New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows by age 22, the highest qualification completed for just over a quarter (26%) of young people was a vocational qualification, while a further quarter (25%) had completed a university degree.
Generation Z: life at 22 uses results from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) to explore how young people fared when they were 22 years old in 2022.
Females were more likely than males to complete a university degree (29% compared with 21%) while males were more likely than females to complete a vocational qualification (27% compared with 24%).
Most 22-year-olds were either working or studying in 2022 (93%), with 87% working and 41% studying. Just under half were working full-time (46%) and of those working full-time, 57% saw their current job as their career job.
Males were more likely to be working full-time than females (46% compared with 39%) however they were also more likely not to be working than females (14% compared with 11%).
NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker said, “The latest LSAY data shows the changing nature of young people’s education and employment pathways.”
“The results also showed young Australians are experiencing increasing rates of financial stress and mental illness.”
Close to one-third of 22-year-olds (30%) experienced financial stress in 2022 (up from 24% of 22-year-olds in 2016). The survey showed higher proportions could not afford to heat their home, pay their mortgage or rent on time, or get the healthcare they needed.
The proportion of 22-year-olds reporting they were in good health also decreased to 79% in 2022 (down from 87% of 22-year-olds in 2016) while the proportion of young Australians reporting a probable mental illness more than doubled.
Background:
Generation Z: life at 22 examines how 22-year-olds engaged with study and work alongside their living arrangements, finances, and mental health in 2022.
Download the infographic: Generation Z: life at 22
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Enquiries: Chantal Deutrom P: +61 8 8230 8418 E: chantaldeutrom@ncver.edu.au
About NCVER: we are the main provider of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector. Our services help promote better understanding of VET and assist policy makers, practitioners, industry, training providers, and students to make informed decisions.
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Government Department of Education.