Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Teaching, Learning & Funding
    • Research & Innovation
    • International
    • Diversity & Equity
    • Safety & Wellbeing
    • Health
    • Copyright
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
    • University Profiles
    • Teaching Calendar
    • University Contacts
    • University Startup Hubs
    • Student Safety – Contacts
    • 2022 Floods
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
Study in Australia
©2025

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 12 January 2018

GRADUATE JOB OUTLOOK IMPROVES: NATIONAL SURVEY

Graduate employment rates and median salaries are on the rise, according to the latest national report on graduate outcomes.

The 2017 Graduate Outcomes Survey showed overall employment has lifted to 86 per cent for undergraduates and around 90 per cent for those with a post-graduate qualification.

The vast majority of students—more than three out of four—also said they were “very well” or “well” prepared by their studies for their current job. Eight in 10 graduates were satisfied with their course.

Universities Australia’s Acting Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said the latest national report showed strong signs of recovery for the graduate jobs market.

“Graduate employment outcomes follow the curve of the economy. With an improving labour market, we’re seeing a steady improvement in graduate job rates,” Ms Jackson said.

“These results make it even more difficult to understand why the Government imposed $2.2 billion in cuts to universities and students just before Christmas, and intends to impose further penalties for universities that fail to meet subjective and arbitrary benchmarks,” she said.

“It is critical to remember that a highly skilled and qualified workforce spreads prosperity across the community and economy, creating new knowledge and jobs.”

Ms Jackson also pointed to the fact these employment figures accounted for graduates a short four months after graduating.

“The data shows that graduates, like everyone entering the labour market, need time to establish their careers,” Ms Jackson said.

“But this immediate outlook can shift quickly—within three years of finishing their studies, nine in 10 graduates are employed full-time,” she said.

“Employment rates after four months differ by field, but after three years, graduates with generalist degrees have largely closed the gap.”

		array(5) {
  ["heading"]=>
  string(13) "Related Media"
  ["link-label"]=>
  string(13) "See All Media"
  ["type"]=>
  string(10) "media-item"
  ["taxonomy"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    object(WP_Term)#3018 (10) {
      ["term_id"]=>
      int(12)
      ["name"]=>
      string(13) "Media Release"
      ["slug"]=>
      string(13) "media-release"
      ["term_group"]=>
      int(0)
      ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
      int(12)
      ["taxonomy"]=>
      string(10) "media-type"
      ["description"]=>
      string(0) ""
      ["parent"]=>
      int(0)
      ["count"]=>
      int(822)
      ["filter"]=>
      string(3) "raw"
    }
  }
  ["use-separator"]=>
  bool(true)
}
	

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
13 May 2025

UA congratulates Coalition leadership

Universities Australia congratulates the Hon Sussan Ley MP on being elected leader of the Liberal Party and the Hon David Littleproud MP on his re-election as leader of the Nationals

Read more
media-item
Media Release
12 May 2025

UA welcomes new ministry, urges swift action on continuing reform

Universities Australia welcomes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new ministry following Labor’s decisive election victory.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
4 May 2025

2025 federal election outcome

“Universities Australia congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on their victory at the 2025 federal election,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said.

Read more
See All Media
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Popular Search Terms

  • Business & Community
  • Careers & Staffing
  • Indigenous
  • International
  • Resources & Regulation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Governance
  • Research
  • Students & Teaching
  • Student Income Support
  • Teaching Calendar
©2025
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Sign up

©2025
Universities Australia Logo


Australian Aboriginal Flag Flag of the Torres Strait Islanders

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Facts & Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact

Get in touch

  • 1 Geils Court
  • Deakin ACT 2600
  • T: +61 2 6285 8100

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
©2025
Authorised by J. Clark, Universities Australia, Canberra.
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index