SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
PARTICIPATION
In May 2003, there were 13,075,100 persons aged 15–64 years in the scope of the survey, of whom 2,435,800 (19%) were enrolled in a course of study. Approximately 901,300 (37%) of these enrolled persons were attending a Higher education institution, 701,900 (29%) were at school, 577,100 (24%) were at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions, and 255,500 (10%) were at other educational institutions.
Of persons enrolled in a course of study in May 2003, 53% were females, 43% were aged 15–19 years, and 63% were attending study full-time.
Study leading to a qualification
Approximately 2,338,100 (96%) 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 May 1993 to 18% in May 2003.
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 46% were aged between 20 and 24 years, and 26% 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 (18%), followed by Society and culture (13%).
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Level of highest non-school qualification
The proportion of persons with a non-school qualification increased from 39% in May 1993 to 49% in May 2003. This increase was mainly in persons whose highest non-school qualification was a Bachelor Degree or above (10% in May 1993 to 18% in May 2003). The proportion of persons whose highest non-school qualification was an Advanced Diploma or below increased slightly, from 29% in 1993 to 30% in 2003.
Among the 6,414,500 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%).
Persons with a non-school qualification were more likely to be employed (81%) than those without a non-school qualification (61%). Employed persons with a non-school qualification are more likely to be full-time workers (77%) than employed persons without a non-school qualification (63%).
Level of highest educational attainment
Approximately 29% 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 highest educational attainment, and 18% had a Bachelor degree or higher.
STARTING A COURSE OF STUDY
Approximately 391,700 persons who were not enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in 2002 were enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in May 2003. Of this group, 32% were aged between 25 and 34 years and a further 23% were aged 20–24 years, 57% were female, while two-thirds (69%) were employed. Of these employed starters, 63% worked full-time.
LEAVING A COURSE OF STUDY
In the period January 2002 to May 2003, 949,600 persons had left a course of study leading to a qualification. Of this group, 25% were aged between 25 and 34 years, 24% were aged 20–24 years, and 80% were employed. Of these employed leavers, 74% worked full-time.
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