From 1 January 2010, there is a new compulsory education age of 17 for all ACT students.
Students will be required to participate in full-time education, training or employment until completing Year 12 or equivalent, or reaching age 17, whichever occurs first.
Students who have not turned 17 and who are looking to undertake work-related training or employment will need to seek an Approval Statement (School Leaving Age Exeption Certificate) from the ACT Department of Education and Training to do so. This is required to ensure the training or employment meets the new legislative requirements and the Department's guidelines.
Further details are available from: https://www.education.act.gov.au/ and School Leaving Age document
The reform follows recent amendments to the Education Act 2004 (ACT). These changes aim to increase educational opportunities for all young people and lead to improved employment prospects.