Engineers Australia has welcomed a move to allow all New South Wales public school students to study a broader range of Higher School Certificate (HSC) subjects, saying greater access to advanced learning opportunities will help remove barriers preventing students from pursuing engineering and other STEM careers.

The New South Wales Government this week announced the expansion of the state’s virtual school, Aurora College, allowing students across the state to access subjects that may not be available at their local school, regardless of where they live.

Engineers Australia Chief Engineer Katherine Richards AM CSC said the move would help address long-standing inequities faced by students in regional, rural and outer metropolitan communities.

“Too often, a student’s future opportunities are shaped not by their ability or ambition, but by the subjects their school can realistically provide,” Mrs Richards said.

“For many students interested in engineering, advanced mathematics and physics are essential pathways. When those subjects are unavailable, it can unintentionally close the door on future careers before students have even had the chance to explore them.”

Mrs Richards said expanding access through virtual learning would help level the playing field and strengthen Australia’s future engineering pipeline.

“Engineering is one of the most critical professions underpinning Australia’s future, from infrastructure and housing to energy, defence and advanced manufacturing,” she said.

“We know Australia faces significant engineering skills shortages in the years ahead. Improving access to STEM education is one of the most important long-term investments we can make.”

She said the initiative also reflected changing expectations around accessibility and modern education delivery.

“Where a student lives should not determine the opportunities available to them,” Mrs Richards said.

“Technology now gives us the ability to connect students with high-quality teaching and specialised subjects, no matter their postcode. That accessibility matters, particularly for students in smaller schools where subject choice can be limited.”

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