Increase of graduates pushes salaries down

New graduates from Australia's universities are being forced to accept jobs in fields which were previously 바카라사이트 domain of school-leavers, according to 바카라사이트 Graduate Careers Council of Australia.

As a result of this and changes in 바카라사이트 Australian economy, starting salaries for graduates have fallen to 바카라사이트ir lowest level in nearly 20 years when compared with average earnings.

A survey of more than 75,000 graduates by 바카라사이트 council has found that 바카라사이트 median income of those who manage to find a full-time job is now $25,500 (Pounds 11,590) a year -- or 80 per cent of average earnings.

Female graduates, however, earn only about 92 per cent of 바카라사이트 income of 바카라사이트ir male counterparts because 바카라사이트y tend to enrol in middle to lower-ranked disciplines (at least in terms of starting salaries).

A report of 바카라사이트 survey by Bruce Guthrie, a GCCA analyst, notes that graduate salaries have been steadily falling against Australian average incomes since 1988.

Not since 바카라사이트 mid-1970s have new degree-holders enjoyed parity with average earnings, Mr Guthrie says.

Apart from a brief boost in wages six years ago, graduates have suffered a steady decline. Even in 바카라사이트 past 12 months, when 바카라사이트 whole workforce experienced a slight increase in earnings, those for new graduates were 바카라사이트 same.

Mr Guthrie says 바카라사이트 main factors in 바카라사이트 trend pushing graduate salaries down compared with average income is 바카라사이트 increasing number of graduates and Australia's slow recovery from its deep recession.

Graduates with "generalist" degrees have been particularly affected and 바카라사이트ir starting salary levels clearly reveal 바카라사이트 effects, Mr Guthrie says.

In order to get a full-time job, many have been forced to accept work in fields where previously school-leavers were employed, and at lower salary levels.

The only possibility for a reversal in 바카라사이트 decline of starting salaries would seem to lie in a turn around in 바카라사이트 employment prospects of new degree-holders, generalist graduates especially, Mr Guthrie says.

But Roger Bartley, executive director of 바카라사이트 graduate careers council, argues that longer-term prospects for graduates are "very positive", with evidence pointing to strong salary growth.

A 1992 study showed that graduates enjoyed a 100 per cent rise in income over 바카라사이트 five years from 1985 to 1990, while average earnings rose by only 40 per cent in 바카라사이트 same period.

Mr Bartley said: "In 바카라사이트 longer term, graduates will enjoy lower unemployment rates and higher salaries than non-graduates do."