Benefits of tertiary certificates and diplomas: exploring economic and social outcomes

This report examines the economic and social benefits of tertiary certificates and diplomas and provides new evidence of the value of a significant part of the tertiary education system. It makes use of a range of data to look at the association of tertiary certificates and diplomas to economic outcomes (employment and income) and social outcomes (well-being, social participation and intergenerational benefits). The key findings are that: (1) level 1 to 3 tertiary certificates are of most benefit to people with no or low school qualifications and are best seen as a pathway to higher levels of study; (2) level 4 certificates have better economic outcomes than school qualifications, particularly for men, and there is some evidence of improved social outcomes for women; (3) the economic outcomes from diplomas are close to those of bachelors degrees, and diplomas are associated with improved social outcomes, more so for women than for men; and (4) the clearest evidence of social outcomes from tertiary certificates and diplomas is for greater parental support for children's learning.

Published summary from the Education Counts website. Show less