• Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister commends Charles Sturt as University tops nation’s graduate employment rankings for the fifth year in a row
• Charles Sturt graduates also enjoy some of the highest average starting salaries, which have increased by $1,600 in the last 12 months
• A positive learning environment and productive industry relationships a winning combination

The Deputy Prime Minister of Australia has highlighted Charles Sturt University’s outstanding results in the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS), with the University topping the nation’s full-time graduate employment rankings for the fifth year in a row.

The latest version of the Good Universities Guide, published by the Good Education Group, reports that more than 87 per cent of Charles Sturt undergraduates and 91 per cent of postgraduates are able to find work within four months of leaving the University.

Charles Sturt graduates topped the national rankings for full-time employment in several fields including Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Business and Management, Law and Paralegal Studies and Psychology.

They were also top of the NSW rankings in Dentistry, Science and Mathematics, Teacher Education and Veterinary Science.

Additionally, the University’s undergraduate starting salaries remain well above the national average - the starting salary of $65,000 for Charles Sturt undergraduates has increased in the past year by $1,600.

Member for Riverina and leader of the National Party, The Hon. Michael McCormack, commended Charles Sturt on its results in the GOS, which informs the Good Universities Guide.

Addressing the Australian Local Government Association’s National Local Roads and Transport Congress at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga on Monday, Mr McCormack highlighted the University’s outstanding results.

He said the report showed if you attended a regional university like Charles Sturt you had every opportunity to get a job when you finished your course.

“Almost, – I’d say – even a better opportunity than perhaps if you go to one of the city universities,” he said.

“There is a bit of a plug for regional areas,” said Mr McCormack, whose three children attended Charles Sturt.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor John Germov said Charles Sturt remains steadfastly dedicated to ensuring its students are armed with the skills required to thrive in the workplace.

“The University’s outcomes in the Good Universities Guide are an assurance to employers across Australia and internationally that our graduates are equipped to make a positive impact from day one,” Professor Germov said.

“This is a credit to the University’s staff, who ensure we deliver high levels of learner engagement and support for students, and to our industry partners who provide our students with real-life practical work placement experiences.

“Our students and graduates continue to personify the University’s ethos of yindyamarra winhanganha, which means the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.”

Other notable ranks and ratings for Charles Sturt University in the Good Universities Guide:

• Five star rating for first-generation attendance
• Five star rating for learner engagement (undergraduate)
• Nation-leading results in learner engagement in Engineering
• State-leading results in learner engagement in Dentistry, Health Services and Support, Rehabilitation, Tourism, Hospitality, Personal Services, Sport and Recreation and Veterinary Science
• Nation-leading results in learning resources for Tourism, Hospitality, Personal Services, Sport and Recreation and Veterinary Science

The Good Universities Guide results come on the back of the QILT 2020 Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal, which found 93.9 per cent of Charles Sturt undergraduates were in full-time employment three years after graduation.

Charles Sturt’s results trumped the national average (90.3 per cent) in this survey and ranked the university in fourth position in Australia.