Why has the government increased the minimum school leaving age?
The minimum school leaving age is being raised to ensure that school-leavers have the opportunity to maximise their preparation for further education or training or employment. There is compelling Australian and international research which demonstrates that people with higher levels of schooling are more likely to make a successful transition to further education, training, or work. Early school-leavers are also two and a half times more likely to be unemployed, earn lower wages and have poorer quality of life outcomes. Those who do not leave school early generally enjoy enhanced life choices and better economic and social outcomes, the research shows.
