This study reports on the extent of casualisation of the postgraduate workforce, the factors relating to casualisation and the conditions of work of postgraduates who graduate between 1980 and 1992. It creates and index of all casually employed postgraduates located by the project who would then be in a position to form a network for mutual support and information sharing. The report also makes an assessment of the employment prospects of postgraduates in different disciplines and geographical locations, which may form a basis for careers education, for those considering postgraduate study.
The study identified the numbers of postgraduates by gender, discipline and university between 1980 and 1992 and then identified postgraduates who graduated since 1980 and who are not in full-time tenure-track employment. The study then posted a mail survey to the people identified. The result illustrated the career profiles, the working conditions, age, year graduated and area of study.