The Australian Graduate Survey (AGS) was the precursor of the current GOS. The instruments used to collect data in the AGS from graduates included the:
Note that the introduction of the GOS in 2016 was a break in time series from the previous AGS. More information can be found in the 2016 GOS Methodological Report.
Key labour force indicators used in GOS and GOS-L are informed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods. Some variation in key indicator definitions has existed due to survey design differences. To enable greater alignment with the ABS labour force framework, a number of enhancements were made to the 2025 GOS and 2025 GOS-L instruments.
Improved alignment with ABS definitions of key labour force indicators used in GOS and GOS-L reporting allows for greater comparability with nationally reported figures and further enriches the data collected in the GOS and GOS-L, the only national sources of higher education graduate outcomes in Australia. However, while improvements made to key indicators in 2025 have strengthened these measures and allowed for greater comparability with national figures reported by the ABS, these changes do have implications on the comparability with historical data. More information can be found in the 2025 GOS National Report.
The core instrument is outlined in the questionnaire item summary here.
A copy of the core survey instrument can be found in the Appendices of each year’s GOS Methodological Report.