Every Victorian student will receive careers guidance from the age of 12 as part of a state government overhaul of careers education.

The changes will be rolled out next year after a review commissioned by the Education Department found careers education started too late in government schools, varied in quantity and quality and did not provide enough meaningful work experience.

Year 11 student Wren Gillett thinks careers education is offered too late in Victorian schools Credit:Joe Armao

“Career education must begin earlier than Years 10 to 12, and it must reflect the fact that students’ needs evolve as school progresses,” the plan states.

From next year, Year 7 and 8 students will take part in mandatory "career self-exploration workshops", where they will assess their strengths, set goals and discuss different jobs.