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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

GENERAL PATTERNS

• Some 1,456,500 persons aged 15-24 years were attending an educational institution in September 1999, representing 55% of the population in this age range. In 1994 the education participation rate was 49%.

• There were 11% (144,700 more students in total in September 1999 than in 1994. School student numbers were up by 5% (37,300) and tertiary students numbers up by 17% (107,400). Increases in full-time attendance (24% or 92,400) accounted for most of the movement in tertiary student numbers (table 7).
  
  

• Some 734,700 persons aged 15-24 were attending school, 425,900 persons were attending higher education institutions, and 237,100 persons were at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. The remaining 58,900 persons were at business colleges, industry skills centres or other educational institutions (table 1).

• The education participation rate for 15-24 year olds was highest in the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria at 59%, while New South Wales (57%) was also above the national average of 55% (table 3).

• School participation for persons aged 15-19

• Of 15-24 year olds born overseas, 62% were attending an educational institution in September 1999, compared to 53% of persons born in Australia (table 4).

• The school participation rate of persons aged 15-19 years is 1% higher in 1999 than in 1994, and is currently at its highest rate (55%) for this period (table 7).

• Participation rates in tertiary education by 15-24 year olds went from 23% in 1994 to 27% in 1999. Two-thirds of all students were employed with 40% of these working 35 hours or more per week (table 7).

• There were 425,900 higher education students aged 15-24 years in September 1999, 75,000 more than in September 1993 and 55,800 more than in 1996. TAFE students numbered 237,100 in September 1999, a decrease of 4,300 from the 1993 figure and 3,400 less than in 1996 (table 13).

• Some 735,100 males and 721,300 females aged 15-24 were attending educational institutions in September 1999. There were 32,500 more females than males in higher education institutions (table 1).

• In September 1999, 674,700 persons were studying for a recognised educational qualification at a tertiary institution, 59% (398,600) of whom were studying for a bachelor degree or higher qualification. A further 24% (165,200) were in vocational courses, and 13% (90,700) were studying for an undergraduate or associate diploma (table 9).

• Of the 276,200 former non-government school students studying for a recognised educational qualification at a tertiary institution, 69% were studying for a bachelor degree or higher qualification. The equivalent proportion for former government school students was 52% (table 8).

• Of participants in higher education seeking a recognised educational qualification, 53% had attended government schools. In comparison, the figure for TAFE was 71%. Overall, 59% of participants in tertiary education had attended government schools(table 8).

• Of the 225,100 female tertiary students who were employed in September 1999, 60,000 (27%) were working full-time and studying part-time, and 135,000 (60%) were working part-time and studying full-time. Of the 244,900 male tertiary students who were employed, 113,000 (46%) were working full-time and studying part-time, and 106,700 (44%) were working part-time and studying full-time (table 6).