STEM Enrolments

In reply to Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (22 July 2014) (Estimates Committee B).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers): I have been advised:

Figures on year 12 completed enrolments are compiled and published by the SACE Board of South Australia. According to the SACE Board's 2013 annual data report, there were 9,007 enrolments in STEM-based subjects.

The SACE Board is expected to publish enrolments figures for 2014 in early 2015. Expected 2015 figures are not available as predictions are not captured by the SACE Board.

Figures on tertiary enrolments are compiled and published through the commonwealth Department of Education. According to the department's higher education statistics collection, there were 5,776 commencing enrolments and 10,458 continuing enrolments in STEM fields of education in 2013. The 2014 figures are not available until mid-2015. Expected 2015 figures are not published by the commonwealth Department of Education.