DOCUMENT RESUME

The pathways of Australian graduates in their transition from school to further study and work were examined by analyzing Australian Youth Survey data regarding graduates who obtained a university degree or technical and further education (TAFE) diploma and who were enrolled for such qualifications in their seventh postschool year. Ninety-four percent of young Australians who obtained tertiary qualifications made relatively successful transitions to full-time work. Only 6 % recorded experiencing major difficulty in obtaining stable full-time work or extended episodes of unemployment, part-time work, or periods out of the labor force. Characteristics associated with difficulty finding stable full-time employment were as follows: graduating a TAFE rather than with a university qualification; being from a low socioeconomic background; graduating in the fields of arts and humanities, social sciences, or education; and graduating from government schools. Although labor market benefits for graduates varied depending on pathway and study, tertiary qualifications appeared to smooth young people'