Millicent Spencer
New analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data has been released showing an increased rate of higher education.
In 2021, more than half of people aged 15 and over had completed a non-school qualification. This was more than double the rate of people in 1981.
The gap between males and females attaining qualifications has also reversed over the last 40 years. In 1981 there were approximately 750,000 more males than females with a non-school qualifications whereas in 2021 there were 110,000 more females than males.
Gladstone Park Secondary College principal Veronica Hoy said since she started with the college in 2013, she has seen a large number of graduates go on to further study.
“In terms of trends this school has had a high proportion of children applying for tertiary education,” Ms Hoy said.
“The number of university choices has increased and what people are choosing to study has diversified.
“Universities are also making more prior offers to students [meaning] some students will know their university course before they get their ATAR which has been a game changer for them.”
Ms Hoy said she has not seen a trend in gendered applications for further study with both males and females equally applying to go onto tertiary education.
Next Monday students will be given their ATAR results which will determine their university offers.
“I’m feeling really confident ahead of next week,” Ms Hoy said.
“Students at the end of year were really happy to have got through a year of real life school.
“They were able to work more closely with teachers to get the assistance they needed and I’m really happy for them that they got a full final year.”
Ms Hoy said the students should trust in the thinking they have already put in around their university preferences and use their careers advisors if they are confused about their choices.
