Of people aged 15-19 years, 70% were participating in full-time study in 2011, with an additional 10% participating in part-time study. For 20-24 year olds, 27% were studying full-time and a further 12% were studying part-time. For people aged 25-64, full-time study (2%) was less common than part-time study (5%) (graph 12.21).
A high proportion of young people aged 15-24 years participate in study. Many young people continue in full-time education immediately after completing compulsory schooling, either continuing with further schooling or in other forms of education such as TAFE or university. In 2011, 72% of 15-19 year olds were in full-time education (including 52% still at school) and a further 7% were participating in part-time study (table 12.22). In the 20-24 years age cohort, 29% were undertaking full-time study and 11% part-time study. People over 24 years may return to study in order to upgrade their skills or to gain new skills; almost one in ten (9%) people aged 25-64 years were studying in 2010, 3% full-time and 6% part-time.
12.22EDUCATION PARTICIPATION RATES, By age—May 2011
15-19 years
20-24 years
25-64 years
%
%
%
Attending school
52.0
0.1
-
Attending tertiary(a)
Full-time
19.5
29.3
2.6
Part-time
7.1
11.1
5.9
Total
26.5
40.4
8.5
Total Attending
78.6
40.6
8.5
Not attending
21.4
59.4
91.5
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
- nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
(a) Educational institutions other than schools.
Source: ABS data available on request, 2011 Survey of Education and Work.
EDUCATION AND WORK
Many people combine work and study, with individual choices based on perceptions of which level of study and type of work will best help them achieve their goals. In May 2011, labour force participation was greatest for those undertaking a Certificate III or IV (83% of those aged 15-24) and lowest among those in school (33%). Work and study combinations are influenced by age (graph 12.23). Students aged 15-24 years were less likely to be employed in 2011 than students aged 25-64 years (except for those studying at the Certificate III/IV level).
A high proportion of young people combine study and employment. Of 1.2 million young people aged 15-19 years enrolled in study, 513,000 (44%) had either full-time or part-time employment. Among people aged 20–24 years enrolled in study, 435,000 (64%) out of 680,000 had full-time or part-time employment (table 12.24).
The term 'fully engaged' refers to an individual's participation in work and/or study considered equivalent to a full-time load. Full-time engagement includes full-time work, full-time study, or a combination of both part-time work and part-time study. Young people who are not fully engaged with work or study over a prolonged period may be at risk of longer-term marginal attachment to the labour market.
In 2011, 86% of young people aged 15-19 years and 78% of those aged 20-24 years were fully engaged in education/training or work (table 12.24). Conversely, 14% and 22% of each age group, respectively, were not fully engaged. While some young people were participating in education or work at a part-time level, 8% of all 15-19 year olds and 12% of 20-24 year olds were not engaged at all in education/training or work.
12.24YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION, By labour force status—May 2011
ENROLLED IN ALL STUDY(a)
Full-time
Part-time
Total
Not enrolled
Total
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000
15-19 YEARS
In the labour force
Employed
Full-time
10.0
83.2
93.2
108.3
201.5
Part-time
405.7
14.1
419.7
82.3
502.0
Total
415.7
97.3
513.0
190.6
703.5
Unemployed
65.1
4.7
69.9
50.7
120.6
Not in the labour force
583.3
5.9
589.3
64.3
653.5
Total
1 064.1
107.9
1 172.1
305.5
1 477.6
20-24 YEARS
In the labour force
Employed
Full-time
23.2
134.3
157.5
613.2
770.7
Part-time
241.2
35.8
277.0
160.2
437.2
Total
264.4
170.1
434.5
773.4
1 207.9
Unemployed
26.2
6.7
32.9
80.4
113.2
Not in the labour force
201.1
11.7
212.9
110.9
323.7
Total
491.7
188.5
680.2
964.6
1 644.8
(a) All persons participating in education, including those whose study will not lead to a qualification.
Source: ABS data available on request, 2011 Survey of Education and Work.
Statistics contained in the Year Book are the most recent available at the time of preparation. In many cases, the ABS website and the websites of other organisations provide access to more recent data. Each Year Book table or graph and the bibliography at the end of each chapter provides hyperlinks to the most up to date data release where available.
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This page first published 24 May 2012, last updated 11 November 2015
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PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION
Of people aged 15-19 years, 70% were participating in full-time study in 2011, with an additional 10% participating in part-time study. For 20-24 year olds, 27% were studying full-time and a further 12% were studying part-time. For people aged 25-64, full-time study (2%) was less common than part-time study (5%) (graph 12.21).
A high proportion of young people aged 15-24 years participate in study. Many young people continue in full-time education immediately after completing compulsory schooling, either continuing with further schooling or in other forms of education such as TAFE or university. In 2011, 72% of 15-19 year olds were in full-time education (including 52% still at school) and a further 7% were participating in part-time study (table 12.22). In the 20-24 years age cohort, 29% were undertaking full-time study and 11% part-time study. People over 24 years may return to study in order to upgrade their skills or to gain new skills; almost one in ten (9%) people aged 25-64 years were studying in 2010, 3% full-time and 6% part-time.
EDUCATION AND WORK
Many people combine work and study, with individual choices based on perceptions of which level of study and type of work will best help them achieve their goals. In May 2011, labour force participation was greatest for those undertaking a Certificate III or IV (83% of those aged 15-24) and lowest among those in school (33%). Work and study combinations are influenced by age (graph 12.23). Students aged 15-24 years were less likely to be employed in 2011 than students aged 25-64 years (except for those studying at the Certificate III/IV level).
A high proportion of young people combine study and employment. Of 1.2 million young people aged 15-19 years enrolled in study, 513,000 (44%) had either full-time or part-time employment. Among people aged 20–24 years enrolled in study, 435,000 (64%) out of 680,000 had full-time or part-time employment (table 12.24).
The term 'fully engaged' refers to an individual's participation in work and/or study considered equivalent to a full-time load. Full-time engagement includes full-time work, full-time study, or a combination of both part-time work and part-time study. Young people who are not fully engaged with work or study over a prolonged period may be at risk of longer-term marginal attachment to the labour market.
In 2011, 86% of young people aged 15-19 years and 78% of those aged 20-24 years were fully engaged in education/training or work (table 12.24). Conversely, 14% and 22% of each age group, respectively, were not fully engaged. While some young people were participating in education or work at a part-time level, 8% of all 15-19 year olds and 12% of 20-24 year olds were not engaged at all in education/training or work.