Universities are producing the skilled workers the Australian economy needs, with new government data showing graduates are finding work faster and earning more than they were 12 months ago.
According to the 2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal, 91.5 per cent of graduates were in full-time work three years after completing their studies and were making a median salary of $80,000 a year.
This compares with 88.9 per cent of graduates who were earning a median salary of $77,000 last year.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said university graduates were in high demand as Australia’s employment market continued its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These figures reinforce what we already know – that a university education sets people up for a fulfilling career with greater job security and higher pay,” Ms Jackson said.
“As we recover from the impact of COVID-19, university graduates are continuing to benefit from a strong employment market in which their skills are highly sought after.
“With the worst of the pandemic behind us and a skills crisis starting to bite, it’s critical that we continue with the job of developing the skills of Australian students to maintain a homegrown pipeline of talent.
“A university degree helps people broaden their horizons and get the job they want while ensuring employers can access the workers they need to deal with the competitive pressures.
“And with more than half of the one million jobs expected to be created in the next five years requiring a university degree, we need more university-educated workers entering our workforce, not less.
“It is these workers that will drive our nation and economy ahead.”
