Early data from universities shows over 26,000 more Australians are set to study at universities this year, to get them the skills they need to get into a job.
Data provided by 25 Australian universities shows a five per cent increase in total enrolments compared to the same period last year. Enrolments of new students are up almost 11,000 or seven per cent.
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the biggest increases in new enrolments have been in courses made cheaper under the Morrison Government's Job-ready Graduates package.
"The Job-ready Graduates package is all about encouraging Australians to study the courses where we know they are most likely to get a job," Minister Tudge said.
"This year more first year students are enrolling in science, agriculture, IT, education and engineering - areas where the jobs of the future will be.
"There has also been an eight per cent increase in enrolments in health, which means more Australians training to be doctors, nurses and other health care professionals.
"Our record $20 billion investment in higher education this year, includes $550 million for extra university and short course places and $1 billion for university research.
"We are backing our universities and Australian students to get the skills they need to get into work and help supercharge our economic recovery."
Final enrolment data will be available later in the year when data for all universities has been submitted and validated.
Commencing undergraduate enrolments, by broad field of education, 2020-2021
| Previous fees | Fees under JRG | 2020 enrolments | 2021 enrolments | % change 2020 to 2021 | |
| Natural and physical sciences |
$9,698 | $7,950 | 17,934 | 20,438 | 14.0% |
| Information Technology | $9,698 | $7,950 | 6,857 | 7,763 | 13.2% |
| Engineering and Related Technologies | $9,698 | $7,950 | 9,509 | 10,415 | 9.5% |
| Architecture and Building | $9,698 | $7,950 | 5,045 | 5,381 | 6.7% |
| Agriculture, Environmental & Related Studies | $9,698 | $3,950 | 1,829 | 2,077 | 13.6% |
| Health | $9,698 | $7,950 | 33,768 | 36,578 | 8.3% |
| Education | $6,804 | $3,950 | 12,731 | 14,133 | 11.0% |
| Management and Commerce | $11,355 | $14,500 | 19,265 | 19,178 | -0.5% |
| Society and Culture | $6,804 | $14,500 | 39,048 | 41,316 | 5.8% |
| Creative Arts | $6,804 | $7,950 | 10,668 | 10,735 | 0.6% |
| Total | 155,482 | 166,297 | 7.0% |
Total undergraduate enrolments by broad field of education, 2020-2021
| 2020 enrolments | 2021 enrolments | % change 2020 to 2021 | |
| Natural and physical sciences | 52,093 | 56,123 | 7.7% |
| Information Technology | 20,864 | 23,942 | 14.8% |
| Engineering and Related Technologies | 37,094 | 38,477 | 3.7% |
| Architecture and Building | 15,809 | 17,061 | 7.9% |
| Agriculture, Environmental and Related Studies | 5,874 | 6,163 | 4.9% |
| Health | 103,358 | 109,959 | 6.4% |
| Education | 46,716 | 50,142 | 7.3% |
| Management and Commerce | 75,458 | 74,876 | -0.8% |
| Society and Culture | 130,492 | 137,975 | 5.7% |
| Creative Arts | 32,528 | 32,838 | 1.0% |
| Total | 513,199 | 539,800 | 5.2% |
