You-ducation AI

Team Name

Data Dreamers

Team Members

Project Description

In today's rapidly evolving job market, young Australians face increasing challenges in making informed decisions about their post-school education, training, and career pathways. These decisions may be influenced by various factors, including socioeconomic background, geographic location, access to career guidance, and personal perceptions of financial outcomes. Many students lack the tools to fully understand the long-term impact of their educational choices on job security, income potential, and career sustainability. This situation is further complicated by the dynamic nature of the industries, the rising importance of digital and green skills, and the growing disparities between urban and rural access to education and employment opportunities.

Data Story

Our Mission
Our mission is to identify the factors that truly influence the early career pathway choices of young Australians with the use of data and suggest an AI model which would leverage government data to provide customised career recommendations to the people to better guide for future careers without undue influence from other external factors.
Our Approach
We analysed government data and understood the current education scenario among youth in Australia. Several factors are affecting the choices of education and employment and described below. We obtained the data from various sources including The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth and Australian Bureau of Statistics. Using these data, we established the main factors affecting their career choices and the financial outcomes for both with and without non-school qualification. With such an understanding, an AI model has been suggested which would use the government data to support young people in helping to choose the right career path based on their experience, interests, and background.
Methodology and Findings
This report seeks to explore and interpret the critical factors that influence young Australians (15–24 years) in their decisions to pursue post-school education, skills, and training. It examines vocational education and training (VET), higher education, and apprenticeships, while considering the impact of those decisions on early career pathways. The project aligns with the DEWR’s mission to support Australians in securing meaningful employment with skills for the future.
Perception of Value
Increasing financial stress is pushing more young Australians to seek employment immediately after completing Year 12, with only 61.1% of people aged 15-24 enrolled in study in 2023, down from 64.5% in 2021. According to the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), financial stress among 22-year-olds rose from 24% in 2016 to 30% in 2022, with many struggling to meet basic needs like paying rent or heating their homes. Despite this, LSAY data shows no significant difference in weekly pay between Year 12 completers and those with a bachelor's degree, making further education seem less attractive. However, earnings data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the median weekly salary of those with non-school qualifications is 51.82% higher than for those without, and their pay increased by 31.29% from 2014 to 2023, outpacing inflation, which grew by 27.16%. In contrast, the pay increase for those without qualifications (25.54%) lagged behind inflation, underscoring the long-term financial benefits of pursuing further education, despite immediate financial challenges.
Socioeconomic Factor
Both student and school socioeconomic status significantly influence academic achievement and the likelihood of enrolling in a bachelor's degree. By age 25, 35% of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds enrolled in university, compared to 64% from high socioeconomic backgrounds. However, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds had a higher chance of enrolling in a bachelor’s degree if they attended high-socioeconomic schools, while students from high socioeconomic backgrounds were half as likely to enroll if they attended low-socioeconomic schools, highlighting the dual importance of individual and school socioeconomic environments in shaping educational outcomes.

Parents and peers
The strongest predictors of occupational aspirations are parental influences, peer plans and individual academic performance. i.e., Students whose parents want them to attend university are four times more likely to plan to complete Year 12 and 11 times more likely to plan to attend university compared with those whose parents expect them to choose a non-university pathway. Also, The higher education plans of peers also have a strong influence: students whose friends plan to attend university are nearly four times more likely to plan to attend university.
Geographic location
The data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics highlights that geographic location significantly impacts the enrolment of young Australians (aged 15–24) in post-school education. In 2023, enrolment rates were higher in major cities (63.4%), while significantly lower in remote areas i.e., inner regional areas at 59.3% and outer regional areas at 52.7%. This trend has remained consistent over the years, indicating that urban youth have better access to educational institutions and resources, whereas geographic barriers in regional and remote areas continue to hinder participation in higher education and vocational training.
You-ducation AI Model
The You-ducation AI platform offers a groundbreaking solution to the challenge of helping young Australians make informed career and education decisions by providing personalized recommendations based on real-time data. The platform uses machine learning algorithms to analyze individual profiles—including academic performance, interests, geographic location, and financial circumstances—and matches these inputs with optimal education and career pathways. It leverages government data from sources such as ABS, NCVER, HILDA and Graduate Outcomes Surveys to deliver insights into future job demand, salary potential, and skill sustainability. It also offers features like financial aid matching, augmented reality (AR) career simulations, and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that students are aligned with secure and well-paid career options.
By addressing geographic and socioeconomic disparities, the platform fosters equitable access to career guidance for all students, particularly those in rural and disadvantaged areas, It seamlessly aligns with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations' (DEWR) mission of building a skilled, sustainable workforce for everyone. The platform’s financial aid tools and cost-benefit analysis features highlight the evaluation of short-term and long-term financial returns of the education choices, helping students make smart, informed decisions about their futures. Additionally, the real-time labor market insights and AR-powered career exploration keep users up to date on booming sectors like renewable energy and digital industries, ensuring that their skills remain relevant as industries evolve. Partnering with schools, governments, and industry bodies, You-ducation AI is positioned to transform career planning across Australia, offering a personalized, accessible, and data-driven approach that will capture market attention and secure a bright future for Australia’s next generation of professionals.