Undergraduates from Swinburne University have achieved the highest median starting salaries in Victoria, with graduates earning nearly $78,000 as they transition into the workforce. The latest findings from the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching survey indicate that postgraduates from Federation University also performed well, with a median salary exceeding $104,000 upon entering the job market last year.
While the salary figures reflect strong outcomes for graduates, the survey of approximately 258,000 graduates highlighted a concerning trend for undergraduates in Victoria. Only 69 percent secured full-time employment within a year of graduation, which is below the national average of 74 percent. In contrast, those completing postgraduate degrees in Victoria fared better, achieving an employment rate of 86 percent, compared to the national figure of 87.6 percent.
Employment Rates and University Performance
Swinburne graduates not only earned the highest salaries but also led in full-time employment rates among undergraduates in the state, with 74.3 percent securing jobs. This was closely followed by Monash University, where 73.2 percent found employment. In contrast, graduates from RMIT University and Melbourne University reported lower full-time employment rates, at 60.8 percent and 59.6 percent, respectively.
A spokesperson from Melbourne University explained that its unique curriculum structure, which typically involves a specialist postgraduate degree following an undergraduate program, affects its employment statistics. “Given the Melbourne curriculum is different from the majority of others in operation currently within the Australian higher education sector, the methodology underpinning this survey makes it difficult to draw direct comparisons from the available data in this report,” they noted.
Nationally, Charles Sturt University emerged as a leader in job placement, with an impressive 89.1 percent of its graduates securing full-time employment in 2024. Avondale University followed closely with an 88.1 percent employment rate.
Shifts in Graduate Salary and Gender Disparities
Dr. Angela Baker, education director at the Social Research Centre, which conducts the survey, remarked on the overall employment trends. “This year’s findings suggest that the gains in employment in the post-COVID labour markets of 2022 and 2023 are starting to ease in 2024, particularly for undergraduates,” she stated. Nevertheless, she emphasized that full-time employment rates remain higher across all study levels compared to pre-2020 figures, alongside rising graduate salaries.
The survey also unveiled a persistent gender gap in salary outcomes, with male postgraduates earning significantly more than their female counterparts in various fields. For instance, male graduates in health services and support earned a median salary of $119,400, which is $19,400 more than female graduates who earned $100,000. Similar disparities were noted in computing and information systems, where males earned $115,000 compared to females at $100,000, and in engineering, where male graduates earned $114,000 versus $100,000 for females.
Among those benefiting from Swinburne’s programs is Zuzanna Kaczynska, a recent graduate who secured a position with the Queensland government before completing her degree. Kaczynska, who holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in ethics, technology, and computer science, credits the hands-on approach of her education for her success. “There was a big emphasis on getting experiences wherever you could,” she said, highlighting the importance of internships and involvement in university clubs.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Employability at Swinburne, Professor Laura-Anne Bull, reinforced the university’s commitment to preparing students for the workforce. “Our students are better paid and better prepared, leaving Swinburne with the confidence, skills, and connections they need to thrive in their chosen careers,” she asserted.
These findings contribute to the evolving landscape of higher education and employment in Australia, underscoring the importance of practical experience and targeted support in enhancing graduate outcomes.
