WiseTech opens 2026 Earn & Learn path for school leavers

WiseTech Global has opened applications for its 2026 Earn & Learn intake, a four-year paid pathway that combines software engineering work with a computer science degree for Year 12 school leavers.

Applications close on 14 September. The programme targets high-performing students interested in software engineering and aims to widen access to early-career roles through paid work, mentoring and university fee coverage.

Established in 2023, Earn & Learn now has 125 students across its first three cohorts. Participants are enrolled in computer science degrees at universities including the University of Technology Sydney, the University of New South Wales, RMIT and Monash University.

Programme model

Participants work at WiseTech while studying and receive mentoring and structured learning alongside their university courses.

Applicants must demonstrate foundational coding knowledge through a technical test during the selection process. WiseTech highlighted several options students can use to build skills before applying, including KIK Innovation's Grok Academy, TAFE NSW, Harvard CS50 and the Girls Programming Network.

Chief executive Zubin Appoo said the programme aims to raise awareness of software engineering careers among school leavers and reduce barriers to entry.

"We want more Australian school leavers to be aware of, and choose to be part of, the huge career opportunities available to software engineers. Our Earn & Learn program provides high quality mentoring, removes financial barriers and creates a very supportive community that encourages curiosity and a thirst for problem solving, applied in the real world environment. Software engineering is a great career choice, and the constant advent of new technologies, particularly AI, means there's always more to learn and new directions to pursue.

"Earn & Learn participants are selected on merit where applicants have demonstrated a passion and ability in coding. The on-the-job learning approach has proven to be very effective: our Earn & Learners scored an average result of 90% across all first and second year core Computer Science subjects and many have been included in the Deans List for Academic Excellence at UTS. In addition, because they're embedded in teams at WiseTech, where they are supported by dedicated mentors, they learn job-ready skills such as problem solving, logical thinking, creativity, resilience, communications and - importantly - to ask for help.

"Having taken this merit-based approach we're proud that women make up 27% of the Earn & Learn program given that only 23% of students enrolled in computer science degrees across Australia are women, which drops to a staggering 17% if you exclude overseas students."

Student outcomes

The programme uses merit-based selection and focuses on students who have shown interest and aptitude in coding. WiseTech reported an average result of 90% across core first and second-year computer science subjects, with many participants included on UTS dean's lists for academic excellence.

WiseTech also highlighted gender participation in the cohort, with women representing 27% of Earn & Learn participants. That compares with 23% of students enrolled in computer science degrees across Australia, based on Australian Government Department of Education higher education analysis for 2023 enrolments. WiseTech said the share falls to 17% when overseas students are excluded.

Olivia Stewart, a software engineer at WiseTech, joined the first cohort in 2023. She has also worked with newer intakes, including tutoring participants during an initial learning block focused on basic coding skills.

Stewart said the combined work-and-study structure accelerated learning and gave earlier exposure to workplace problem-solving. She also pointed to the mentoring and peer networks built through the cohort model, and the impact of paid employment during study.

"Working at WiseTech while studying for your degree, means you're exposed to faster learning, at a higher level, than if you just studied at university. You get to solve hard problems sooner. I find it incredibly satisfying to tackle a problem where the answer is just out of reach - then work out a solution. I have a combination of direct and indirect support networks and am allocated a mentor who helps with both technical and broader life learning. In addition, because you join the program in a group and go through the program together, you build tight friendships and a social support group. Having a paid job while studying also helped me be more financially independent, allowing me to move out of home," Stewart said.

Company context

WiseTech develops software for the logistics execution sector. Its CargoWise platform is used by logistics companies across 195 countries, according to the company. WiseTech said its customer base includes 46 of the top 50 global third-party logistics providers and 24 of the 25 largest global freight forwarders.

Over the past five years, WiseTech has delivered more than 5,800 product enhancements to CargoWise. It continues to invest in product development alongside recruitment and training, including the Earn & Learn scheme.

With applications now open for the next intake, prospective candidates will need to demonstrate coding foundations during assessment as WiseTech expands its school-leaver pipeline into software engineering roles.