Australian Graduate Survey - an overview

The Australian Graduate Survey (AGS) is an annual national survey of newly qualified higher education graduates. It  has been conducted annually since 1972. The AGS is a census in which new graduates from all Australian universities (and a number of higher education colleges) are surveyed approximately four months after they complete the requirements for their awards. The annual response rate for the domestic graduate population is generally between 60 and 65 per cent.

The AGS comprises of the following sections:

  • the Graduate Destination Survey (GDS)
  • the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) or
  • the Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ).

The responses to these surveys provide valuable information to higher education policy makers, work force planners and researchers, university teachers and administrators and to current students. They also provide information for prospective students to assist them in making informed course and career decisions. Careers advisers can integrate the survey results into their counselling practices.

The data is used for research, course and careers advice and educational policy planning and decision making, including funding and institutional development.