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The program is open to teachers, middle leaders, senior leaders and principals in NSW public schools with an interest in becoming a mentor. Participants cannot be in the first 3 years of their teaching career.

To be eligible, mentors must:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• have a current proficient careers adviser teacher role in an NSW public secondary school and have a minimum of 3 years’ teaching experience
• hold an approved careers qualification
• have the endorsement of your principal to become a program mentor

The Careers adviser mentoring program will offer up to 20 places for mentors.

Mentors will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills as part of the program. Mentors will have access to professional development including Lead and Aspire Mentoring Program (LAMP) delivered by School Leadership Institute, support from Career and Workplace Learning team and facilitated networking opportunities.

To enable participants to learn and practise mentoring skills and to reinforce these skills, the program will include two days of in-person professional learning (23 and 24 February 2026), seminars, and intersessional mentoring activities. These sessions are designed to support ongoing learning between scheduled events and encourage reflection on mentoring practices.

Throughout the program, participants will engage in continuous mentoring practice and online activities, including readings, podcasts, videos, and reflective exercises on their mentoring experiences.

As part of the LAMP training, participants are required to submit a reflection summary.

Mentors will be asked to support one new careers adviser (mentee) throughout the program. This will provide an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge gained during the training.

The department is committed to establishing a deliberate, holistic approach to mentoring. For the purpose of the mentoring program the relationship between the mentor and mentee is defined as the process between two individuals who share and build knowledge and expertise, and support. The frequency and length of engagement will be determined by the mentor and mentee with advice from the Leading and Aspiring Mentoring Program team.

The Lead and Aspire Mentoring Program team will be available at scheduled times throughout the program to answer any questions and/or support participants.

The Career and Workplace Learning (CWL) team will host a introductory session (30 minutes), 1-day in-person professional learning (Parramatta Office) and establish a community of practice to support mentors. The CWL can assist with accommodation and travel arrangements for participants based outside of Greater Sydney.

A key factor in building commitment to the mentoring process is the element of choice—particularly that mentees willingly choose to participate. To support this, the Career and Workplace Learning team will conduct an Expression of Interest (EOI) process allowing mentees to opt into the program. The mentor–mentee relationship will then be established collaboratively, ensuring it is tailored to the individual characteristics and needs of both parties.

Mentors who are already engaged in informal mentoring are encouraged to support the new careers advisers they work with by inviting them to submit an EOI for the mentee process.

Interested participants should:

• Read the Lead and Aspiring Mentoring program guide and the Careers Adviser Mentoring Program requirements.
• Discuss their Expression of Interest (EOI) with their principal, providing relevant information including available assistance for travel and accommodation for those outside Greater Sydney.
• Submit their EOI using the online form by the specified deadline, ensuring they answer two targeted questions as part of the application.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) assessment panel will be convened to review all submissions. The outcome of the panel’s assessment will be communicated to successful applicants within a specified timeframe.

Successful applicants are required to confirm their participation with principal endorsement. Careers advisers outside Greater Sydney should notify the Career and Workplace Learning team of any travel and accommodation requirements.

The assessment panel will also identify applicants to be placed on a waiting list.