November 24, 2009
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Information technology study loses popularity: ABS
The proportion of people studying information technology decreased from 9% in 2001 to 3% in
2009. The most common field of education (for persons enrolled in a non-school qualification) was
Management and commerce (26%), followed by Society and culture (19%), according to figures
released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
About 2.7 million people (19% of all Australians aged 15–64) were enrolled in a course of study in
May 2009 compared to 18% in 2001.
Qualifications such as Bachelor Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates are being undertaken by
more Australians than in previous years. However, the number of apprentices dropped from
188,700 in 2008 to 163,000 in 2009.
The number of school leavers not engaged in education or work increased from 36,300 people in
2008 to 60,800 people in 2009, and increase of 67%.
For persons undertaking study, 38% were attending higher education institutions; 28% were at
school, and 21% were at TAFEs. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of students were studying full-time, and
under half (42%) were in the 15 to 19 age group.
The proportion of people with non-school qualifications has increased to 55% of Australians aged
15-64 and over, up from 47% in 2001. The proportion of Australians with a Bachelor Degree or
higher has increased, from 17% in 2001 to 23% in 2009.
The most commonly reported fields of education for people with a non-school qualification were
Management and commerce (24%) and Engineering and related technologies (18%).
Most people (83%) with non-school qualifications were employed.
Over three-quarters (77%) of employed people with non-school qualifications were employed full-
time, compared to 62% of employed people who did not hold a non-school qualification.
Almost a third (31%) of people aged 15-64 years reported Year 11 or below as their highest
educational qualification.
Further details can be found in Education and Work, Australia, May 2009 (cat. no. 6227.0)
Media note:
Non-school qualifications are awarded for educational attainments other than those of pre-
primary, primary or secondary education. They include qualifications at the Postgraduate
Degree level, Master Degree level, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate level,
Bachelor Degree level, Advanced Diploma and Diploma level, and Certificates I, II, III and
IV levels.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Media requests and interviews
Corporate Communications 1300 175 070
When reporting ABS data, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or ABS) must be attributed as
the source
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