About LSAY
About the survey
1. What is a longitudinal survey?
A longitudinal survey follows the same participants over an extended period of time, usually several years. In the case of this project, we follow a group of young Australians from the age of 15 years for 10 years.
2. How are survey participants selected?
Since 2003, survey participants have been selected from school students who participate in the Australian component of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey. This is a written test that students undertake in school to assess the knowledge and skills of 15 year-olds. Prior to 2003, students were selected at random across all Australian schools in all school sectors and states.
Survey participants (collectively known as a 'cohort') enter the study when they turn 15 years of age, or in Year 9 (prior to 2003). Studies began in 1995 (Y95 cohort), 1998 (Y98 cohort), 2003 (Y03 cohort), 2006 (Y06 cohort) and more recently in 2009 (Y09 cohort). Over 10,000 students start out in each cohort.
3. When does the next survey group begin?
The next survey group after Y09 is yet to be confirmed.
4. Where can I get the longitudinal survey questions from?
Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) questionnaires are available electronically from the LSAY website and are grouped in their respective cohorts at Technical papers.
5. Who designs the survey questionnaire?
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) works closely with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Wallis Consulting Group to design the survey questions. Changes to the survey are kept to a minimum to maintain consistency across the waves and cohorts.
6. What sort of information is collected in the survey?
Information collected as part of the LSAY program covers a wide range of school and post-school topics, including student achievement, student aspirations, school retention, social background, attitudes to school, work experiences and what students are doing when they leave school.
7. What is a cohort?
The group of young people in the survey is collectively known as a 'cohort'. Studies began in 1995 (Y95 cohort), 1998 (Y98 cohort), 2003 (Y03 cohort), 2006 (Y06 cohort) and more recently in 2009 (Y09 cohort).
8. I'm in the survey, how do I update my details?
You can contact the Wallis Consulting Group by phone on 1800 241 271 or by email at: lsay@wallisgroup.com.au
