26 Nov 2020

There’s a common misconception among Aussies that getting a uni degree is the best way to get money. 

This is a myth we need to debunk right now!

First thing's first, the average cost of a degree in Australia is $28,600. That is a huge amount of crippling debt, before you've even got any experience under your belt.

What a lot of people don't realise is that while they’re racking up thousands of dollars in debt to get their qualification, there is a post-school option where you actually get paid to complete training.

Enter apprenticeships and traineeships. Hands-on roles, plenty of on-the-job experience and earning all the while. Both paid gigs, this training pathway is at virtually no cost.

Sounds pretty sweet right? Yet, for some reason, one in five Australians believe one of the main reasons Australians are increasingly choosing to undertake university courses over VET courses is because of the perception that VET graduates earn lower wages than university graduates.

Too often we are made to believe that ATARs and uni are the be-all and end-all when it comes to snatching a job that pays the big bucks. But there are a number of sweet paying jobs in Australia that pay well over six figures and don't require a pesky ATAR or uni degree. 

In 2017, research found that a bachelor graduate's median salary is $54,000, compared to a VET graduate's median full-time income is $56,000. On top of this, a bachelor's graduate has the acruing debt from their studies, where as a VET graduate has acruing real-life industry experience! 

We grapple our way into uni thinking it’ll make us more employable, because it's thought that you'll find work easier being a uni graduate rather than a VET graduate. But that’s not exactly the case.

VET graduates actually have an higher employment rate than undergraduates! The proportion of bachelor degree graduates in full-time employment after studying at university is only 69%, compared to 78% for VET graduates. 

So there are the facts. If doing an apprenticeship or traineeship is something you’re keen on, don’t let the myths surrounding how much money you can earn deter you. It seems VET provides students with a faster, more cost-effective pathway to complete a qualification and enter the workforce, than university undergraduate programs. 

It's super cringey but, choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. Take it from us, it’s true. Whether it be building things, helping others, managing projects. Whether it be a uni degree or an apprenticeship. Find what you’re passionate about and you’ll love what you do no matter the paycheque.  

If you are keen on getting more info about occupations and how much you could earn in your career of choice, check out our Post-School Plan.