Andrew Norton
@andrewjnorton.bsky.social
Australian higher education policy
andrewnorton.id.au
andrewnorton.id.au
There may be some demographic quirks partly explaining this result. The Department uses a metric that classifies low SES based on the 15-64 year old population. But when we narrow down to the ages when people are most likely to attend uni the high SES groups have gained population share since 2016.
July 15, 2025 at 3:46 AM
There may be some demographic quirks partly explaining this result. The Department uses a metric that classifies low SES based on the 15-64 year old population. But when we narrow down to the ages when people are most likely to attend uni the high SES groups have gained population share since 2016.
The grad outcomes survey for 2024 has not been released but generally IT graduates do a bit worse than other grads in the short term.
July 15, 2025 at 12:08 AM
The grad outcomes survey for 2024 has not been released but generally IT graduates do a bit worse than other grads in the short term.
Generally STEM is stronger than non-STEM, but only IT and engineering are clearly defying the overall downward trend in demand.
July 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Generally STEM is stronger than non-STEM, but only IT and engineering are clearly defying the overall downward trend in demand.
For the humanities and social sciences the problems start well before Job-ready Graduates, although it cannot have helped.
July 14, 2025 at 11:21 PM
For the humanities and social sciences the problems start well before Job-ready Graduates, although it cannot have helped.
Undergraduate demand for non-STEM fields has declined.
July 14, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Undergraduate demand for non-STEM fields has declined.
It's likely that postgraduate research enrolments will become majority international in the near future, if we are not already there.
June 3, 2025 at 8:03 AM
It's likely that postgraduate research enrolments will become majority international in the near future, if we are not already there.
Postgraduate research visa numbers are strong. They are outside the current de facto cap on offshore applicant numbers.
June 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Postgraduate research visa numbers are strong. They are outside the current de facto cap on offshore applicant numbers.
Total student visa grants, however, are similar to 2024. This is mainly because the Department of Home Affairs is working its way through a backlog of onshore applications.
June 3, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Total student visa grants, however, are similar to 2024. This is mainly because the Department of Home Affairs is working its way through a backlog of onshore applications.
While April 2025 student visa applications were higher than usual for a quiet time of year, for the year to date 2025 applications are still down on recent years. data.gov.au/dataset/ds-d...
June 3, 2025 at 7:58 AM
While April 2025 student visa applications were higher than usual for a quiet time of year, for the year to date 2025 applications are still down on recent years. data.gov.au/dataset/ds-d...
Higher education visa grants in those months were also well down on the comparison years.
March 27, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Higher education visa grants in those months were also well down on the comparison years.
In 2024 higher education was surprisingly resilient, in aggregate, in the face of multiple negative policy changes. But things are now turning. January and February 2025 higher ed visa applications were well down on 2019, 2023 or 2024.
March 27, 2025 at 1:59 AM
In 2024 higher education was surprisingly resilient, in aggregate, in the face of multiple negative policy changes. But things are now turning. January and February 2025 higher ed visa applications were well down on 2019, 2023 or 2024.
The number of Indigenous Year 12 students grew more quickly (8.9%) 2023 to 2024 than non-Indigenous (4.9%).
February 17, 2025 at 4:09 AM
The number of Indigenous Year 12 students grew more quickly (8.9%) 2023 to 2024 than non-Indigenous (4.9%).
The Year 12 population is in a strong growth phase, which is good news for school leaver higher education demand.
February 17, 2025 at 3:56 AM
The Year 12 population is in a strong growth phase, which is good news for school leaver higher education demand.
Demographic increases in the Year 12 population are now clearly showing in Victorian uni applications. vtac.edu.au/files/pdf/me...
January 12, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Demographic increases in the Year 12 population are now clearly showing in Victorian uni applications. vtac.edu.au/files/pdf/me...
Fewer students working long hours presumably explains the decline in median income, from $650 to $600 a week.
December 23, 2024 at 2:47 AM
Fewer students working long hours presumably explains the decline in median income, from $650 to $600 a week.
In 2024, the proportion of employed FT tertiary students working 20+ hours per week fell, but remains high compared to the pre-COVID years.
December 23, 2024 at 2:46 AM
In 2024, the proportion of employed FT tertiary students working 20+ hours per week fell, but remains high compared to the pre-COVID years.
58% in 2024. Only 1989 is higher in my time series (58.1%). But I would still rate this time series as extraordinarily stable.
December 16, 2024 at 6:39 AM
58% in 2024. Only 1989 is higher in my time series (58.1%). But I would still rate this time series as extraordinarily stable.
Scandal, IR issues and legislative change are reducing academic casual FTE.
December 16, 2024 at 5:50 AM
Scandal, IR issues and legislative change are reducing academic casual FTE.
Non-academic staff increased at a faster rate than academic staff. With a government that regularly adds new bureaucracy and compliance requirements I expect this will increase.
December 16, 2024 at 5:48 AM
Non-academic staff increased at a faster rate than academic staff. With a government that regularly adds new bureaucracy and compliance requirements I expect this will increase.
All but two unis added FTE staff. Group of Eights with big international student enrolment increases added the most staff.
December 16, 2024 at 5:46 AM
All but two unis added FTE staff. Group of Eights with big international student enrolment increases added the most staff.
Record numbers of university staff as at 31 March 2024. www.education.gov.au/higher-educa...
December 16, 2024 at 5:45 AM
Record numbers of university staff as at 31 March 2024. www.education.gov.au/higher-educa...
ABS data released today shows only a small increase in departing student visa holders in 2023-24, counting only students staying in Australia for at least 12 of 16 months. www.abs.gov.au/statistics/p...
December 13, 2024 at 4:36 AM
ABS data released today shows only a small increase in departing student visa holders in 2023-24, counting only students staying in Australia for at least 12 of 16 months. www.abs.gov.au/statistics/p...
Majority support for the 20% cut to existing HELP debt.
December 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Majority support for the 20% cut to existing HELP debt.
Only a minority of voters, including Labor voters & 18-34 y.o. voters, support free higher ed. But majority support for lower costs to students. theage.com.au/politics/fed...
December 2, 2024 at 9:59 AM
Only a minority of voters, including Labor voters & 18-34 y.o. voters, support free higher ed. But majority support for lower costs to students. theage.com.au/politics/fed...
International students less likely to consider dropping out than domestics. Generally similar reasons when they are considering going - issues of larger concern to internationals highlighted. qilt.edu.au/surveys/stud...
December 1, 2024 at 11:05 PM
International students less likely to consider dropping out than domestics. Generally similar reasons when they are considering going - issues of larger concern to internationals highlighted. qilt.edu.au/surveys/stud...