Smaller Australian universities lead in international graduate employment

By Khanh Linh November 6, 2024 | 11:02 pm PT

A recent survey reveals that smaller Australian universities have higher international graduate employment rates, outperforming major institutions.

Sinh viên Đại học Avondale, Australia, trong ngày tốt nghiệp. Ảnh: Avondale University Fanpage

Students of Avondale University during their graduation day. Photo courtesy of the university

According to the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS), published this month by the Australian Social Research Center, the top 10 universities for international graduate employment in Australia—boasting employment rates of around 60-80%—notably exclude major institutions like the Australian National University and the University of Melbourne.

Sponsored by Australia’s Department of Education, the survey focused on the employability of international students 4 to 6 months post-graduation.

The results show that the top 10 universities are primarily smaller institutions with around 1,000 international students enrolled per year. Notable exceptions include the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales, each enrolling approximately 6,800-7,800 international students, and Western Sydney University with over 2,600.

Top Australian universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings did not make the top 10 list.

Rank	University	Employment rate of international alumni	Average annual salary (AUD)	World Ranking (THE)
1	Avondale University	80%	No data	No data
2	Western Sydney University	62.8%	63,000	301-350
3	Torrens University	62.7%	55,000	No data
4	University of Newcastle	61.9%	69,000	251-300
5	Charles Darwin University	61.8%	64,400	401-500
6	University of the Sunshine Coast	61.7%	59,900	601-800
7	University of Queensland	60%	60,200	77
8	Australian Catholic University	59,8%	65,200	401-500
9	University of Southern Queensland	59,2%	63,700	351-400
10	University of New South Wales	59,2%	65,000	83

The survey gathered responses from over 28,000 international students across 126 Australian higher education institutions. Vietnamese students represented 3.8% of the respondents, following those from China, India, and Nepal.

The results indicate that nearly 60% of bachelor’s degree holders secured full-time employment. Employment rates were higher among master’s and postgraduate research graduates, at around 61% and 77%, respectively.

Average annual salaries for international graduates have also increased. Bachelor’s degree graduates saw salaries rise from AU$50,000 (US$32,723) in 2016 to AU$65,000 in 2023. Master’s degree graduates experienced an increase from AU$49,600 to AU$65,000, while doctoral graduates saw salaries climb from AU$78,000 to AU$92,000.

However, housing and living costs in Australia have surged over the past two to three years, with inflation standing at 5.6% in 2023. According to Upmove, a moving services platform in Australia, an individual needs around USD 34,000 annually for living expenses, including rent, food, and transportation.

Australia remains a popular study destination worldwide. As of July, the country’s international student population reached nearly 944,000, up over 14% from the same period last year. With over 44,000 students, Vietnam ranks fifth in terms of the number of international students in Australia.

The most popular field among international graduates is Business and Management. Across all levels, international students are more likely than domestic students to pursue further studies after obtaining their first degree.