Media Releases 2008

29 April 2008

Demand for university places remains strong despite resources boom

Universities Australia’s latest Report on Applications, Offers and Acceptances of Undergraduate University Places, released today highlights the continuing demand across Australia for a university qualification as a passport for today’s knowledge-based economy.

“The record number of undergraduate university places being provided by the Commonwealth has led to a reduction in the current unmet demand for places, and should do into the future,” Universities Australia CEO, Dr Glenn Withers said.

The level of unmet demand estimated by Universities Australia is 12,600 places for 2008, a 65% reduction on the peak level in 2004. More than 85% of eligible applicants received offers in 2008.

This concurs with the findings of a complementary report on university places by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), also released today. This is the last year that Universities Australia will report unmet demand as DEEWR will produce a report from 2009.

“There has been a slight decline in the number of eligible applications this year, but Australian students recognise universities as a better post-school option for increasing their employment prospects, not withstanding the increase in employment opportunities associated with the resources boom.

“While unmet demand for places has effectively been met, the nation’s emergent skill shortages nevertheless suggest that we are not producing the number of university graduates that Australia will require in the long term. We do need to encourage a greater proportion of school students to complete Year 12 and enrol in universities or vocational education,” Dr Withers said.

The increase in workforce productivity associated with a university qualification is borne out by OECD data indicating that on average Australians aged 25-64 with university qualifications earn 39% more than those who leave school and do not go on to tertiary studies.

“While there is some variation in the proportion of places offered across different disciplines and states, what Australia needs more than just extra places funded at the current rates is greater public investment in each student place.

“This will directly support the nation’s productivity agenda and ensure that the high level of knowledge and skills our graduates take into the workforce will keep them competitive in what is now a global labour market,” Dr Withers said.

The Universities Australia Report is available from here

The DEEWR report is available from here

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Media Inquiries Rebecca Harris – phone: (02) 6285 8106 or 0400 166691