High School Students Abandoning Maths and Science

Maths and science are the backbone of many fast-growing industries—yet fewer Australian high school students are choosing to study them. This trend is raising concerns among educators, policymakers, and employers who warn that Australia’s future STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce could be at risk.

But why are students turning away from these subjects, and what can be done to reverse the decline?

The Decline in STEM Subject Enrolments

Despite growing demand for STEM skills across the job market, participation in high school maths and science has been falling steadily over the last two decades. A NSW Department of Education report shows that while enrolments in advanced maths and physics remain low, students are opting for general or non-STEM electives, particularly in Years 11 and 12.

In NSW alone, less than 10% of Year 12 students took advanced maths in 2023, and fewer than 15% studied chemistry or physics. Meanwhile, enrolments in life sciences and humanities have grown.

This matters because students who don’t take intermediate or advanced levels of maths and science in high school may struggle to meet prerequisites or keep pace with STEM-based university courses, including engineering, data science, and health science degrees.

What’s Driving the Drop?

There’s no single reason behind the decline in maths and science enrolments. Some of the common factors include:

• Perceived difficulty: Students often view these subjects as harder or more stressful, especially if they don’t feel supported early on.
• Curriculum overload: The current curriculum can feel rigid and outdated, lacking real-world application or relevance to modern careers.
• Lack of confidence or interest: Many students disengage from STEM early in school and don’t regain interest later.
• No compulsory requirement: In most Australian states, students can drop advanced maths and science after Year 10.

As a result, fewer students are equipped for STEM pathways in higher education—even when those skills are increasingly vital for future jobs.

Calls for Change: Should STEM Subjects Be Compulsory?

Many education experts have argued for the reinstatement of compulsory maths and science at the senior secondary level. They believe doing so would help lift national performance and align with global standards. Some also recommend universities reintroduce minimum maths or science subject prerequisites for certain degrees, especially in engineering, health, and data-related fields.

But others argue that mandating subjects may not solve the deeper issue: how these subjects are taught. Instead, they call for a curriculum overhaul that makes maths and science more engaging, accessible, and aligned with future career applications.

For example, incorporating real-world scenarios, problem-solving, sustainability challenges, and emerging tech topics like AI and climate science could help students connect the dots between classroom theory and job market relevance.

STEM Skills Are More Important Than Ever

Australia’s economy increasingly depends on STEM talent. From software development to renewable energy, data analytics to health tech, these industries offer some of the most in-demand and well-paid careers.

Even if you’re not aiming to become a physicist or engineer, having a solid foundation in numeracy, data literacy, and scientific reasoning is valuable across many careers—including business, health, communications and digital marketing.

If you’re a high school student (or a parent), keeping maths and science in your subject mix keeps more options open. If you’re an adult considering a career change, bridging courses and science-based qualifications can help you re-enter a STEM pathway at any stage.

Want to Explore STEM Career Paths?

If you’re curious about where maths and science can take you, explore some of the most popular study areas and career options:

• Engineering courses
• Data science and analytics
• Health science and allied health
• Environmental science
• IT and computer science

Whether you’re preparing for university or looking to upskill, the demand for STEM talent is only growing—and the time to act is now.