A recent study reveals a significant educational crisis in Australia, with boys falling behind girls in academic achievement and access to high-skilled employment. According to research conducted by the Australian Population Research Institute, only a quarter of male students from government schools proceed to obtain a university degree, highlighting a growing disparity in educational outcomes.
The report titled “School choice and careers” analyzes ten years of census data, uncovering stark contrasts among students from different educational systems—government, Catholic, and independent schools. In Victoria, for instance, only 28 percent of boys from government schools achieved a university degree compared to 43 percent of girls. By contrast, graduates from independent schools fared significantly better, with 51 percent of boys and 68 percent of girls completing their degrees.
In Queensland, the situation is even more alarming; only 17 percent of male government school students earn a degree, the lowest rate among all surveyed groups. This educational gap is not only a concern for individual futures but also raises questions about the broader implications for Australian society.
David McCloskey, the report’s author, highlights that this disparity contradicts the national ethos of providing equal opportunities. He notes, “It’s a catastrophe in terms of education for males, and the gap is widening enormously between academic success of males and females.” The findings emphasize that the Australian education system is creating an increasingly stratified society, contrary to its foundational principles of egalitarianism.
Career Outcomes and School Advantages
The research also points to a significant advantage held by private school students, who are approximately twice as likely to secure high-skilled jobs, such as in medicine, compared to their peers in government schools. In terms of employment in skill level 1 occupations, 41 percent of girls from independent schools and 38 percent from Catholic schools found success, while only 18 percent of boys from government schools did.
Interestingly, New South Wales (NSW) defies this trend. Government schools in the state produce a higher proportion of graduates entering fields like medicine than those in other states. McCloskey recommends that other states should consider increasing funding and resources for select-entry government schools, which have proven effective in boosting academic performance.
The report also indicates that Australia’s goal of having nine out of ten school graduates attain a tertiary qualification, as outlined in the Universities Accord, is currently at risk. Presently, about 55 percent of the working-age population holds such qualifications.
Education researcher Dr. Melinda Hildebrandt from Victoria University underscores the shifting dynamics in university enrolment. In 1986, a higher percentage of male school-leavers pursued tertiary education compared to females. Today, the trend has reversed, with girls outpacing boys. Hildebrandt suggests that societal changes and market shifts may influence these outcomes, stating, “Let’s not assume that just because you come from a disadvantaged background and you’re a boy, and you go into a trade, that that is not what you wanted.”
Innovative Solutions in Education
In response to these challenges, initiatives are underway in Victoria to facilitate a smoother transition for government school students into higher education. The Centre for Higher Education Studies, established in 2022 in South Yarra, allows around 650 high-achieving students to engage in tertiary-level subjects while remaining enrolled in their home schools. Principal Stewart Milner emphasizes the centre’s role in generating enthusiasm for university among students by providing firsthand experiences of university life at no cost.
“Those sorts of opportunities can change minds,” Milner remarked. “They often leave the lectures and say, ‘If this is what university is like, then I can’t wait to do it.’”
As Australia grapples with this educational crisis, the findings from the Australian Population Research Institute call for urgent action from state governments and educational institutions to ensure that all students, regardless of their background or school system, have equitable access to high-quality education and career opportunities.
