This briefing paper draws on findings from several LSAY Research Reports (5, 27, 31, 33 and 41) which report on how student attitudes and engagement in the formative school years influence subsequent participation in post-compulsory education and training. Data is used from two LSAY cohorts: students who were in Year 9 in 1995, and students...

More than one third of young Australians from non-metropolitan areas relocate to a major city in the years immediately after leaving school and, although some return, non-metropolitan areas experience a net loss of a quarter of their young people. This report is the first Australian national longitudinal study of young people’s geographic mobility.

The majority of young Australians experience at least a short period of time outside of full-time education and the labour force in the early years after leaving secondary school. Kylie Hillman identifies the characteristics, activities and later destinations of young people who had spent time outside of the labour force.

Young Australians are highly satisfied with their life and careers, according to Kylie Hillman and Julie McMillan. A study of over 6000 young people explored how their self-reported life satisfaction is related to educational activities and various labour market outcomes during the early post-school years. The findings suggest that being fully occupied in work, study...

Tertiary study is a largely positive experience for the vast majority of first year students, according to this report. A large majority of students reported that they liked being a student (94 per cent), tertiary student life suited them (87 per cent), they enjoyed the atmosphere on campus (88 per cent) and they had made...