GENDER SEGREGATION IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL-ATTAINMENT IN AUSTRALIA 1978-94

In this paper the extent and change of the gender segregation of cours e completions across fields of study in higher education over the peri od 1978-94 in Australia is measured. It is argued that similar forms o f measurement are appropriate in documenting changing patterns of atta inment in higher education by gender, as those which are used for meas uring occupational gender segregation. The issues relating to the meas urement of gender segregation are briefly explored. Over the period 19 78-86, women and men exhibited a more integrated distribution of cours e completions, as measured by the Karmel and Maclachlan index of (occu pational) segregation. Although women continued to raise their share o f completions over the period 1987-94, there was little change in the extent of gender segregation in aggregate, and segregation increased i n Masters and Bachelors courses. Reference is also made to the impact of changes in the Higher Education Contributory Scheme in 1996 on the gender composition of undergraduate course completions. Policies desig ned to attract women into atypical Higher Education courses are explor ed.