(In)equality of opportunity: educational attainments of young people from rural, regional and urban Australia

Since 1990, the Australian higher education system has experienced ongoing reform resulting in number of universities and student populations more than doubling. Despite this expansion, inequalities access to related family background location persist. Due concentration campuses capital cities each state, geographic may be as important those socio-economic status. Our analysis data collected by Longitudinal Surveys Youth (LSAY) research programme shows that students from regional rural areas are less likely their urban peers enrol at university. Furthermore, trend persists when levels academic achievement age 15 Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) accounted for. Given demand for highly educated workers is increasing with no post-school qualifications most experience unemployment or underemployment, inaccessibility educational opportunities consign current generation non-metropolitan youth extended periods precarious employment.