Curtin graduates rated the best employees in Australia

Curtin University graduates have been rated the best in the country for employer satisfaction, showing they have the skills and qualifications employers value, want and need.

Released today, the latest Australian Government’s Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Employer Satisfaction Survey (ESS) found that employers’ satisfaction level with Curtin graduates was at 89.7 per cent, placing it first among all Australian universities.

This is the first time a Western Australian university has been rated the best for employer satisfaction since the survey began in 2016.

Curtin also scored highest in WA in the Foundation Skills (General literacy, numeracy, communication skills and the ability to investigate and integrate knowledge) and Collaborative Skills (Teamwork and interpersonal skills) categories.

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said she was delighted with the result which demonstrates Curtin’s mission to ensure its students are armed with the tools, knowledge and support they need to not only succeed in their studies but be highly employable.

“This survey result is a wonderful acknowledgement that Curtin provides our students with those skills, competencies and experience they need most to excel in the workforce,” Professor Hayne said.

“This achievement adds to our already outstanding reputation for producing job-ready graduates. Curtin graduates achieve a higher median full-time salary than those from any other WA university. They are also more likely to find a job after graduating – 92 per cent of our domestic graduates obtained employment in 2022, the highest rate of any WA public university.**

“I am so proud of our Curtin students and alumni who make the most of the best higher educational start they can have in life and then go on to achieve great things.”

Curtin prides itself on its commitment to helping student develop industry-ready skills and workplace readiness through work-integrated learning (WIL). These experiences blend theoretical concepts with practice-based learning including projects and activities which involve working inside industry or the community.

These WIL initiatives and collaborations include internships programs to connect students with business and community leaders, practical work placements, site visits, field trips, study tours, industry partner projects, training and guest lectures from industry experts, networking events and international study opportunities.

The latest QILT ESS also shows employers reported the highest overall satisfaction with Engineering graduates (90.2 per cent). Above average satisfaction was recorded for Information Technology, Education, Agricultural and environmental studies and Society and culture studies graduates.