Here is a summary profile of their personal characteristics, work and leisure patterns, beliefs and church attendance patterns. It concludes with some comments about possible ministry needs and opportunities.

Personal characteristics

• According to the Australian Community Survey (ACS), university graduates are mostly aged 20–49 years (78%), with 13% aged 50–59 years and 9% aged over 60 years. There are slightly more males (52%) than females (48%) in this group.
• University graduates have some of the highest incomes among Australians. According to the ACS, some 41% received more than $70,000 per annum, compared with 17% of the population. Overall, 80% of university graduates received over $30,000 per annum in 1997, compared with 58% of the population.

Work and leisure

• Work and occupation. According to the ACS, some 79% of university graduates are employed compared with 60% of the population. Relatively few (1%) are currently unemployed or are fulltime homemakers (4%). More than half (53%) say that they are or have been in professions working with people (eg doctors, lawyers, social workers). Another 19% are or were involved in professions of a more technical nature (eg engineers, architects, surveyors).
• University graduates are busy. University graduates claim to be some of the busiest people in the community. On a scale ranging from 1 (not at all busy) to 7 (too busy to cope), most university graduates (79%) score 5 or higher, compared with a national average of 62%. In terms of working hours, university graduates are more likely to work more than 40 hours per week (49% compared with 32% of the population).
• They are involved in many groups. A striking characteristic of university graduates is that they are more likely than others to be involved in a range of community groups, including business groups (29% compared with 15% of the population), school and educational groups (25% compared with 17% of the population), cultural groups (16% compared with 9% of the population), social justice groups (11% compared with 7% of the population), and environmental groups (7% compared with 4% of the population). It appears that university both motivates and equips a person for a wider community involvement.
• They have a night-life. In terms of leisure activities, university graduates often dine out (63%) and go to cinemas (44%) or parties (31%), which is consistent with their younger age profile. They are also more likely to go to concerts at least monthly (23% compared with 10% of the population) and engage in outdoor activities other than sport (58%).
• Places they meet friends. The most important places in which they meet with their friends include their home (85%) and their workplace (45%). They are more likely than others to see the internet as an important way in which to meet with their friends (7% compared with 5% of the population). The percentage in relation to use of the internet may have increased significantly since the ACS was conducted in 1998.
• Major newspapers are important media to them. University graduates rely more on major daily newspapers to get their news than other segments of the population. Around half (51%) of university graduates read major newspapers several times a week compared with 34% of the population. They are less likely to read local newspapers several times a week (25%) than the wider population (34%) and are less reliant on radio, with only 24% of university graduates citing radio as an important source of local information.

Beliefs and church attendance

• Higher levels of church attendance. Consistent with their greater levels of involvement in other community groups, university graduates are also more likely to be involved in churches. Some 23% of graduates attend church frequently, compared with 20% of the population.
• Confidence in science. University graduates are much more likely than others to have high levels of confidence in science (62% compared with 46% of the population). Yet university graduates are just as likely to hold Christian beliefs as others in the community. Around 29% of university graduates agree with a range of Christian beliefs, which is similar to the population as a whole (30%).
• Some interest in alternative spirituality. University graduates are more likely to be interested in alternative or New Age spiritual practices (18%) than the population generally (14%). This is consistent with their younger age profile.
• Values they affirm. In regard to important values in life, university graduates are slightly more likely than others to see excitement in life, meaning in life, spirituality and freedom as very important values. However, they are less likely to see national security as a key value (49% compared with 64% of the population).
• Churches they prefer. The ACS reveals some slight preferences among university graduates regarding the type of churches they would be willing to attend. They are more likely to prefer churches that have a broader emphasis on spirituality not just religion (58% compared with 46% of the population), where the issues of daily life are discussed (56% compared with 49% of the population) and where services are contemporary (23% compared with 16% of the population).

Ministry needs and opportunities

• University graduates are comfortable joining groups. The ACS data shows that university graduates are among the most active participants in community activities, which is indicated by their involvement in a range of groups other than churches. This suggests that they may feel at home in a church environment, partly because:
• they can handle abstract thinking and the higher levels of literacy that are required in many church services and activities
• they are more familiar with formal group procedures and decision-making processes and are less intimidated by having to express themselves publicly in church business meetings or small groups
• they are comfortable in groups that are goal centred and not just social.
• They prefer certain styles of church. Churches may be tempted to think that no particular changes will be needed in church life to accommodate university graduates. However, it will be important for churches to take note of the younger age profile of this group and their positive leaning towards churches that are inclusive and contemporary and where discussion is promoted.

This is one of 14 population profiles prepared by NCLS Research in Source: Profiling Australians (2003)