PhD candidates are crucial to Australia’s research and innovation landscape. These candidates contribute to a wide array of sectors such as government, education, healthcare and industry, fostering advancements that strengthen Australia’s position as a global leader in research. 

PhD programs not only enhance Australia’s academic reputation but also address workforce demands and skills shortages in essential fields. To sustain a strong research workforce and maintain competitive research standards, this report argues Australia must implement policies and resources that attract and support talented PhD candidates.

Key findings

• Despite an increase in domestic PhD completions by 41 per cent from 2000 to 2023, enrolment has declined by 8 per cent from 2018 to 2023, highlighting a concerning trend amid growing population demands.
• The typical PhD candidate in Australia is often older than expected, with an average commencement age of 34, bringing valuable work experience to their studies.
• A strong job market, inadequate financial support and insecure employment prospects in academia have deterred many domestic candidates from pursuing PhDs.
• International PhD candidates are essential to Australia’s research and development workforce, addressing critical shortages in fields such as engineering and information technology.

Recommendations

1. Increase financial support and equity measures for domestic PhD candidates by $300 million over four years.
2. Enhance support for international PhD candidates including raising the Research Training Program (RTP) funding cap for international students from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, especially for regions with critical workforce needs.