Dropping Out of School in Australia

Abstract

School dropout rates in Australia fell dramatically during the 1980s. At the beginning of the decade about two in three young people left school early, compared to less than one in three at the decade's close. The aim of this article is to look at changes in the characteristics and outcomes of early school leavers across this critical period. Data for the study are from the Australian Longitudinal Survey and the Australian Youth Survey. Results show differences in the patterns for boys and girls. Across the 1980s, schools recruited more broadly among females, weakening the association between early school leaving and social background. For boys, however, social differences remained entrenched. In terms of outcomes, both male and female early leavers experienced a steep increase in chances of unemployment during their first 12 months after dropping out. But teenage males were far more likely to find work.