A Start in Life

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A Start in Life For 100+ years, we’ve believed in what’s possible for young Australians. www.astartinlife.org.au

We provide tailored support to students aged 4–24 in NSW and ACT, helping them stay in school and build futures they’re proud of. For over 100 years, A Start in Life has been helping young Australians access education where financial disadvantage impacts their education – giving them the chance to learn, grow and thrive just like their peers. Our mission is to create a brighter future for young Australians by empowering them with skills, guidance and financial support. Through our three programs, we support students in primary school, high school, university and TAFE with financial assistance, one-on-one mentoring, workshops and skills training, as well as access to resources, activities and experiences that enrich learning and wellbeing. We’ve walked alongside thousands of students – from children cared for by single parents and teenagers putting themselves through high school, to tertiary students who’ve moved hundreds of kilometres away from their rural towns to pursue their dreams. Receiving no government funding, everything we achieve is thanks to the generosity of our donors and community. Together, we’re nurturing and igniting young minds, unlocking potential, and opening doors to brighter futures. "The scholarship program has not only provided me with financial assistance but also with a community of mentors who have been invaluable in my academic journey." - Artie, university student

As the first week of HSC exams wraps up, we wanted to say it plainly: we’re right behind you.The first week is a big one...
16/10/2026

As the first week of HSC exams wraps up, we wanted to say it plainly: we’re right behind you.

The first week is a big one. Whether it went exactly to plan or threw you a few curveballs, you’ve shown up and done the hard thing, and that counts for a lot.

Be kind to yourself this weekend. Rest, eat properly, and give yourself a break before the next round. And if you’re feeling the pressure or just need someone in your corner, reach out. That’s what we’re here for.

You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back.

We're thrilled to welcome Dr Sunil Badami as our special guest Co-Host and Auctioneer for “Stories of Resilience - Stude...
14/10/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Dr Sunil Badami as our special guest Co-Host and Auctioneer for “Stories of Resilience - Student Art Exhibition and Auction”. A respected broadcaster, author and academic, Sunil's work has appeared across many of Australia's leading media outlets, he appears regularly on ABC TV and radio.

Throughout his career, Sunil has championed the power of education, creativity and storytelling to inspire, connect and create opportunity. His warmth, humour and gift for storytelling will help bring to life the stories behind the artwork, the students we support, and the lasting impact that access to education can have on a young person's future.

Thank you, Sunil. We're honoured to have you join us for what promises to be an inspiring evening of creativity, connection and community.

Learn more about Dr Sunil Badami at: https://sunilbadami.com
Get your tickets here: https://shorturl.at/f9FjU

11/10/2026

Take 10 with Kathleen: what makes a good learning environment?

When people think about where learning happens, they usually picture a classroom. For many of the students we support, just as much depends on what surrounds them outside school hours: a quiet place to study, a desk, reliable internet, and a device that works.

In this episode, Kathleen quick fire answers how space and design impacts learning and what it means for the young people A Start in Life supports.

Watch the full episode 👇

09/10/2026

Great design isn't just about how a building looks.

We toured Meriden Senior School's award-winning Design and Creative Arts building with LEA NSW and ASBA NSW: sculptural, sustainable, and built around one idea. Good spaces help students learn, create and thrive.

That’s exactly why A Start in Life is proud to have the support of LEA NSW. Because every young person deserves an environment, and an education, that gives them a real shot.

Read more about the day: https://www.astartinlife.org.au/about-us/insights-and-updates/learning-tour-meriden-senior-school-daca-building/

Marsden Park Anglican College's new Learning Hub is more than a building. Walk through it and the first thing that stops...
09/10/2026

Marsden Park Anglican College's new Learning Hub is more than a building. Walk through it and the first thing that stops you isn't the architecture.

It's how the students have embodied the space, highlighting their own ceramics, paintings and sculpture, on the walls and shelves throughout. A Start in Life joined LEA NSW and ASBA NSW to tour the space and see how good design supports creative learning. Read more about the school - https://www.astartinlife.org.au/about-us/insights-and-updates/learning-tour-meriden-senior-school-daca-building/

08/10/2026

20 students, 20 blank canvases, and one night where every piece could change someone's school year.

Earlier this year, our students spent a day at an art excursion with the freedom to create whatever they dreamt. What they made is bold and honest, and each piece hangs alongside the student's own story, shared with their family's blessing.

"Stories of Resilience" is A Start in Life's first student art exhibition and auction. Every dollar raised goes straight into our education programs, covering the things that hold students back, like an outgrown uniform, an excursion the family can't afford, or a laptop that's out of reach.

🗓 Thursday 19 November, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
📍 Space, 110 Kippax St, Surry Hills
🎟 $78.50 (incl. GST and platform fees)

Tickets via https://shorturl.at/Dl80c

Want your organisation involved on the night? Sponsorship packages are open now, so send us a DM.

For a uni student, a laptop decides whether you can keep up with your course at all.Lectures, readings, assignments and ...
07/10/2026

For a uni student, a laptop decides whether you can keep up with your course at all.

Lectures, readings, assignments and library databases all live online now, so a student without a reliable computer starts every week behind. For Keira, a laptop through A Start in Life meant she could get to her classes and reach the resources her degree depended on.

You can help the next student get the tools they need to stay in study. Tap the link in bio to give 💛

The aim is that twice a year, everyone at VivCourt gets $10,000 to give to any charitable cause they choose.This year, o...
07/10/2026

The aim is that twice a year, everyone at VivCourt gets $10,000 to give to any charitable cause they choose.

This year, one of their team put A Start in Life forward to colleagues. The gift that followed is now covering school fees, uniforms and the cost of staying in class for primary school students who would otherwise go without.

What stood out to us is how it started, with one person willing to make the case to their workplace. Kathleen calls that courage, and we'd love to see more of it. Thank you soo much Vivienne Court Trading!
Read how the gift came together and what it pays for 👇 https://shorturl.at/M1vUU

Where did life take you after A Start in Life?Maybe you're fresh out of uni, a few years into your career, or still work...
06/10/2026

Where did life take you after A Start in Life?

Maybe you're fresh out of uni, a few years into your career, or still working it out. Either way, we'd love to hear the story over a drink.

On Wednesday 14 October we're getting our alumni together at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel for a relaxed evening of catching up. Drop in from 5:30pm, stay as long as you like, and reconnect with familiar faces (and a few new ones). Nibbles are on us, and the bar's open for drinks.

It's free, but please register so we can sort the catering: https://shorturl.at/CsvVl

Know someone who was part of the program? Tag them so they don't miss out.

Address

Suite 702, 370 Pitt Street
Haymarket, NSW
2000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61292643017

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