Australia

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Australia
Overview of the education system (EAG 2026)
  • In Australia, the share of adults with tertiary attainment reaches 54.4% (OECD average : 42.7%), while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment stands at 33.7% (OECD average : 39.9%) and 11.9% of 25-64 year-olds reached below upper secondary education (OECD average : 17.9%).
  • Some 80.8% of children aged 3 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 81.5%), while 65.8% of children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (OECD average : 86%).
  • Australia hosted 8.4% of worldwide foreign student in 2023. The share of inbound students accounted for 31.6% of all students enrolled domestically (OECD average : 12%).
  • Government expenditure on educational institutions, before transfers, on primary to tertiary education equalled 4.1% of GDP in 2023 (OECD average : 4%), while private expenditure equalled 1.4% (OECD average : 0.6%).
  • In 2023, Australia allocated an average of 10.9% of total government expenditure to education from primary to tertiary levels (OECD average : 9.8%), equivalent to 4.3% of GDP (OECD average : 4.2%).
  • Total expenditure on educational institutions per full-time equivalent student equalled 29004 equivalent USD for tertiary education in Australia (OECD average : 22402 equivalent USD), while it added up to 14686 equivalent USD for primary education (OECD average : 13552 equivalent USD).
  • The unemployment rate among tertiary-educated young adults stands at 1.5% in 2025 (OECD average : 5%), while it is equal to 6.2% for 25-34 year-olds without an upper secondary education (OECD average : 13.9%).
  • Some 10.4% of all 18-24 year-olds were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in 2025 (OECD average : 14.1%), while 11.9% of 25-29 year-olds were NEET (OECD average : 16.3%).
  • On-site work varies with the level of education, while 51.5% of tertiary-educated workers sometimes or usually work from home in Australia (OECD average : 42.5%), 28.9% of workers with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment did so (OECD average : 17.7%).
  • In Australia, annual typical teaching hours were 857 hours in primary education (OECD average : 770 hours) and 841 hours in lower secondary education (OECD average : 710 hours).
    • | Education at a Glance 2026 (EAG 2026): OECD Indicators | Country note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2026 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | OECD Education Policy Outlook: Australia | Australian Government Department of Education and Training | National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) | Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) | Australian Bureau of Statistics |

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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Attainment

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.1 %, rank 31/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (54.4 %, rank 7/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (58.2 %, rank 8/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The level of tertiary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.4 %, rank 8/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Australia has one of the lowest percentages of 25-64 year-old adults with less than primary education. (0.1 %, rank 28/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-olds who have attained a vocational degree at the upper secondary or post-secondary level is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (16.6 %, rank 25/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the largest among countries with available data. (37.5 %, rank 5/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the largest among countries with available data. (0.7 %, rank 10/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (10.6 %, rank 30/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (50.2 %, rank 10/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old women who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (65.9 %, rank 6/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in Australia is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.2 %, rank 32/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old women who attained below upper secondary education in Australia is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6 %, rank 32/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Australia has one of the smallest share of women among 55-64 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education. (36.9 %, rank 31/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    In Australia, the percentage of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes younger than 25 is relatively low. (37.3 %, rank 30/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Entrance by field of education and gender

    The percentage of female new entrants to doctoral programmes in services was one of the smallest across countries. (30.4 %, rank 19/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In social sciences, journalism and information, the proportion of female new entrants to master’s programmes was among the smallest across countries with available data. (66.9 %, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (50.3 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (68.5 %, rank 25/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in education in Australia is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (72.9 %, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (48.8 %, rank 24/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    Enrolment in early childhood education (ISCED 0) among 3- to 5-year-olds placed Australia among the lowest across countries. (65.8 %, rank 34/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of children under age 3 in ECEC (ISCED 01) was one of the highest across participating countries. (46.4 %, rank 10/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of below-two year-olds in early childhood education in Australia is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (36.1 %, rank 6/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary programmes in Australia is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.6 %, rank 39/43 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate among students aged 15-19 in upper secondary vocational programmes in Australia is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (6.9 %, rank 37/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of two-year-olds in other registered ECEC services in Australia is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.2 %, rank 11/16 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of five-year-olds in ECEC in Australia is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (24.8 %, rank 38/44 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of female students enrolled in lower secondary vocational programmes is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (40 %, rank 17/20 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    In Australia, the share of female first-time master's graduates is relatively small, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (55.1 %, rank 18/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.9 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.4 %, rank 36/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of services is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.1 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of tertiary graduates in STEM fields in Australia was one of the lowest compared to other participating countries. (20.4 %, rank 32/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is relatively low. (0.7 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education and gender

    In Australia, the share of female tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7.2 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of male tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively small. (4.2 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of male tertiary graduates in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is relatively low in Australia. (32 %, rank 34/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the percentage of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of health and welfare is relatively small. (63.8 %, rank 19/19 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the percentage of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is relatively small. (60.1 %, rank 17/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of female post-secondary non-tertiary graduates in the field of services is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (48.5 %, rank 16/21 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries. (7.8 %, rank 29/31 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of female graduates from upper secondary vocational programmes in the field health and welfare is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries. (71.6 %, rank 27/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of female graduates in tertiary education in the fields of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (51 %, rank 30/34 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Completion rates

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies within the theoretical programme duration. (35.4 %, rank 7/26 , 2022) Download Indicator

    A relatively high share of students in upper secondary vocational programmes complete their studies up to two years later than the theoretical programme duration. (44.2 %, rank 6/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Australia, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively low. (5.3 %, rank 26/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low. (10.3 %, rank 23/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of new entrants to tertiary education in STEM fields was one of the smallest across countries with available data. (24.3 %, rank 22/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of services is comparatively small. (1.3 %, rank 26/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The proportion of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.7 %, rank 26/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of new entrants in arts and humanities master's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (4 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of new entrants in social sciences, journalism and information master's programmes is relatively low, compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (5.5 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of services is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (2.2 %, rank 23/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of new entrants in engineering, manufacturing and construction bachelor's programmes is relatively low in Australia among countries with available data. (8.5 %, rank 30/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of new entrants in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary bachelor's programmes is especially small, compared to the other countries with available data. (0.6 %, rank 29/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of new entrants in services bachelor's programmes is especially low, compared to the other countries with other data. (1 %, rank 31/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of new entrants in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary master's programmes is especially low. (0.6 %, rank 27/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the percentage of new entrants in Services master's programmes is comparatively low among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.4 %, rank 30/32 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    Australia has a large share of international students graduate from tertiary programmes compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (41.7 %, rank 1/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Australia has one of the largest proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among OECD and partner countries with available data. (31.6 %, rank 2/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of worldwide foreign and international students is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.4 %, rank 4/46 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of international and foreign students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (40.1 %, rank 8/41 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, international or foreign students from Europe are least represented among all international or foreign students, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (1.8 %, rank 35/37 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of international graduates among bachelor's first-time graduates is relatively high. (27.7 %, rank 1/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of international graduates among first-time master's graduates is relatively high. (68.7 %, rank 2/30 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of international graduates among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (44.5 %, rank 8/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19.6 %, rank 3/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (57.8 %, rank 2/42 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (38.3 %, rank 2/35 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of arts and humanities among all international or foreign tertiary students in Australia is relatively low. (5.5 %, rank 33/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of social sciences, journalism and information among all international or foreign tertiary students in Australia is relatively low. (2.9 %, rank 38/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of students enrolled in the field of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary among all international or foreign tertiary students is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (0.6 %, rank 35/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Adult participation in non-formal education

    In Australia, the share of employed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the lowest across countries with available data. (35.9 %, rank 26/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64, participation in non-formal education or training in Australia was among the lowest across countries with available data. (36.8 %, rank 24/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of unemployed adults aged 25-44 participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (22.8 %, rank 24/28 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of unemployed adults aged 45-64 participating in non-formal education or training placed Australia among countries with the smallest shares. (16.2 %, rank 20/23 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among unemployed adults aged 25-64, the share participating in non-formal education or training in Australia was among the lowest across countries with available data. (20.9 %, rank 26/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of adults aged 25-44 outside the labour force participating in non-formal education or training was among the smallest across countries with available data. (11 %, rank 28/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among adults aged 25-64 outside the labour force, participation in non-formal education or training in Australia was among the lowest across countries with available data. (9.7 %, rank 25/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (29004 USD Equivalent, rank 7/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per secondary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19373 USD Equivalent, rank 7/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Annual expenditure per tertiary student is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19916 USD Equivalent, rank 6/33 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student for ancillary services on primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education in Australia is comparatively low. (160 USD Equivalent, rank 30/32 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23152 USD Equivalent, rank 7/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The total annual expenditure per full-time equivalent student on upper secondary general education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (20227 USD Equivalent, rank 3/31 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    In Australia, expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies. (5.6 %, rank 4/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, expenditure on primary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (1.7 %, rank 6/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, expenditure on secondary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (2.1 %, rank 10/37 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, expenditure on tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of GDP is comparatively high. (1.7 %, rank 6/38 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, private expenditure on educational institutions as a percentage of GDP on primary to tertiary education from final source of funds is relatively high. (1.8 %, rank 3/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The proportion of private expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds for primary to tertiary education is comparatively high in Australia. (1.4 %, rank 3/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Government and private expenditure in education

    The share of private expenditure on tertiary education is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (66.1 %, rank 2/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Australia has one of the largest shares of private expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (31.9 %, rank 3/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively small. (83.1 %, rank 33/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for tertiary education is comparatively small in Australia. (33.9 %, rank 35/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of public expenditure on educational institutions, for primary to tertiary education is comparatively small. (68.1 %, rank 34/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Nature of expenditure

    In Australia, the share of current expenditure on all levels below tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (86.9 %, rank 33/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of capital expenditure on primary through tertiary is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13 %, rank 5/35 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of current expenditure on primary through tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (87 %, rank 32/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of current expenditure on secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (86.6 %, rank 34/36 , 2023) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of current expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (86.9 %, rank 20/23 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Teachers

    The number of hours per year primary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively high in Australia. (857 Hours, rank 7/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The number of hours per year lower secondary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively high in Australia. (841 Hours, rank 7/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The number of hours per year upper secondary teachers spend teaching general programmes in public institutions is comparatively high in Australia. (839 Hours, rank 7/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries

    In Australia, average actual salaries for pre-primary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest per hour of net teaching time across OECD and partner countries with available data. (83751 USD Equivalent, rank 2/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, average actual salaries for primary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest per hour of net teaching time across OECD and partner countries with available data. (77473 USD Equivalent, rank 7/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, average actual salaries for lower secondary teachers aged 25-64 rank among the highest per hour of net teaching time across OECD and partner countries with available data. (77583 USD Equivalent, rank 7/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, a lower secondary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the highest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (85002 USD Equivalent, rank 4/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, an upper secondary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the highest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (85002 USD Equivalent, rank 7/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, a pre-primary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the highest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (88721 USD Equivalent, rank 3/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    After 15 years of experience, a primary teacher with typical qualification can expect to have one of the highest salaries among OECD and partner countries with available data. (85248 USD Equivalent, rank 4/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The ratio of lower secondary male teachers' salaries to earnings of full-time, full-year men workers with tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.86 Ratio, rank 6/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 25-34 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education are high in Australia. (1.02 Ratio, rank 4/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The salaries of 55-64 year-old general lower-secondary teachers relative to earnings for full-time, full-year similarly educated workers with tertiary education are high in Australia. (0.9 Ratio, rank 7/26 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    It takes lower secondary teachers less time to progress through the salary scale in Australia compared to other OECD and partner countries. (0 Years, rank 37/42 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Principals' salaries

    In Australia, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old primary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (126760 USD Equivalent, rank 4/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old lower secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (146501 USD Equivalent, rank 4/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the average actual salaries of 25-64 year-old upper-secondary school heads is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries. (146526 USD Equivalent, rank 6/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Teacher shortages

    Between 2015 and 2024, Australia reported an increase in the number of full-time equivalent classroom teachers. (117 Index, rank 9/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Organisation of the education system

    Classes are particularly large in primary schools. (23 Students, rank 5/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in public primary institutions are comparatively large in Australia. (23 Students, rank 6/40 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Classes in private primary institutions are comparatively large in Australia. (23 Students, rank 7/38 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively high in Australia. (66.1 %, rank 9/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively high in Australia. (91.4 %, rank 5/41 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (87.3 %, rank 9/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively low. (6.2 %, rank 34/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (3.3 %, rank 37/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.5 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education is comparatively low. (2.8 %, rank 33/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (0.9 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (2.9 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.8 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.5 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a short-cycle tertiary education degree is one the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (1.1 %, rank 28/28 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (1.9 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (1.1 %, rank 35/36 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (1.1 %, rank 33/33 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (2.7 %, rank 34/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-olds with a vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the lowest of all OECD countries and partner economies for which data are available. (1.8 %, rank 32/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Australia. (2 %, rank 37/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Australia. (1.3 %, rank 34/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Unemployment by gender and educational attainment

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old men without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (3.2 %, rank 37/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.1 %, rank 40/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old men with tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.5 %, rank 37/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old women without upper secondary education is comparatively low. (2.6 %, rank 36/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education is comparatively low. (1.6 %, rank 35/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in Australia. (3.9 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is comparatively low in Australia. (1 %, rank 38/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old men with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low in Australia. (3.2 %, rank 38/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in Australia. (10.5 %, rank 26/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with tertiary education is comparatively low in Australia. (1.9 %, rank 37/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 25-34 year-old women with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively low in Australia. (3.6 %, rank 36/40 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The unemployment rate among 55-64 year-old women with below upper secondary education is comparatively low in Australia. (2.3 %, rank 31/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.5 %, rank 33/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old men with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.8 %, rank 32/35 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of unemployed 25-64 year-old women with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low, compared to other OECD and partner countries with available data. (3 %, rank 27/32 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-old women with general upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low in Australia. (2.2 %, rank 34/34 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Inactivity by gender and educational attainment

    In Australia, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-old men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively low. (3.7 %, rank 27/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    The proportional difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old adults with tertiary education and those with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is quite marginal. (131 Index, rank 25/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of foreign-born aged between 25 and 64 who work full- and part-time with a short cycle tertiary education are comparatively low. (106.4 %, rank 21/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a bachelor's or equivalent education are comparatively low. (132.1 %, rank 19/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of 25-64 year-old full- and part-time workers with a master's, doctoral or equivalent education degree are comparatively low. (153.1 %, rank 22/25 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of 25-64 year-olds with below secondary education compared to those of adults with an upper secondary education are relatively high in Australia. (95.4 %, rank 1/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-64 year-old workers without an upper secondary education earning at or below half the overall median in Australia is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (18 Index, rank 24/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Australia. (118 Index, rank 26/27 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 45-54 with tertiary education (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Australia. (153 Index, rank 26/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-34 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Australia. (120 Index, rank 18/22 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the relative earnings of full-time, full-year workers aged 25-64 with bachelor's or equivalent attainment (relative to those without an upper secondary education) are comparatively low in Australia. (138 Index, rank 20/24 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the relative earnings for 45-54 year-old workers with tertiary attainment are low compared to workers with upper secondary attainment (136 Index, rank 25/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings, gender and educational attainment

    The difference in earnings between 25-64 year-old women with tertiary education and those with upper secondary education is quite marginal. (133 Index, rank 25/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds without an upper secondary education with income from employment) are one of the highest among countries with available data. (87.6 %, rank 3/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary education or post-secondary non-tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the highest among countries with available data. (88.4 %, rank 2/28 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women as a percentage of men's earnings (among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education and income from employment) are one of the highest among countries with available data. (85.2 %, rank 3/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the proportion of young women's earnings as a percentage of men's earnings (25-34 year-olds with tertiary education working full-time full-year), is relatively high compared to OECD and other members with available data (95.5 %, rank 1/29 , 2024) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of unemployed youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Australia is one of the smallest among countries with available data. (10.4 %, rank 31/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of women without an upper secondary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Australia is relatively low (38 %, rank 28/31 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of men with vocational upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education neither in employment nor in education and training (25-29 year-olds) in Australia is relatively low (3 %, rank 30/30 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-29 year-olds neither in employment nor in education and training with tertiary education in Australia is relatively low. (6.3 %, rank 33/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 20-24 year-olds in Australia is relatively small. (10.1 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The share of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 25-29 year-olds in Australia is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (11.9 %, rank 34/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 15-29 year-olds in Australia is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (9.4 %, rank 32/39 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of men neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively low. (8.6 %, rank 33/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    In Australia, the share of women neither employed nor in education among 15-29 year-olds is relatively low. (10.3 %, rank 33/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Among 20-24 year-old men in Australia, a small share of them are neither employed nor in education or training. (9.3 %, rank 32/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 18-24 year-olds who are neither employed nor in education or training is comparatively small in Australia. (10.4 %, rank 31/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old men neither employed nor in education or training is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (10.4 %, rank 31/38 , 2025) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old women neither employed nor in education or training is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (10.5 %, rank 28/37 , 2025) Download Indicator

    Social outcomes

    In Australia, the share of employed men aged 25-64 with tertiary education reporting high or very high flexibility in their main job was among the lowest across countries with available data. (37 %, rank 24/30 , 2023) Download Indicator

    Among employed adults aged 25-64 with below upper secondary attainment, the share who sometimes or usually work from home in Australia was among the largest across countries with available data. (24.7 %, rank 4/29 , 2023) Download Indicator

    The share of employed adults aged 25-64 with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment who sometimes or usually work from home was among the highest in Australia compared with other countries with available data. (28.9 %, rank 7/32 , 2023) Download Indicator


    The data table will display up to six selected countries.
    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Educational attainment remains at an all-time high in 2025 as more people obtain advanced qualifications. Across the OECD, 43% of working-age adults have a tertiary qualification, while the share of adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment is slightly lower at 39%.
    • On a similar note, the share of young adults without upper secondary attainment continues to decline across the OECD, standing at 12% in 2025. Therefore, while more young adults obtain a tertiary qualification, the share of individuals whose highest qualification is upper secondary with a vocational orientation is decreasing in almost all OECD countries. 
    • Regarding the share of young people being neither in employment nor in education or training, it stood at 14% as of 2025 across OECD countries. However, cross-country comparisons reveal a wide variety of trends, ranging from large falls in Croatia or Ireland to increases in Germany or Latvia.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • Most children aged 3 to 5 are enrolled in early childhood education, with an average participation rate of 86% across the OECD in 2024. Participation in early childhood education increases with age and tends to be higher in countries with stronger institutional support for participation.
    • 76.2% of students complete upper secondary programmes within the theoretical programme duration. This rises to 84.9% with two additional years on average across the OECD.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • In 2023, OECD countries allocated an average of 9.8% of total government expenditure to education, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP.
    • Total expenditure on education tends to rise with the level of education. In primary education, expenditure per student was USD 13 552 in 2023 on average across the OECD. This amount rises to USD 14 923 in secondary education and to USD 22 402 in tertiary education.
    • Tertiary education continues to expand, placing pressure on public budgets. Private sources represent a larger share of total funding at the tertiary level than at any other level of education. However, as a whole most investment in education comes from public sources. On average, across the OECD, government expenditure on primary to tertiary education corresponded to 4% of GDP in 2023, while private expenditure corresponded to 0.6%. Both of these figures are measured as initial source of funds, which implies that we are tracking the original provider.
    • Research and development represents around one-third of total expenditure across the OECD on tertiary educational institutions, underlining their dual role in both teaching and research. On average across the OECD, in 2023, USD 8 060 were invested annually into research and development for every student enrolled in tertiary education.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Compulsory teaching time averages 770 hours per year for primary students and 710 hours for lower secondary students (general programmes), a difference of about 60 hours annually.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Teachers’ statutory salaries increase with the level of education taught. On average, across OECD countries and economies, the salaries of teachers with the most prevalent qualifications with 15 years of experience range from USD 60 437 at pre-primary level to USD 68 928 at upper secondary level.
    • Teachers’ actual salaries at primary and general secondary levels of education are 87-95% of the average earnings of tertiary-educated workers across OECD countries. School heads' actual salaries are usually higher than those of tertiary-educated workers.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Learning environment | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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    • On average across OECD countries, 9.1% of teachers in primary and secondary education are non-fully qualified, with shares exceeding 18% in Chile, Denmark, Estonia and Germany.
    • Furthermore, the share of fully qualified teachers leaving the profession in primary and secondary schools stands at 6.4% of the total teaching workforce.
    • The ratio of children to teachers in primary education has slightly fallen across most OECD countries, decreasing from an average of 15 children per teacher in 2015 to 14 in 2024.
    • Regarding job satisfaction among teachers, participating countries show wide differences. Japan, Spain and Czechia reported that teachers tend to be much more satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults. On the other hand, teachers in Hungary, Chile or Latvia tend to be less satisfied with their jobs than other employed adults.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | Education policies: Teacher working conditions | Education policies: Teacher employment | 
    
                            
    
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            Diagram of funding flows - Australia
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
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            Country Reviews for Australia
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/members-partners.html
            

    
			
            Reference years displayed in the Education GPS correspond to the most common year of reference among countries for which data is available on each variable. Data for the latest available year is preferred and some 
			countries may have provided data refering to a more recent or late year. 
			However, OECD averages from Education at a Glance coming from the OECD database are the averages for the indicator reference year appearing in the Education GPS and may differ from averages in the book where averages can include data from multiple reference years, based on countries' data availability.
			

    
			To know more about possible exceptions on data please click on the "Download Indicator" link on each variable. When a year of reference corresponds to a school year encompassing two years, the reference reads as follows: 2026 for school year 2025/2026 in the Northern Hemisphere.
			

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Sources Methodologies and Technical Notes 
		of EAG 2025 for more details about the data collections.
		

    
        For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.