‘It just got too hard’: how Year 12 subject cuts are affecting students’ access to uni

Students in Year 12 across Australia are facing mounting difficulties accessing university due to a combination of subject cuts and teacher shortages at public schools, according to new findings from a long-running study. In one central Queensland public high school, student enrolments dropped by 12.5% over a 15-month period, exacerbating existing challenges. The school, already struggling with staff shortages, has had to reduce its offering of senior-level subjects, pushing more students toward private institutions perceived as offering greater educational opportunities. The issue extends beyond individual schools, reflecting broader systemic problems in remote, rural, and disadvantaged areas. Researchers tracking the post-school aspirations of young Australians since 2012 have found that many students do not lack ambition to attend university. Instead, their ability to envision such futures is being stifled by shrinking educational options. Over 10,000 students, along with parents, teachers, and community members, participated in the study, which included surveys, interviews, and focus groups across New South Wales. The latest data collected during 2024–2025 highlights how economic, political, and social factors are shaping students' decisions after school. Many students, especially those in under-resourced schools, find themselves in environments where academic support is limited. As one parent, Catherine, described, the pressure to succeed in a remote community often falls heavily on students. She noted that completing Year 12 requires considerable self-discipline, as students must rely largely on independent study. “To do any of the bigger, better stuff you’ve got to have a lot of willpower,” she said. For Year 12 student Lora, living in the same remote area, the dream of university has grown increasingly distant. Once a goal she envisioned for her future, it now feels unattainable as she progresses through school. “I used to say I’d want to go to uni, when I was younger. But, as I got older [...] everything changed, and it just got too hard.” The situation is creating a troubling cycle. Public schools, particularly those in rural and disadvantaged regions, are losing students to private institutions, further straining their resources. Between 2006 and 2025, the share of Australian students attending private schools rose from 13% to 17%, while public school attendance fell from 67% to 63%. Teachers at these schools are reporting declining enrolments, which complicate efforts to maintain course offerings. One teacher, Breanna, explained that the loss of students has made it harder to sustain subjects like English Advanced and English Extension. “We lose a lot of numbers coming up to secondary,” she said. “Parents think, ‘I don’t want that for my kids,’ so they’ll send them elsewhere. We then can’t offer courses because we just don’t have the numbers or the teachers.” Despite these obstacles, some students are finding alternative ways to access higher education. A few travel to nearby schools to take specific subjects, while others enroll in distance education programs. Additionally, online platforms are connecting students with specialists who can tutor in subjects not available at their local schools. These strategies, however, are not universally accessible and often require additional financial or logistical support. The challenge underscores a growing divide in educational opportunity, with public schools bearing the brunt of systemic underinvestment. As the number of students opting for private education continues to rise, the question remains: what solutions can ensure all students, regardless of background, have fair access to university? For now, the path forward seems uncertain, with many students like Lora watching their dreams slip away.