Arabic version: تراجع رضا الخريجين مع استمرار عدم اليقين في سوق العمل
According to ABC News,
University graduates in Australia are facing unprecedented dissatisfaction with their degrees, according to a recent survey conducted by the Social Research Centre for the Commonwealth Department of Education. The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) survey revealed that only 74.9% of undergraduates reported being “overall satisfied” with their education, marking the lowest level of satisfaction since the survey’s inception in 2016. This decline follows a peak of 80.6% in 2020, highlighting a steady downturn in graduate contentment.
The survey, which included responses from 120,000 students across 42 Australian universities, attributes this dissatisfaction to challenging job outcomes. Many graduates, like 23-year-old Lana, are struggling to secure employment despite their qualifications. Lana, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in immunology, has spent over five hours a day applying for jobs without success. She expressed her frustration, questioning the value of her degree and the effort she invested in building her CV through various activities during university.
The data also indicates that while full-time employment rates for domestic undergraduate students saw a slight increase to 75.4% in 2025, the percentage of graduates landing managerial or professional roles shortly after graduation has decreased. In 2025, only 67.3% of graduates found themselves in such positions, down from 72.3% in 2016. Additionally, a growing number of students are opting for further studies, with 19.3% of undergraduates pursuing additional full-time education instead of entering the workforce.
Experts suggest that the competitive job market and the recent introduction of fee-free TAFE courses may be influencing these trends. Universities Australia acknowledged the pressing need for graduates while emphasizing that institutions are committed to enhancing the transition from academia to employment. Despite the challenges, the average salaries for domestic students have seen a slight increase, with undergraduates earning an average of $77,000 and postgraduate coursework students earning $104,700.
However, the survey also revealed that nearly 30% of graduates employed full-time consider themselves “over-qualified” for their current roles, often taking jobs that do not fully utilize their skills. This situation raises concerns about the effectiveness of university programs in preparing students for the evolving job market. As the QILT survey highlights a continuous decline in satisfaction, experts urge universities to better equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful employment.
