The Falling Returns to Education in Australia

Elisa Birch; Alison Preston

doi:10.1111/1475-4932.12878

The Falling Returns to Education in Australia

Economics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey for a sample of employees aged 28-38, this paper examines changes in returns to education between 2001-2011 and 2012-2023. The study controls for seven education categories (PhD, Master's, Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Honours, Bachelor's and Diploma/Certificate III/IV) using individuals with no post-school qualifications as the reference group. Over the study period, there is a significant decline in the wage premia (returns) within all education groups, except PhD and Graduate Certificates. The extent of the decline varies by education category, gender, sector and across the wage distribution.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	377-391
Number of pages	15
Journal	Economic Record
Volume	101
Issue number	334
Early online date	22 May 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-4932.12878
Publication status	Published - Sept 2025

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1 No Poverty
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities

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10.1111/1475-4932.12878Licence: CC BY

Cite this

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The Falling Returns to Education in Australia

Abstract

UN SDGs

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