Do individual background characteristics influence tertiary completion rates?

This report, funded by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) at Curtin University, uses the 2003 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) to investigate whether or not low [socioeconomic status] SES students complete university at different rates than their high SES peers. The report investigates the differences in completion probabilities for the sample of students that have commenced university. That is, the impact of SES on completion is over-and-above the effect that SES may have on enrolling in university in the first place. The report also looks at the relationship between SES and other measures of disadvantage to determine the impact that multiple factors have on completion.

The report shows that increasing access to higher education for low SES individuals will not necessarily translate into higher completions. In order to facilitate completions, support for low SES students needs to be provided during their studies, as well as providing greater access to university. An understanding of how other factors of disadvantage influence completions is also needed, together with improved methods for measuring socioeconomic status. Support may also be needed for regional students to help them complete their university courses.

Edited excerpts from publication. Show less