Career education in Australian schools is found to be “inconsistent, inadequate and under-resourced.
A new report from HEDx and Year13 paints a worrying picture: confused students, overwhelmed parents, and a university system that feels like a maze.
Published in The Australian last week, (subscribers only) the article calls out schools for falling short when it comes to career guidance. And the numbers don’t lie.
After speaking with over 3,000 young people aged 15 to 24, the report found that only one in four feel ready for work or further study. It’s no surprise when the national average is just one career adviser for every 560 students. The result? Students are left to figure it out on their own, leading to poor course choices, anxiety, and – eventually – costly dropouts. It’s a ticking time bomb for both students and the economy.
This lack of clarity contributes to low engagement, high dropout rates, and poor attainment in tertiary education. The report calls on universities to update their course offerings to reflect the evolving needs of industry and to better support students in making relevant, future-focused choices.
A significant critique is directed at the over reliance on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). The report argues that ATAR fails to capture a student’s full capabilities or potential, instead offering a narrow snapshot based solely on exam performance. It calls for broader consideration of work experience, extracurricular activities and micro-credentials when assessing student potential.
And this is where MyCareerMatch steps in with Personal Career Assistant AI
We launch our game-changer in the first week of Term 2: Think of it as an always-available, always-listening personal career coach for every student — filling the gap where Career Advisers are stretched too thin.
This smart assistant gives each student personal career advice based on their strengths and goals. It chats with them about career options, school subjects, study pathways, resumes, and even job opportunities.
MCM AI is a private AI, ring fenced to engage with students only on matters relating to topics listed above. Students can choose from prepared prompts or enter their own by typing or voice. Transcripts are available to download, and students can return at any time to continue a conversation.
While it’s impossible for one adviser to reach every student, MCM AI can — supporting them not just at school, but beyond the school gate.
Parents will love it knowing their child gains confidence and personal well-being setting their future career path.
And, it will relieve pressure on Career Advisors with the satisfaction they’ve not left any student behind.
Click to find out more: MCM & MCM AI 2025
