Over the past 20 years, the share of the Australian population that holds a degree at a bachelor level or above has increased by more than six times, reaching a record 50.8 percent in 2022. Since 2023, however, the values have started to drop and totaled about 34 percent in 2025. In Australia, the tertiary education sector comprises both public and private institutions. The student body is comprised of both domestic and international students.Â
University graduate employment
Domestic students make up most of the graduates within Australia. The vast majority of graduates in 2023 found full-time employment after studying, with the fields of medicine, pharmacy and rehabilitation having the highest rates of employment post graduation. Dentistry graduates earned the highest median full-time salary of recent university graduates in the country.
International study landscape
International students are a rapidly growing segment of Australia’s tertiary education sector. The export income from international student activities amounted to 51 billion Australian dollars in 2024. Chinese students accounted for the largest share of international student enrollments as of 2025. Students completing their studies at Australian universities are attracted to the prestige of obtaining a degree at some of the best universities in the world. Moreover, graduates have the opportunity to enter the Australian labor market and to apply for a permanent visa in the country.