Left School and Ready to Work? You Don’t Need a Degree to Get Started

Not everyone wants to go straight to uni or TAFE — and that’s okay.

Whether you’ve finished Year 12, left school early, or just want to start earning, there are real jobs out there that don’t need a big resume or a four-year plan.

For thousands of school leavers across Australia, the smartest first step is getting a short course certificate.

In many industries, a single ticket (or certification) is all it takes to unlock paid work — no experience needed.

This guide breaks down the best first jobs for school leavers, the short courses that get you in the door, and how to move forward even if you’re not sure what comes next.

Some of the best entry-level jobs in Australia require just one thing: the right certificate.

Whether it’s legal compliance or employer preference, a short course can be the difference between getting overlooked and getting hired.

Here are four industries where a nationally recognised certificate gets your foot in the door — fast.

Hospitality Jobs (With RSA)

• Bar staff
• Bottle shop assistant
• Café or restaurant crew
• Waitstaff or food runners

To serve alcohol in any licensed venue in Australia, you’ll need your RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate. It’s a legal requirement, and most venues won’t even look at your application without it.

You can complete your RSA entirely online — and be ready to start applying within hours.

Construction Jobs (With White Card)

• Labourer
• Trade assistant
• Site cleaner

Anyone entering a construction site in Australia — even just to carry materials — needs a valid White Card. It’s a legal safety requirement across every state and territory.

This course covers the basics of site safety and can be completed online. Once you have your card, you can start applying for labouring roles straight away.

Kitchenhand & Food Service Jobs (With Food Safety)

• Kitchenhand
• Fast food team member
• Deli or bakery assistant
• Sandwich artist or café runner

While not always required by law, many food businesses prefer staff with a Food Safety certificate — especially when handling unpackaged food. It shows you understand safe food handling and hygiene, which makes a big difference to employers.

Gaming Venue Jobs (With RSG)

• Gaming room attendant
• Pub or club support staff
• Venue assistant (pokies, bistros, bars)

If you’re looking to work in a pub or club that has gaming machines, you’ll often need an RSG certificate (Responsible Service of Gambling). Many of these jobs also require an RSA.

These two certificates together open up a wide range of hospitality roles — especially in larger venues.

These Jobs Still Need a Certificate — Even If You Don’t Think They Do

Some jobs might look like casual, no-experience gigs — but behind the scenes, most of them legally require a certificate to get started.

Even when it’s not required by law, employers will usually expect you to already have the right ticket in hand.

If you’re applying for any of the roles below, having a nationally recognised certificate isn’t optional — it’s what gets your resume moved to the top of the pile.

Supermarket Deli, Bakery & Fresh Food Roles (With Food Safety)

• Deli assistant
• Bakery team member
• Fresh produce or meat department

These aren’t just stacking shelves — you’re working around food.

A Food Safety or Food Handling certificate is often required under state legislation or company policy, especially for roles involving unpackaged items, cleaning equipment, or preparing food for sale.

Kitchenhand & Fast Food Crew (With Food Safety)

• Kitchenhand or back-of-house crew
• Fast food team member
• Dishwasher / prep assistant

Even for entry-level roles, most cafés, restaurants and quick-service chains prefer staff who already understand hygiene, food storage, and safe prep practices. A Food Safety certificate helps you hit the ground running — and makes onboarding faster for the employer.

Bottle Shops & Licensed Venues (With RSA)

• Bottle shop attendant
• Barback or glassy
• Hotel or pub runner

If the job involves handling or selling alcohol in any way, you’ll need a valid RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate. Even if you’re not pouring drinks yourself, most venues won’t hire without it.

Gaming Venues (With RSG + RSA)

• Gaming floor attendant
• Club or pub support staff
• Venue all-rounder (pokies, bar, bistro)

To work anywhere with poker machines or a gaming area, you’ll need an RSG (Responsible Service of Gambling). Many venues also require an RSA — especially if you’re expected to float between the gaming room and the bar.

Construction Site Support Roles (With White Card)

• Site cleaner or labourer
• Material runner or gate spotter
• General site support

Every single person on a construction site in Australia — no matter what they’re doing — must have a White Card. That includes entry-level roles like site cleanup or helping tradies with gear. No White Card, no job — it’s that simple.

What If I Didn’t Finish Year 12?

If you didn’t finish school — or never got your Year 12 certificate — that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

In fact, a lot of employers don’t care how far you went in school.

What they care about is whether you’re ready to work, show up on time, and follow basic rules.

That’s where a short course comes in.

A nationally recognised certificate shows you’ve taken a step forward. It proves you’re willing to learn, that you understand the legal and safety requirements of the job, and that you’re not just another name on a list.

Most of the courses we offer — like RSA, RSG, Food Safety, and the White Card — don’t have any formal entry requirements.

You don’t need a Year 12 certificate. You don’t need experience. And you can get certified in just a few hours, from home.

So if you’ve been thinking you’re not “qualified” enough — this is your sign to back yourself. All you need is one course and the right attitude to get started.

You Don’t Have to Figure Out Your Whole Life Today

Not everyone knows what they want to do after school — and that’s completely normal.

Some people go straight into uni or TAFE.

Others want to earn money, get experience, and work things out along the way.

There’s no one right path. But there is a smart one — and that’s starting with something small and practical that gets you earning now, while keeping your options open for later.

Short, accredited courses like the RSA, RSG, White Card, or Food Safety can help you land a real job quickly.

You can get certified in under a day, and start applying for roles right away — no long applications, no waitlists, no massive student debt.

Some people take a course, get a job, and then decide what’s next.

Others work part-time while they study. And a few discover they love the industry they started in and keep building from there.

The point is: your first step doesn’t lock you in — but it does get you moving.

FAQs About Jobs for School Leavers

Do employers actually check if I have a certificate?

Yes — especially for jobs involving alcohol, construction, food handling or gambling. Employers risk fines if they hire someone without the right certification, so they’ll often ask for your certificate number or a copy during onboarding.

What happens if I apply for jobs without the required certificate?

In most cases, your application won’t even be considered. Employers are often short-staffed — they want someone who’s ready to go, not someone who still needs training. Having your certificate upfront makes you a safer, easier hire.

How old do I need to be to get certified?

It depends on the course:

• RSA and RSG: You can usually complete the course at 17, but you need to be 18 to legally work with alcohol or gambling.
• White Card: No minimum age, but you may need a parent/guardian to provide consent if you’re under 18.
• Food Safety: No age limit — many students take this course while still at school.

What if I don’t know what job I want yet?

That’s normal. Many school leavers start with a flexible certificate like RSA or Food Safety that opens up casual work while they figure out the rest. You don’t need a long-term plan — just a way to get earning and learning now.

Can I really complete these courses online?

Yes — our courses are 100% online, nationally recognised, and built for real-world use. You can study at your own pace and get certified fast — sometimes within hours. No classrooms, no waitlists, no hassles.

Is this just a short-term solution?

Not at all. Many of our students use these certificates to land their first job — and then keep moving up. We’ve seen people start as casual kitchenhands and end up running cafés. It’s not just about starting — it’s about opening doors.

Just Left School? Don’t Wait Around — Get Job-Ready Now

If you’ve just finished school — or decided to leave early — you might be asking: what now?

Here’s the truth: employers aren’t looking for perfect. They’re looking for ready. And one short course can be all it takes to go from “no idea” to “you’re hired.”

Whether it’s pulling beers, working in a kitchen, or stepping onto a worksite — there are real jobs out there waiting for people like you. And we’re here to help you get qualified, fast.

• Built for school leavers — no ATAR, no experience needed
• 100% online — learn from your phone, on your schedule
• Fast turnaround — most certificates issued in under 24 hours
• Not sure where to start? We’ll point you in the right direction
  
  

Trainer’s Insight
“Some of the most determined students we see are straight out of school. They just want a fair go — and once they’ve got that first certificate, doors start opening fast.”