Australia’s Next Gen Entrepreneurs Could Emerge from this School

Arethusa College is defined by legislation as a “special assistance school”. That means they don’t charge tuition fees - only a small resource allowance if parents have the ability to pay.

The team of dedicated teaching and support staff believe in the value and potential of every young person and shape school around their needs and interests to set them up for the future. They are optimistic that students will emerge as Australia’s future business disruptors and Gen Alpha entrepreneurs from the classrooms of the south-east Queensland college.

CEO Mick Cross says young people at the college have the creativity, troubleshooting skills and resilience to innovate and challenge the status quo.

“Many of our young people have had to overcome adversity. That often gives them a unique perspective and open mind to new ideas and ways of doing things.

“They’re also part of a generation that has grown up with technology, experienced the disruption of a global pandemic and are now living with and using artificial intelligence,” he said.

“When young people find the thing they’re interested in and are given the resources to develop their passion for it, supported by adults who believe in them, there’s no limit to where it can take them.”

Arethusa College offered its students the chance to study a Certificate III in New Business and Entrepreneurship for the first time in 2024, a nationally-recognised vocational qualification that equips them with the knowledge, skills, imagination and courage to create a business start-up.

“This course allows students to start the business ideation process in school, where they have the freedom and support to get it wrong until they get it right; where they can research business opportunities, assess market appetite, forecast sales, and shark tank their proposals,” according to Arethusa College Head of Vocational Pathways Tony Byrnes.

Eight Year 11s from two of the College’s eight south-east Queensland campuses took up the course in its inaugural year in 2024.

However, Mr Byrnes said that number had more than tripled, with more than 38 Year 11 students from five campuses signing up to study the qualification in 2025.

The Certificate III in New Business and Entrepreneurship is one of six industry-recognised qualifications - the others being construction, hospitality, volunteering, sports coaching and employment pathways - Arethusa College is delivering after achieving Registered Training Organisation (RTO) status.

Mr Byrnes said as an RTO, the College could give students the opportunity to study as many qualifications as they wanted on campus, delivered by qualified trainers with industry experience.

“This opens up new learning and employment opportunities for our young people, in a safe and flexible way that meets their individual needs, as well as the demands of industry,” he said 

“From my 15 years’ experience working in secondary schools and setting up vocational programs, time is a major barrier to young people completing vocational qualifications.

“In most cases, students can only start a vocational qualification at a certain time of year and must complete it by a set deadline.

“At Arethusa College, students in Years 10-12 can commence a certificate course at any time throughout the year and take the time they need to complete it - even if that means having a few attempts at achieving competency.

“Our pathways program is structured to do everything we can to set our young people up for success as highly employable, industry-ready, qualified graduates.”
In 2025, 100 per cent of students in Years 10-12 are studying at least one of the six vocational training courses being taught by the college as part of their individualised learning program."

Watch video about training and employment pathways the college is creating for young people: https://vimeo.com/contentcrew/review/952182412/8685fd72cf