At YouthInsight we’ve been tracking the study and work preferences of Student Edge members. Each month, we survey ~1,000 young Australians aged 14 to 29. We deliberately balance the sample to ensure 500 participants are under 18 and 500 are 18 or older. As a result, 51% of respondents are high school students, 42% are studying at tertiary level, and 7% are no longer in education. We also ensure gender diversity, with 51% female, 49% male, and around 1% identifying as non-binary (approximately 10 participants per wave).
It is helpful to keep this demographic profile in mind when exploring the insights that follow.
Figure 1: Sample profile of all respondents (n = 7004)
What do high school students plan to do after school?
A clear majority of high school students (79%) say they plan to enroll in university after finishing school (see Figure 2). This rises to 83% among Year 12s. These self-reported intentions, however, differ significantly from Department of Education figures, which show that only 53% of students who completed Year 12 in 2022 actually enrolled in undergraduate courses the following year (Higher Education Statistics, 2023).
Figure 2: Plans after high school
According to a submission by the Teachers and Teaching Research Centre to the Review of Australia’s Higher Education System, one key question the Department is asking is: how can Australia boost demand for higher education?
But based on our findings, we believe the real question is deeper.
🔥OUR FIRST BURNING QUESTION🔥
Why is there a gap between intention and behaviour?
If more than 80% of young people say they plan to go to university, why do only half end up doing so? Is it financial pressures? A lack of support? Geographic access? Something else entirely?
We don’t yet know — but we believe it is time to find out.
To understand this disconnect, we need to map young people’s journeys in detail — not just those who continue to further study, but also those who don’t. Through journey mapping workshops, we can explore both key pain points and highlights, make-or-break moments, and the factors that influence each path. Only then can we grasp how young Australians perceive higher education and what support they really need to get there
What do young people want to do for a living?
Alongside study intentions, we have been tracking which industries Gen Z is considering for their future careers. Healthcare and Medicine is the most frequently mentioned, followed by Technology-related Engineering — perhaps unsurprisingly, given the rise of generative AI and rapid tech innovation.
Figure 3: Top 15 industries considered
Gender differences are also clear. Young women are more likely to consider Healthcare and Medicine, Education, Science, and Creative Arts. Young men, on the other hand, are more likely to choose Technology-driven Engineering, Banking, and Financial Services.
What matters most when choosing an industry?
Informed by in-depth discussions with Gen Z, we compiled a list of statements young people said were important when considering a career path. We then tracked how these values shaped their industry preferences.
Figure 4: Top 10 important factors considered for industries
The results were curious. Personal meaning and emotional connection were stronger drivers than salary or job progression. Statements like “fits with what I love to do,” “fits my personality,” and “feeling a sense of purpose” consistently ranked higher than functional benefits like salary, work-life balance, or career advancement (see Figure 4).
This highlights an interesting point: for young people, finding a career that aligns with their identity and values is more important than conventional definitions of success.
Do these values shape the industries young people choose?
When we map the importance of these career factors against the industries young people say they are interested in, some clear patterns emerge. For example, those considering Healthcare and Medicine place importance on purpose, community impact, and family approval — aligning well with the ethos of the industry. Those considering Technology and Engineering are more likely to be drawn by innovation, future relevance, and financial opportunities (see Figure 5).
Interestingly, young people interested in Creative Arts, Media & Entertainment, or Marketing & Advertising show the more emotional connection, rating “fits with what I love to do” and “fits my personality” as important. Yet these are not the most commonly selected industries.
Overall, we observe a weak correlation between the attributes young people say matter to them and the industries they are pursuing. While Gen Z knows what they want from work, it does not always match where they see themselves going.
Figure 5: The career factors by industries considered
🔥OUR SECOND BURNING QUESTION🔥
Why does this gap exist — and what is standing in the way of young people pursuing the industries that reflect their values?
Can we get close enough to their lived experience to understand how their expectations evolve — and how their dreams shift under real-world pressures?
And looking beyond the young people:
- Can we reshape how industries present themselves to better reflect what Gen Z is actually looking for?
- Can we educate young people on the true value and opportunity within industries they may be overlooking — and if so, how?
Please enter your comment below or contact us at support@youthinsight.com.au. We would love to hear your thoughts on our burning questions!
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