Key Facts:
A 2022 Monash University study of nearly 2,800 students in Years 10 to 12 revealed that one-third of young women felt they lacked enough information to make informed career choices.
According to a Grattan Institute study, 1 in 5 students leave university without a degree but with debt, and 40% said they would not have enrolled if they had been better informed.
A YouthInsight survey (Aug 2024) found that 19% of prospective students had no idea how much a degree would cost, and 32% understood they'd incur HELP debt—but not that it would be indexed annually. Almost 41% had no idea of the full cost https://youthinsight.com.au/gen-z/what-the-hecs-why-many-young-aussies-dont-realise-the-hidden-costs-of-student-loans-until-its-too-late/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Melbourne, September 2025
A groundbreaking new gap year program is reimagining the future for young women across Australia. Empower Her Future is not an alternative to university, but an AND, giving participants both real-world experience and the confidence to make informed decisions about their future study or career.
The program provides business students with unique access to real workplace experience, weekly mentoring from senior female leaders, and the chance to explore industries of the future such as technology, cyber, business, and digital transformation. Unlike traditional gap years, Empower Her Future reduces the risk of accumulating HECS debt for degrees that may not fit and opens doors to lucrative career pathways.
In a major advantage for participants, many universities recognise the program as equivalent to a first year, enabling entry directly into second year in certain courses. Additionally, employer connections formed during the program often extend into internship opportunities, providing alternate pathways into the workforce.
Lisa Sweeney, CEO of Business in Heels, says the program is a game-changer for students and parents alike: "For too long, a gap year has been seen as time out. Empower Her Future turns that year into time invested. Parents can feel confident their daughters are building skills, networks, and clarity before committing to university, and students discover industries and careers they may never have considered." And there will still be time for them to have a part-time job to save up for some travel.
Nick Hannett, CEO of SEDA says, "At the core of SEDA has always been practical, applied learning that is connected to industry. We're excited to work with Business in Heels on our shared vision of empowering young people, as we expand our diploma offerings into the business sector empowering young women to shape their future careers"
