Education is Now About Return on Investment

Australia’s online learners are rethinking what they want from higher education, and traditional degrees are no longer the only measure of value.

The students want a return on their investment in education, 81% of students say guaranteed career outcomes, such as a $15,000 to $20,000 promotion, would significantly influence their enrolment decision.

Affordability (83%) and flexibility remain key drivers, students are increasingly focused on whether a qualification will deliver tangible professional outcomes - be it advancement in their current role, higher earning potential or improved employability in a job competitive market.

There are significant shifts in student attitudes and behaviours. 73% of students believe they need credentials beyond a bachelor's degree to improve career prospects, up from 66% in 2024.

According to the The 2025 Voice of the Online Learner report, interest in alternative credentials has surged, with 56% now willing to pursue industry-recognised certifications, up from 34% in 2024, and 53% open to short online certificates and micro-credentials, up from 25% in 2024. Additionally, 60% believe they can attain a promotion with a 4-subject graduate certificate rather than a full master's, up from 43% in 2024.

Students increasingly see their online degrees as career-relevant, with 85% agreeing that their online degree is significant in helping them achieve career goals, up from 76% in 2024.

The rise of artificial intelligence has become a defining factor, with 84% agreeing that generative AI skills are critical in the contemporary workplace, up from 61% in 2024, and 85% now use generative AI tools as a learning tool, up from 69% in 2024. However, only 32% report that their university integrates AI technologies into the curriculum most or all of the time, highlighting a significant gap between student expectations and institutional delivery.

Students are increasingly prioritising short-form, flexible credentials that offer faster, more targeted pathways to career advancement.

Based on responses from 1,801 Australians enrolled in or considering online programs, the 2025 report shows a decisive shift in student expectations, driven by cost-of-living pressures, evolving workforce demands, and the rapid rise of generative AI. For higher education institutions, this represents a clear opportunity to expand offerings and strengthen engagement with lifelong learners.

These findings indicate strong momentum behind stackable, outcome-driven credentials. Rather than replacing traditional degrees, these credentials are reshaping the broader higher education value proposition, offering institutions new ways to meet learner needs and support national skills development.

The AI skills gap represents a critical challenge for universities. While 84% of students recognise generative AI as essential for workplace success and 85% are already using AI tools as a learning tool, only 32% report that their university is integrating these technologies into the curriculum. This disconnect is driving students to seek alternative credentials that offer the practical, workforce-ready AI skills their degrees may not provide.