build your innovation-driven future
Startup Year at Western empowers innovators across a wide range of backgrounds to become founders of startup companies and innovation leaders in the workforce.
Participants of Startup Year at Western will receive an accredited Graduate Certificate in Start Up Scale Up.
What is Startup Year?
Startup Year is a new initiative established by the Australian Government to support university students and graduates in becoming innovative entrepreneurs, solving real-world problems, creating meaningful solutions, and making a lasting impact.
Startup Year aims to encourage innovation and support for Australia’s startup community, including social innovation and community-based entrepreneurship.
Startup Year is a Government-subsidised Program for eligible candidates.
Eligibility
- a student in the final year of an undergraduate course of study; or
- enrolled in a postgraduate course of study; or
- completed a recognised degree from an accredited higher education provider in Australia
Startup Year at Western
As part of Startup Year, Western Sydney University’s Graduate Certificate in Start Up Scale Up provides a unique opportunity for students to pursue a choice of two streams:
- building or growing their own venture (Entrepreneurs stream) for those seeking to begin, or are already are working on their startup company
- developing and honing their innovation skills (Industry Professionals Stream), for those working as an industry professional working within an organisation such as an SME, corporate, government agency, social enterprise or not-for-profit organisation.
Graduate Certificate in
Start Up Scale Up
Delivered as a partnership between the university’s School of Business and Launch Pad, the university’s Technology Business Incubator, the Start-up Scale-up course provides a unique and real-world business environment where students will develop and apply their skills and knowledge within a dynamic innovation support ecosystem.
The course offers two dynamic workstreams to suit individual entrepreneurial aspirations, both with the opportunity to develop international experience through an optional Global Mobility Program:
Entrepreneurs Stream
Launch your startup venture
A platform for students interested in building or growing their own venture or startup idea. Students will learn the fundamental skills integral to starting or scaling up a business to meet local and global market demands and opportunities.
Industry Professional Stream
Hone your business innovation skills
A platform for students interested in building or growing their own venture or startup idea. Students will learn the fundamental skills integral to starting or scaling up a business to meet local and global market demands and opportunities.
Available campuses
Study Mode
Half year full-time
Start Time
Q3 (24/06/2024)
Delivery
Evening classes
The Benefits
Why Participate in Startup Year at Western?
Program Structure
Fees and delivery
What Financial Support is Available?
Undergraduates in their final year and current postgraduate students are eligible for a STARTUP-HELP loan, along with recent graduates. Students selected for STARTUP-HELP places will also be eligible for income support, where they meet other eligibility requirements.
STARTUP-HELP Eligibility
To get a STARTUP-HELP loan, you must:
- be one of the following:
- an Australian citizen; or
- a permanent humanitarian visa holder (or eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder) who will live in Australia for the entire Startup Year course; or
- a New Zealand Special Category Visa (SCV) holder (or permanent resident who was former eligible NZ SCV holder) who meets the long-term residency requirements and who will live in Australia for the entire Startup Year course;
- a pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder who is resident in Australia for the entire Startup Year course (note: a PEV holder becomes eligible from 1 February 2024)
- be either:
- a student in the final year of an undergraduate course of study; or
- enrolled in a postgraduate course of study; or
- a recent student who completed a bachelor degree (or higher level qualification) no more than 36 months before commencing the Startup Year course;
- be enrolled in a Startup Year course at an Australian University or University College on or before the census date, and remain enrolled at the end of the census date;
- be primarily studying on an Australian campus;
- submit the Request for a STARTUP-HELP loan form (known as the STARTUP-HELP eCAF) on or before the census date;
- not have received a STARTUP-HELP loan more than once before;
- meet the tax file number (TFN) requirements – you can start your application for a TFN now at www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/tax-file-number/apply-for-a-tfn(Opens in a new tab/window);
- meet the Unique Student Identifier (USI) requirements; and
- be assessed as a genuine student and as academically suitable for your course.
More information about STARTUP-HELP and how to apply can be found here.
The School of Business has been awarded AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation for its excellence in business education.
Break away from the traditional corporate career path!
“Through my studies, I am equipping myself with the necessary knowledge and competencies to not only succeed in any business setting, but also lay the foundation for achieving my goal of becoming an entrepreneur.”
— Clint Carver, Graduate Diploma in Start Up Scale Up
Your Career
As a graduate of Startup Year, you can look forward to career opportunities in:
- Venture Building
- Corporate Innovation
Shape the world's future
at the #1 Uni*
Want to know more?
We’re here to provide clarity.
Contact us at launchpad@westernsydney.edu.au
