Graduate rates of employment remained strong last year, while the barriers between university and vocational education continue to come down, according to the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey released today.
New data shows 75.4 per cent of undergraduates were employed full-time within four to six months of completing their studies – an increase from 74 per cent in 2024.
Labour force participation by graduates remained solid, with a participation rate of 88 per cent for undergraduates, 93 per cent for postgraduates and around 92 per cent for postgraduate researchers.
The report also showed more people are now moving between university and Vocational Education and Training (VET).
Since 2021, the proportion of students finishing their undergraduate degree and moving into a certificate-level or an advanced diploma course doubled to 10 per cent.
The Albanese Government is working to deliver a more joined up tertiary education system.
The Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) has been tasked with leading the development of a Tertiary Roadmap.
It will identify the next steps to make it easier for students to move between VET and university. This will make it easier for students to get the skills they need and Australia needs.
The 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey reports are available at qilt.edu.au.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
“These results are encouraging. Graduates are finding jobs and it’s becoming easier for students to move between uni and TAFE.
“We are not going to fix the skills shortages we have, and will have, unless we break down the artificial barriers between uni and TAFE.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles:
“More Australians are making the most of what a mix of TAFE and university pathways can offer – the right skills to stand out in the workforce.
“We’re backing Australians to do this through Free TAFE, which has now seen 742,000 enrolments in three years, as well as 245,000 course completions so far.
“TAFE and university, not TAFE or university, is a good thing for workers and employers. Our Government is focused on making easier for Australians to get the skills they want, to do the jobs we need.”
