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The future of higher degrees by research Australia’s economy is increasingly reliant on highly skilled workers, so it is crucial that supply keeps pace with demand. Governments and industry stakeholders need to understand the relevant issues across industries and disciplines in order for Australia to remain internationally competitive. A recent report Supply, Demand and Characteristics of the Higher Degree by Research Population in Australia examines those in Australia who have a higher degree by research, with particular emphasis on involvement in the labour force and future levels of supply and demand. The Australian government has a target for at least 40 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds to have a bachelor level or higher qualification by 2025, up from the 2006 level of 29 per cent. If this is achieved, there would be notable increases in the number of students in the higher education sector, which would require more academic staff with higher degrees. The research found that in the past decade there has been notable growth in the number of completions of higher degree qualifications by research at Australian universities and given recent policies relating to increasing support and funding for research in universities, that this growth could be expected to continue. Among those in Australia who have a doctorate, this research shows high labour force participation and low unemployment, suggesting that there is a relatively strong demand for people with these qualifications. Among those employed, there are good links between the qualifications and the employment they are engaged in. The research also explored estimates of future workforce, finding that the workforce in Australia with this level of qualification is projected to grow at a faster rate between now and 2020 than overall workforce growth. ACER Senior Research Fellow Dr Daniel Edwards said, “The findings in this research highlight the potential importance of the PhD in building the Australian economy in the future. This report provides an important basis for further exploration of the extent to which Australia’s training capacity needs to be adjusted in order to meet the demands of a skilled and innovative workforce in the future.” The research was conducted by ACER for the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research in June 2009. Read the full report by Daniel Edwards, Ali Radloff and Hamish Coates can be accessed from the ACER research repository. « Back to eNews
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Australia’s economy is increasingly reliant on highly skilled workers, so it is crucial that supply keeps pace with demand. Governments and industry stakeholders need to understand the relevant issues across industries and disciplines in order for Australia to remain internationally competitive.

A recent report Supply, Demand and Characteristics of the Higher Degree by Research Population in Australia examines those in Australia who have a higher degree by research, with particular emphasis on involvement in the labour force and future levels of supply and demand.

The Australian government has a target for at least 40 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds to have a bachelor level or higher qualification by 2025, up from the 2006 level of 29 per cent. If this is achieved, there would be notable increases in the number of students in the higher education sector, which would require more academic staff with higher degrees.

The research found that in the past decade there has been notable growth in the number of completions of higher degree qualifications by research at Australian universities and given recent policies relating to increasing support and funding for research in universities, that this growth could be expected to continue.

Among those in Australia who have a doctorate, this research shows high labour force participation and low unemployment, suggesting that there is a relatively strong demand for people with these qualifications. Among those employed, there are good links between the qualifications and the employment they are engaged in.

The research also explored estimates of future workforce, finding that the workforce in Australia with this level of qualification is projected to grow at a faster rate between now and 2020 than overall workforce growth.

ACER Senior Research Fellow Dr Daniel Edwards said, “The findings in this research highlight the potential importance of the PhD in building the Australian economy in the future. This report provides an important basis for further exploration of the extent to which Australia’s training capacity needs to be adjusted in order to meet the demands of a skilled and innovative workforce in the future.”

The research was conducted by ACER for the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research in June 2009. Read the full report by Daniel Edwards, Ali Radloff and Hamish Coates can be accessed from the ACER research repository.

The future of higher degrees by research