About the survey

The NSW Post-School Destinations and Experiences Survey (PSDES) collects information about the main destinations of recent school leavers in the 6 to 12 months after leaving school.

The PSDES collects vital information to provide up-to-date research and informed advice to schools, the NSW Department of Education, the NSW Minister for Education, and other education agencies about the activities of young people in NSW after they leave school. The survey gathers data on education pathways, destinations, attainment and further education and training.

The survey targets 2 groups:

• students who completed Year 12 in the year before the survey
• students who have left school before completing Year 12 in the same period.

Approximately 35,000 school leavers take part each year and key findings are published in the annual report. Where available, the technical report outlines the survey methodology and the factsheets provide detailed information on participant subgroups or topics of interest.

How long will it take?

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Why is the survey conducted?

The survey provides critical information on education pathways, attainments and destinations of young people in NSW. School leaders and policy makers use the results to improve planning and support for students to ensure they are adequately prepared for life beyond school.

How do I complete the survey?

Former students will receive a letter and/or email inviting them to participate in the survey. This communication will include a link and a QR code directing them to the Post-School Destinations and Experiences Survey.

We also provide contact information for our survey partners, the Social Research Centre (SRC), who are managing the fieldwork. They can arrange a computer-assisted telephone interview with students or their carers upon request.

What will the survey cover?

Current post-school status:

• what school leavers are doing in the year after leaving school
• employment status
• educational or training status
• information on early entry offers or university
• related post-school questions.

Demographics:

• gender, nationality, language spoken
• identified disability or additional learning needs.
• parent or caregiver information: education levels, tertiary qualifications, current occupation.

Responses will help us better understand post-school support needs of our school communities.

Who is involved in the project?

The NSW Department of Education, through the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation (CESE), has engaged the Social Research Centre (SRC) to manage and conduct the survey. CESE will be undertaking all analysis and reporting components of the survey. This research project is supported by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), Catholic Schools NSW and the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.

What does the survey tell us?

The survey has been conducted annually since 2014 and respondents include recent school leavers from government, Catholic and independent schools. The survey provides information about changes in post-school destinations and trends in NSW. The survey also provides valuable insight into the factors that drive student engagement, education achievement and pathway choices.

Further information

If you would like further information, please contact the CESE Survey Research team via email: ESM_surveyteam@det.nsw.edu.au.