6227.0 - Education and Work, Australia, May 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/12/2002   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


PARTICIPATION

In May 2002 there were 12,926,800 persons aged 15-64 years in the scope of the survey, of whom 2,390,500 (18%) were enrolled in a course of study. Approximately 909,200 (38%) of these enrolled persons were attending a Higher education institution, 682,100 (29%) were at school, 562,000 (24%) were at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions, and 237,300 (10%) were at other educational institutions.

Of persons enrolled in a course of study in May 2002, 52% were females, 44% were aged 15-19 years, and 63% were attending study full-time.

Study leading to a qualification

Approximately 2,277,700 (95%) persons who were enrolled in a course of study were enrolled in a course leading to a qualification.

The proportion of persons aged 15-64 years enrolled in a course leading to a qualification increased from 16% in 1994 to 18% in 2002.

Of persons who were enrolled in a course leading to a qualification, more than one in four (28%) were studying for a Bachelor degree, of whom 45% were aged between 20 and 24 years, and 27% were aged between 15 and 19 years.

Other than Mixed field programmes, which includes persons studying for Year 12 or below, the most commonly reported main field of education of current study for persons enrolled in a course leading to a qualification was Management and commerce (19%), followed by Society and culture (12%).


EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Highest non-school qualification

The proportion of persons whose highest non-school qualification was a Bachelor degree or above increased from 10% in 1992 to 18% in 2002, and the proportion of persons whose highest non-school qualification was an Advanced diploma or below decreased slightly, from 32% in 1992 to 30% in 2002.

Among the 6,231,000 persons with a non-school qualification, the most commonly reported fields of education for the highest non-school qualification were Management and commerce (23%) and Engineering and related technologies (21%).

Level of highest educational attainment

Approximately 30% of persons aged 15-64 years reported their level of highest educational attainment as being Year 10 or below. The level of highest educational attainment of a further 20% was Year 12, while 15% had a Certificate III or IV as their level of highest educational attainment, and 18% had a Bachelor degree or higher.

Just under one-third (31%) of all persons with a Bachelor degree or higher were aged 25-34 years, while just over one-quarter (27%) were aged between 35 and 44 years. One in five (20%) persons with a level of highest educational attainment of Year 12 or below were aged between 35 and 44 years.

Persons whose level of highest educational attainment was a Bachelor degree or higher were more likely to be employed than those whose highest attainment was Year 12 or below (86% compared with 61%).


STARTING A COURSE OF STUDY

Approximately 375,800 persons who were not enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in 2001 were enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in May 2002. Of this group, 32% were aged between 25 and 34 years and a further 23% were aged 20-24 years, 55% were female, while two-thirds (68%) were employed. Of these employed starters, 65% worked full-time.


LEAVING A COURSE OF STUDY

In the period January 2001 to May 2002, 889,700 persons had left a course of study leading to a qualification. Of this group, 25% were aged between 25 and 34 years, 22% were aged 20-24 years, and 79% were employed. Of these employed leavers, 75% worked full-time.