The Building Aspirations Get The Life You Love campaign grew out of National Career Development Week, which this year will be held from May 14-20.

Students are being told: "Your career is your life, your learning, and your work. It's not just a job. You've got to love it."

The campaign encourages and supports Australians to develop the skills to manage their careers, learning, work and lives, to take control of their future.

Career development benefits the individual and community at large, including enhancing economic growth and creating a more resilient workforce.

"Career development is about assisting all Australians to take responsibility for their life, learning and work," Career Industry Council of Australia spokeswoman Bernadette Gigliotti said.

The forums have been designed to inspire students to aspire to get the life they love through understanding and knowledge of their interests, skills, options and opportunities to make a successful transition into an increasingly complex labour market.

Ms Gigliotti said that, in its fifth year, the results of the campaign prove that getting the life you love takes more than just luck; it means actively managing your life, always learning, and being ready for change.

"From our interaction with individuals and careers providers across the Australian education, training, public, private and corporate sectors, it is evident that Australians of all ages and career stages often don't know why, how or where to get support with making career decisions.

"NCDW activities and the NCDW website, with its resources hub, are a vital source of helpful advice, inspiration and links to education, training and quality careers resources.

"The NCDW campaign is a crucial resource for the Australian community."

At a community forum held by NCDW in Victoria, a "Have Your Say" activity was conducted.

Of the 105 responses recorded to the question "What do you consider is the greatest challenge in your community to get the life you love?", 55 per cent indicated motivation.