free to get in contact with one of our friendly staff using the link below.

• CONTACT US

PACE Mentoring Autumn 2022

Applications still open and join us at the information session next week

Happy New Year! We hope you had a well-rested holiday and are ready for 2022.

Are you a jobseeker or student with disability, mental health condition or chronic illness looking to advance your career opportunity and expand your professional network?

Applications for PACE Mentoring Autumn 2022 are still open! 

PACE Mentoring is a free industry mentoring program that matches jobseekers and students with disability with experienced professionals from leading Australian businesses like QBE, ANZ, Alstom Transport and more!

The 4-months program is a great opportunity to:

• Build confidence
• Develop employability skills
• Practice interview skills
• Network with other professionals
• Visiting worksites
• Learn some top tips to get a head start on your career
• Experience professional and personal development

Mentoring opportunities are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth & Adelaide.

There are also some virtual mentoring opportunities for students and jobseekers based in other locations across Australia.

Stay tuned – more participating organisations to be announced!

• Apply now to be a PACE Mentee!

Applications close on 28 February 2022.

Join In The Free Information Sessions

Want to know more about the PACE Mentoring program? We’ve got you covered!

Join AND  at the free online information session next week for an overview of the program.

You are invited to dial in if you are a student or jobseeker with disability, a parent or carer of someone with disability, or disability employment service providers and other people who work with people with a disability, mental health condition or chronic illness.

The sessions will be held online through Microsoft Teams. We’ll talk you through:

• how the program works
• the application process
• what the matching process is like
• what to expect from the program
• plus any questions you have about PACE Menotring.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, 11th January 2022
• Time: 2pm – 3pm (AEDT)
• How to attend: Click here to join the session

Or call in (audio only)
+61 2 5104 6303,,788939907#   Australia, Canberra
1800 571 212,,788939907#   Australia (Toll-free)
Phone Conference ID: 788 939 907#

• You can view all the session times and access details here.

Please let us know if you would like any adjustments for this session.

If you can’t make it next Tuesday, we are running more information sessions over the next few months.

Mark the dates on your calendar and don’t miss it!

• Monday 7th February 2022: 3pm – 4pm
  *all in Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time (AEDT)

Are You Eligible?

Anyone 18 years or over with any type of disability, mental health condition or chronic illness is eligible for the PACE Mentoring Program.

We welcome previous Stepping Into applicants and PACE mentees to re-apply for the program.

AND accepts applications from jobseekers with all types of disability including, but not limited to: physical disability, mental health conditions, sensory impairments and immunological conditions. Find out more about disability types here.

Check out our website for the Frequently Asked Questions about the PACE Mentoring program. You can find the answers to the questions about eligibility, how the program works, timelines and more.

• You can also contact AND on 1300 36 36 45 or via email applications@and.org.au for enquiry.

Don’t miss the amazing opportunity to advance your career opportunity.

Contact Us

• If you have any questions, please contact Australian Network on Disabilty’s Programs team at applications@and.org.au or call 02 8270 9200.

Applications Now Open for the DJCS 2022 Disability Scholarship Program

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is pleased to announce applications are open for the 2022 Disability Scholarship Program.

What is the Disability Scholarship Program?

One major and two minor scholarships are awarded annually to Victorian students with disability studying at the diploma, advanced diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Scholarships are offered in the following areas of study:

• law
• criminology
• paralegal work
• psychology
• social work
• other justice-related fields

How to Apply

Fill in the attached Application Form, also available for download from the DJCS website.

Reasonable adjustments will be provided throughout the application process upon request.

• The closing date for applications is 5.00pm Friday 11 March 2022.

Submit an Application

Completed applications must be submitted by email to: inclusion&intersectionality@justice.vic.‌gov.au.

For full details refer to the Application Form.

More Information

For more information read the attached Program Guidelines, also available for download from the DJCS website.

If you require any of the documents in an alternative format or have any questions email the Inclusion and Intersectionality branch – inclusion&intersectionality@justice.vic.gov.au.

New Opportunities With I CAN Network for 2022

I CAN Network mentors more than 2000+ young people each year via their school-based and national online group mentoring programs.

I CAN are a proudly neurodiverse organisation and feel strongly about providing a workplace that celebrates and nurtures Autistic talent.

They also attract many non-Autistic team members who relish the opportunity to work for an Autistic-led organisation.

All of their positions are paid roles.

Due to the influx of new schools joining I CAN, they are recruiting Mentors & Program Facilitators in all five of their regional hubs:

• Greater Melbourne – Inner City: Coburg to Frankston, Lilydale to Werribee.
• Northern Victoria – Bendigo, Shepparton, Echuca and surrounding areas.
• Barwon/Geelong – Colac & Bellarine
• South West Victoria – Camperdown to Portland
• Queensland – Brisbane, Northern and Southern Suburbs

These roles involve delivering their mentoring programs in I CAN Schools and/or through their National Online Group Mentoring Program.

For full descriptions and to apply CLICK HERE.

I CAN are also excited to recruit a People & Culture Manager (0.4 FTE) to join their senior staff. 

They are looking for a culturally-aligned, motivated, and self-driven individual to join their Senior Management team as a People & Culture Manager based in Victoria.

• You will have tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, experience working in Human Resource Management, and will be able to perform tasks in a highly flexible workplace.
• This role is a paid, part-time role.
• Applications close Sunday 9th January 2022.

For more details CLICK HERE.

National Online Group Mentoring

• Cycle 1 Begins: 7th February, 2022

I CAN Network’s national online group mentoring program continues to offer a safe, accepting, engaging space where Autistic young people ages 8-22 can connect each week with peers and mentors.

In addition to their classic I CAN groups, I CAN Imagination Club® and groups for LGBTIQA+ teens, they  will also be expanding our special interest-based groups to offer 14 different themes.

Please find their schedule details below:

MONDAY

Afternoon: 4:30-5:30PM AEDT

Imagination Club (8-12 years)
Star Wars (8-12 years)
Harry Potter (8-12 years)
Evening:  6:40-7:40PM AEDT

Harry Potter (13-22 years)
Star Wars (13-22 years)
Everything Marvel (13-22 years)

TUESDAY

Afternoon: 4:30-5:30PM AEDT

Dinosaurs (8-12 years)
Evening: 6:40-7:40PM AEDT

Pokémon (8-17 years)
I CAN Group (8-17 years)
Screens, Tunes & Characters (13-22 years)
Anime (13-22 years)

WEDNESDAY

Afternoon: 4:30-5:30PM AEDT

Minecraft (8-12 years)
Evening: 6:40-7:40PM AEDT

Drawing & Art (8-17 years)
Lego – NEW (8-17 years)
Sports – NEW (8-17 years)
I CAN Group (17-22 years)

THURSDAY

Evening: 6:40-7:40PM AEDT

LGBTQIA+ (13-17 years)
Animal Crossing  – NEW (8-17 years)
Minecraft (8-22 years)
AFL (8-17 years)
Dungeons & Dragons (13-22 years)

To avoid disappointment be sure to express your interest for Cycle 1 – 2022 as soon as possible!

To learn more or to express your interest use this link: EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST FOR 2022!

Please note: Age groups are advertised broadly. They will group participants as close to their age bracket as possible.

• As a guide I CAN generally group within the following: 8 – 12 years, 13 – 17 years & 17 – 22 years – this may vary in I CAN Special Interest Groups: https://icannetwork.online/online/

Employ My Ability – the Disability Employment Strategy

*From JobAccess

The Australian Government has developed Employ My Ability – the Disability Employment Strategy, to provide a guiding framework for governments, employers and the broader community to increase employment outcomes for people with disability.

The vision is create inclusive workplaces where people with disability can thrive in their careers.

Through Employ My Ability, the Government is looking to make meaningful changes to the way supports to jobseekers with disability are delivered, and empower employers to confidently recruit people with disability.

Four Priority Areas

Employ My Ability has four priority areas:

1. Lifting employer engagement, capability and demand
2. Building employment skills, experience and confidence of young people with disability
3. Improving systems and services for job seekers and employers
4. Changing community attitudes

• Find out how you can contribute to the success of this strategy by visiting: www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/disability-employment-strategy

Employ My Ability is available in the following accessible formats:

• Standard version
• Easy Read version
• Auslan version

Showing Support

Many businesses are already committed to improving diversity within their own organisations, and are demonstrating this by publically endorsing Employ My Ability.

• If your organisation would like more information on endorsing Employ My Ability, you can reach out to the Department of Social Services at dep@dss.gov.au.

Interested in Being a College Adviser?

College Advisers are volunteers that play an important role in helping college members form friendships and enjoy life at Monash.

They also play a role in designing and delivering our events and ensuring that our community is a great experience for all members.

We provide all the training and work with you to help develop your skills in leadership, teamwork, planning and logistics and mentorship.

If this sounds like something that you’re interested in, then apply here:

• https://www.monash.edu/non-residential-colleges/advisers

You don’t have to be a college member, to be an adviser.

If you know a fellow student who would make a great adviser, please forward this to them!

Training to Become a College Adviser

Training is essential for all advisers and the dates of training are:

• 8th – 10th of February 2022 – On campus training for new and returning advisers.
• 18th – 20th of February 2022 – Residential Training Camp (YMCA Anglesea)
• 14th – 16th of February 2022 – Mental Health First Aid training (Optional)

If you have any questions, please contact: adam.fernandes@monash.edu. 

Celebrating International Day of People with Disability 2021

Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).

This year’s UN theme is “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”

We are happy to acknowledge and celebrate this important day.

We also are aware that disability inclusion must go beyond this day alone.

Let’s work together to continue to strive for a better future.

Disability inclusion. Today. Everyday. Always.

Video: We need to talk about disability

PACE Mentoring: Applications for Autumn 2022 Now Open!

We are excited to announce that applications for PACE Mentoring Autumn 2022 are now open! 

PACE Mentoring is a free industry mentoring program that matches jobseekers and students with disability with experienced professionals from leading Australian businesses like QBE, ANZ, Alstom Transport and more!

The 4-months program is a great opportunity to:

• Build confidence
• Develop employability skills
• Practice interview skills
• Network with other professionals
• Visiting worksites
• Learn some top tips to get a head start on your career
• Experience professional and personal development
• Mentoring opportunities are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth & Adelaide. There are also some virtual mentoring opportunities for students and jobseekers based in other locations across Australia.

Apply now to be a PACE Mentee!

• Applications close on 28 February 2022.

Are You Eligible?

Anyone 18 years or over with any type of disability, mental health condition or chronic illness is eligible for the PACE Mentoring Program.

We welcome previous Stepping Into applicants and PACE mentees to re-apply for the program.

AND accepts applications from jobseekers with all types of disability including, but not limited to: physical disability, mental health conditions, sensory impairments and immunological conditions.

• Find out more about disability types here.

Check out our website for the Frequently Asked Questions about the PACE Mentoring program.

You can find the answers to the questions about eligibility, how the program works, timelines and more.

• You can also contact AND on 1300 36 36 45 or via email applications@and.org.au for enquiry.

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to advance your career opportunity!

Join AND at Their Free Information Sessions

Want to learn more about the program?

Come along to AND’s free PACE Information sessions where we discuss how the program works, what the matching process is like, what to expect from the program and answer any questions you have about PACE Mentoring.

The sessions will be held online through Microsoft TEAMS.

• Tuesday 14th December 2pm – 3pm
• Tuesday 11th January 2pm – 3pm
• Monday 7th February 3pm – 4pm

*all in Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time (AEDT)

• You can view the session times and access details here! Please let us know if you would like any adjustments for this session.

Click here to join the session

Or call in (audio only)

• +61 2 5104 6303,,788939907#  Australia, Canberra
• 1800 571 212,,788939907#  Australia (Toll-free)

Phone Conference ID: 788 939 907#

How PACE Mentoring Helped Melissa

“After I finished PACE, I submitted my resume to Indooroopilly State High School, where I was successful in obtaining an interview. Initially I was nervous, but I just relaxed and thought of the tips my mentor gave me. A week later I got a call from the principal saying that I had the job as a mathematics and science teacher.”

– Melissa from the 2018 PACE Mentoring cohort reflecting on how PACE helped her break into the teaching industry. 

• Read more great stories from PACE Mentoring HERE

If you have any questions, please contact Australian Network on Disabilty’s Programs team at applications@and.org.au or call 02 8270 9200.

The ADCET Universal Design for Learning webpage is Now Live

The Universal Design for Learning webpage is now live on ADCET.

Using the ‘In this section’ navigation menu on the left, the page provides a range of UDL resources, checklists and templates as well as advice about learning design and accessibility, professional learning, and opportunities to get involved in UDL conversations to support good UDL practice in tertiary education in Australia.

The page includes both Australian and international information.

Visit the UDL webpage

• Is something missing on the UDL webpage?
• Let us know your feedback: admin@adcet.edu.au

How The Three Magic Words “Registered with DSS” Taught Me That I Should Not Let What I Can’t Do Stop Me from Doing What I Can Do

By (former Monash student, class of 2021) M. M. Ahmed

I have to confess that I had mixed feelings after completing my course at Monash University earlier this year.

I was sure that I will not be getting the same level of support anywhere else, as none of the four previous universities I studied at offered a student success and IT team both during and after business hours, nor a Moodle site that did not require an elective in computer science to navigate!

Both my course coordinators and supervisors alike, always made themselves available, and diligently responded to the 6481641 student queries on the Q&A board rain, shine, or pandemic.

Moreover, the new grading system that took into account the current circumstances suggested that the university would rather that all their students pass than make a profit if they failed or needed to repeat their courses.

Lastly, the invitation to be an alumni made sure it was not a “Goodbye”.

Like many students attempting to complete their studies while living with a chronic condition, I was also torn between deciding whether my chronic health condition was or wasn’t a valid excuse that warranted special consideration and additional support during my studies.

And given my often-unreasonable sense of pride and own stigma, I chose not disclose it when first enrolled in my course at Monash.

Consequently, my first two trimesters were akin to swimming up an academic version of the Styx River without a paddle, while wearing a facemask that kept fogging up my glasses to boot.

Therefore, -and despite the fact that I was enrolled in a degree I was passionate about- the “Are You Ready for the next Trimester?” Group email always elicited feelings of extreme angst and apprehension.

I wondered, was this trimester going to be one the one where my four AM brain that was already laden with a combination of medication the side effects were often as bad the symptoms of my condition(s) will finally resurrect a scientist who comes back from the dead to seek vengeance on me for missing the comma behind in my citation?

Registering with DSS

Registering with DSS changed my feelings of angst.

Tom and his team quickly and compassionately made me realise that getting support with my assignments and quizzes was not an unfair advantage but more so one that “levelled the playing field”.

So, when my grades picked up -even in subjects that made me sleepier than my prescribed medication ever did, my reaction every time my grades were released was always the same “What the Dickens?!”

I didn’t understand how and why my grades improved given that the impartial and unbiased support DSS provided me did change the fact I had to do the exact same amount of work on my own.

Whenever I appeared flabbergasted when I did well after submitting a paper which I felt was pure drivel, my partner would often tell me to “Stop being a sourpuss about getting a good grade, and there is no need to add Imposter Syndrome to the list of your chronic health conditions!

Accordingly, and on behalf of all the students who were afforded the ability to apply and receive additional support by DSS with no repercussions, I thank Tom and the DSS team for their dedication and their prompt responses to the flurry of phone rants and emails, which were sometimes on weekends if they believed the matter called for it.

Please take pride that our successes are also yours, and that we will all forever be in your debt for all your support.

I hope that anyone who reads this post -student or university staff alike- recognizes that it is their duty both as a professional and as a human being to make sure that no one they know is ever put in a position where they have to pick between the two excuses.