Last year 81.1 per cent of CSU graduates secured full-time work within four months of completing their degree, which puts them head and shoulders above state and national results.

In NSW, 72.1 per cent of graduates secured full-time work, while nationally it was 71.3 per cent, according to Graduate Careers Australia (GCA).

CSU deputy vice chancellor (academic) professor Garry Marchant said the success of the university’s graduates is due to a number of factors.

He said CSU is very focused on graduate outcomes, and they ensure work placements and internships are part of course curriculums.

“They [students] build relationships with employers over their degrees,” he said.

Professor Marchant said courses offered by CSU’s regional campuses also help ensure the high rate of students securing full-time employment after graduation.

“We still have a lot of labour shortages in regional areas, including health, accounting, law, engineering, teaching, social work and nursing,” he said. 

“Since most students are regional they then to want to stay regional [for employment].”

Professor Marchant said around 7.5 per cent of last year’s CSU graduates went on to complete further education, such as a masters degree, while many of the remaining students were in casual or part-time employment.

GCA executive director Dr Noel Edge said the unemployment market has yet to fully recover from the downturn experienced in late 2008 following the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Professor Marchant agreed and said while more CSU students may find work than the national average, the rate is down compared to pre-GFC.

“Five or six years ago we were up at 88 per cent, but the economy has dropped off,” he said. 

“The economy has been a challenging environment. It might take longer to get a job but they’re getting a job.”