University Student Employment and Expectations of the Graduate Labour Market

Young Australians are increasingly combining study with work. Research and media reports frequently reveal that young Australian workers know little about their employment rights, placing them in a poor bargaining position and exposing them to the risk of exploitation. This study, using data from a survey of 1200 Australian university students, finds that students with experience in the labour market are more knowledgeable about their current employment arrangements and more confident about entering the graduate labour market once they finish their studies, reporting higher expectations of job security and being able to negotiate pay. Students also seem aware of segments in the graduate labour market, with confidence also varying by field of study.