Australia is expected to need more workers with higher-level qualifications over the coming decades, but the country’s projected university attainment rate remains below a target recommended by the Australian Universities Accord, according to Universities Australia (UA).
The issue follows the release of the 2026 Intergenerational Report (IGR), which examines Australia’s economy, population and government finances over the next 40 years.
The report projects that the share of Australians with a university degree will rise from around 40% currently to 47% by 2065-66.
Universities Australia, which represents 38 universities, has highlighted the gap between this projection and the Accord’s recommendation of a 55% university attainment rate among Australians aged 25 to 34 by 2050.
The IGR identifies several major forces expected to reshape Australia’s economy, including artificial intelligence, population ageing, the energy transition, geopolitical developments and industrial transformation.
These changes are expected to increase demand for workers with advanced skills and higher-level qualifications.
Universities Australia is also calling for changes to the Job-ready Graduates scheme, which influences government funding and student contributions across different courses.
The debate highlights the challenge Australia faces in aligning higher education participation with the skills expected to be needed as the economy changes over the coming decades.
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