6227.0 - Education and Work, Australia, May 2009 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/11/2009   
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MEDIA RELEASE
November 24, 2009
Embargo: 11.30 am (AEDT) 24/11/2009
88/2009
Information technology study loses popularity

The proportion of people studying information technology decreased from 9% in 2001 to 3% in 2009. The most common field of education (for persons enrolled in a non-school qualification) was Management and commerce (26%), followed by Society and culture (19%), according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

About 2.7 million people (19% of all Australians aged 15–64) were enrolled in a course of study in May 2009 compared to 18% in 2001.

Qualifications such as Bachelor Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates are being undertaken by more Australians than in previous years. However, the number of apprentices dropped from 188,700 in 2008 to 163,000 in 2009.

The number of school leavers not engaged in education or work increased from 36,300 people in 2008 to 60,800 people in 2009, and increase of 67%.

For persons undertaking study, 38% were attending higher education institutions; 28% were at school, and 21% were at TAFEs. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of students were studying full-time, and under half (42%) were in the 15 to 19 age group.

The proportion of people with non-school qualifications has increased to 55% of Australians aged 15-64 and over, up from 47% in 2001. The proportion of Australians with a Bachelor Degree or higher has increased, from 17% in 2001 to 23% in 2009.

The most commonly reported fields of education for people with a non-school qualification were Management and commerce (24%) and Engineering and related technologies (18%).

Most people (83%) with non-school qualifications were employed.

Over three-quarters (77%) of employed people with non-school qualifications were employed full-time, compared to 62% of employed people who did not hold a non-school qualification.

Almost a third (31%) of people aged 15-64 years reported Year 11 or below as their highest educational qualification.

Further details can be found in Education and Work, Australia, May 2009 (cat. no. 6227.0).

Media notes:

  • Non-school qualifications are awarded for educational attainments other than those of pre-primary, primary or secondary education. They include qualifications at the Postgraduate Degree level, Master Degree level, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate level, Bachelor Degree level, Advanced Diploma and Diploma level, and Certificates I, II, III and IV levels.
  • When using ABS statistics, please cite the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) as the source.