CFA Institute 2023 Graduate Outlook Survey

63% Australian graduates rated ‘a good salary’ as what they look for most in a prospective employer.

CFA Institute surveyed almost 10,000 current university students and recent graduates aged 18-25 from 13 markets on their career outlook.

Key findings from the global survey:

• The most important factors Australian graduates seek in a prospective employer are a good salary (63%), flexible working environment (50%) and job training and opportunities (39%).
• 75% of Australian graduates say they are confident in their future career prospects, up from 65 % in 2021.
• Regarding work arrangements, 48% of Australian graduates prefer a hybrid working environment compared to 15% of graduates wanting to work entirely in the office and 15% wanting to be entirely remote.
• 76% of Australian graduates believe that pursuing a degree is worth it and that their career prospects are improved by undertaking a degree (73%).
• 93% said upskilling or acquiring professional/post-graduate certifications is important to the job market.
• Australian graduates are most confident about a career in healthcare, followed by finance, sales, media and marketing, education then IT and technology. Australians are more upbeat about finding employment in healthcare than international graduates, who are most confident about finding employment in the finance sector.