The line graph and the table illustrate the proportion of Australian graduates in full-time employment and compare the average salaries of mathematics graduates with those of other graduates over the period from 2004 to 2012.
Overall, the proportion of mathematics graduates remained relatively stable, whereas that of other graduates fluctuated throughout the period. Both groups started with identical salaries and showed upward trends. However, the pay of mathematics graduates ultimately surpassed the earnings of other graduates.
The proportion of mathematics graduates remained steady, at just over three quarters in 2004, rose slightly until 2008, and then returned to around 75% by 2012. By contrast, a greater variation was observed in the share of other graduates; it started below 65%, rose to about 80% by 2006 and gradually dropped below 65% at the end of the period. Despite the different trajectories, both groups ended at roughly the same level as they began.
With regard to salary, the figures for both groups were identical in 2004 and 2006, at 41,000 and 43,000 dollars respectively. From 2006 onwards, mathematics graduates experienced significant growth, with salaries rising from 43,000 to 51,000 in 2010 and then climbing sharply to 56,000 by 2012. Although a steady upward trend was also recorded among other graduates, their salaries rose more modestly, from 41,000 in 2004 to 51,000 in 2012.