Recent research reveals a significant educational disparity in Australia, particularly affecting male students. The study, conducted by the Australian Population Research Institute and led by researcher David McCloskey, indicates that boys are falling further behind girls in terms of academic achievement and access to high-skilled jobs. Alarmingly, only a quarter of male government school students pursue university degrees, prompting calls for immediate action from state governments to address this growing gap.
The findings highlight stark differences in career outcomes among students from various school systems. The analysis of ten years of census data shows that private school students are approximately twice as likely to secure employment in high-skilled professions, such as medicine, compared to their government school counterparts. Notably, New South Wales (NSW) stands out as an exception, producing a higher proportion of graduates entering skilled fields compared to other states.
In Victoria, the data reveals that just 28 percent of boys and 43 percent of girls from government schools achieved a university degree by 2021. This contrasts sharply with the outcomes in Catholic and independent schools, where 40 percent of boys and 59 percent of girls, along with 51 percent of boys and 68 percent of girls from independent schools, graduated. The situation is particularly dire in Queensland, where only 17 percent of male government school students obtained degrees, the lowest rate among all groups studied.
McCloskey describes the current state of education for boys as a “catastrophe,” emphasizing that the widening gap between male and female academic success undermines Australia’s foundational ethos of fairness. He stated, “We’ve always prided ourselves in Australia on being egalitarian… the fair go is not really there for many, many people.”
The report, titled School Choice and Careers, also examines the success of different school cohorts in securing high-skilled jobs, defined as those requiring at least five years of relevant experience or a bachelor’s degree. Among these, girls from independent schools lead, with 41 percent attaining high-skill jobs, followed by 38 percent of girls from Catholic schools. Males from independent schools achieve 33 percent, while boys from government schools have the lowest representation at 18 percent.
The research indicates a significant shift over the decades in education trends. In 1986, only 11 percent of male school-leavers pursued tertiary education, compared to 8 percent of females. This shift may be attributed to a diminishing job market for women without degrees, while opportunities in trades and construction remain abundant for men without higher education.
Currently, Australia is at risk of not meeting its Universities Accord target, which aims for nine in ten school graduates to pursue tertiary qualifications. Presently, only about 55 percent of the working-age population possesses a tertiary qualification. Dr. Melinda Hildebrandt, an education researcher from Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute, cautions against the assumption that all young people aspire to attend university, noting that many may find satisfaction in pursuing vocational paths.
Amid these challenges, government schools are recognized for their ability to provide strong career pathways in sectors like construction and home building. Yet, NSW emerges as a notable exception, producing a significant number of graduates who enter fields such as medicine, psychology, and occupational therapy. Analysis shows that graduates from NSW government secondary schools perform better than their counterparts in other states, particularly in medical career paths.
The presence of select-entry government schools in NSW, which require students to pass a competitive exam for admission, has contributed to this success. The study argues that increasing the number of such schools in other states could provide more equitable access to quality education for students from diverse backgrounds, without the financial burden of private school fees.
In Victoria, initiatives are underway to enhance the transition of government school students to university. The Centre for Higher Education Studies, established in 2022, serves as a model by offering tertiary-level subjects to approximately 650 high-achieving students, while they remain enrolled in their home schools. Principal Stewart Milner emphasizes that this program fosters enthusiasm for higher education by exposing students to university experiences at no financial cost.
Milner expressed optimism about the program’s impact, stating, “Those sorts of opportunities can change minds. They often leave the lectures, the master classes, and the tutorials we run and say, ‘If this is what university is like, then I can’t wait to do it.’”
As Australia grapples with the implications of this educational crisis, the findings serve as a call to action for policymakers to prioritize equitable educational opportunities for all students, ensuring that the next generation has the tools necessary to succeed in an increasingly competitive job market.
