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Senior Phase of Learning Frequently Asked Questions

Year 10 and SET Plans

1. What is a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan?

2. Is the development of SET Plans legislated?

3. Who will have access to the information and how will it be used?

4. What does a SET Plan look like?

5. Can a SET Plan look different in different schools?

6. Who is responsible for ensuring that each student has a SET Plan?

7. Who should look after the SET Plan?

8. What is the role of parents or guardians in developing the SET Plan?

9. Does a young person working full-time under the age of 17 years need a SET Plan?

10. What does the registration of young people with the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) in Year 10 mean for young people?

11. If an employer offers a full-time job to a young person who has completed Year 10 or turned 16, will the employer be responsible for monitoring the SET Plan and sending information to the QSA?

1. What is a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan?

SET planning is a formal process for young people (usually in Year 10) to develop a personal plan of action that will help them succeed in their senior phase of learning, with help from their learning provider and parents.

The process is supported by partnerships developed by the school with other providers, industry and the community, and relies on up-to-date information on different senior phase options. A SET Plan maps out a young person 's senior phase learning program, including the path they may take to gain a senior certificate or Certificate III vocational qualification. For more information, visit the Queensland Studies Authority website.

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2. Is the development of Senior Education and Training Plans legislated?

SET Plans are not in the legislation as a requirement. However, the Queensland Government 's Education and Training Reforms for the Future White Paper includes a requirement for schools and learning providers to develop SET Plans for Year 10 students. Sectors choose how they will administer SET planning. For more information, visit the Queensland Studies Authority website.

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3. Who will have access to the information on the Senior Education and Training Plan and how will it be used?

Information in a young person 's SET Plan will be accessible to the student, his or her parents or guardians, and the education or training provider. Other agencies may also have access to this information but this will be decided locally by those involved in developing the planning process.

The plan will be used to monitor and update the student 's progress in the senior phase. Personal information contained in the plan will be dealt with in accordance with the Queensland Government's privacy regime or the federal privacy legislation, whichever is applicable.

4. What does a SET Plan look like?

SET Plans come in many different shapes and sizes depending on the school the student has attended. State schools will officially call these documents SET Plans, while non-state schools may call them by another name.

SET Plans (or equivalent) require continuous updating as students refine their educational goals and aspirations.

Principals are responsible for ensuring that there are strong processes in place to support students to understand their future options for education, training and employment and to make good decisions about their learning pathways throughout the senior phase.

The Education Policies and Procedures Register contains more information on roles and responsibilities.

Guides for developing SET Plans are available from the Queensland Studies Authority website.

5. Can a SET Plan look different in different schools?

Yes, while the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) has developed guides for the plans, schools will use these guides to develop a locally appropriate format. For more information, visit the Queensland Studies Authority website.

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6. Who is responsible for ensuring that each student has a Senior Education and Training Plan?

The learning provider is responsible for ensuring all Year 10 students have a SET Plan (or equivalent). For most young people, this will be finalised during Year 10 at a school.

7. Who should look after the SET Plan?

Every young person has ownership and primary responsibility for maintaining his or her SET Plan (or equivalent). Schools will keep copies of the plan and assist young people to transfer their plans should they enrol with a new learning provider (with the student's permission).

An informed consent form (new window) (State schools) is available online to assist students to transfer their SET Plan.

8. What is the role of parents or guardians in developing the Senior Education and Training Plan?

Parents or guardians will be encouraged to help their children develop the plan in Year 10 and then support them during the next two years the Senior Phase of Learning.

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9. Does a young person working full-time under the age of 17 years need a Senior Education and Training Plan?

A SET Plan plays a vital role in helping young people determine what they will do in the senior phase. It is important that each student develops his or her SET Plan in Year 10.

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10. What does the registration of young people with the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) in Year 10 mean for young people?

During Year 10 or before young people turn 16, schools will be required to register, with the QSA, all students and their intended learning options for the Senior Phase of Learning. Once registered, a learning account will be created that will allow students to record their achievements during the senior phase of learning.

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11. If an employer offers a full-time job to a young person who has completed Year 10 or turned 16, will the employer be responsible for monitoring the Senior Education and Training Plans and sending information to the QSA?

No. Employers are not being asked to take on additional administrative responsibilities.

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