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Australian Graduate Survey

The Australian Graduate Survey (AGS) is the national census of newly qualified higher education graduates. Conducted annually since 1972, the AGS surveys new graduates from all Australian universities, and a number of higher education institutes and colleges, approximately four months after they complete the requirements for their awards. The survey response rate for domestic graduates—the primary focus of the AGS—typically ranges from 60 to 65 per cent.

Over the last thirty years, the AGS has grown to play an ever more significant role in shaping Australian higher education, with AGS results representing the only nationally consistent measure of graduate outcomes in Australian higher education.

The AGS comprises the Graduate Destination Survey (GDS) and, depending on the graduate, either the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) or Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ).

  • The Graduate Destination Survey (GDS) collects information regarding graduates’ employment and salary outcomes, continuing study and labour market status, job search behaviour, previous education history and other key respondent characteristics.
  • The Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) probes key elements of the higher education experience relevant to coursework graduates, focusing largely on their perceptions of course quality, their self-rated skill levels, and their overall satisfaction with their course.
  • The Postgraduate Research Experience Questionnaire (PREQ) probes key elements of the higher education experience relevant to research degree graduates.

Who is it of interest to?

AGS data provide valuable insights for higher education policy makers, workforce planners and researchers, academics and administrators, and, of course, the graduates themselves. Findings from the GDS also assist prospective higher education students to make informed course and career decisions, and careers advisors can integrate these findings into their career counselling practices.

Where can I see the findings?

GCA publishes a range of annual research reports based on AGS data. Summary findings from the AGS are available for free download in GradFiles and GradStats, while more detailed findings are presented in our series of detailed research reports. Key graduate outcomes data, such as employment rates and salaries, can also be examined by field of study and level of award on our Grad Jobs and Dollars page.

Where can I get more information about the survey?

For more detailed information on the Australian Graduate Survey, please visit the Survey Training And Resources Tool (START) website.

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