More than 3000 extra Year 12 school leavers have applied to study at university next year compared to 2012, according to the Federal Government.

Data shows more than 147,600 preliminary applications have been submitted to study at university in 2013 – a rise of 3247 on this year’s applications.

Of the total number of applications, more than 42,000 applications were made by people from a low socioeconomic status background, up almost two per cent compared to the same time last year. More than 58 per cent of applications were by female students.

Applications from Indigenous applicants increased by more than four per cent and applications from regional students were maintained.

Senator Evans said highlighted the importance of continuing to increase the number of people heading to university for tertiary education, adding the Federal Government has set a target that by  
2025, 40 per cent of all 25 to 34-year-olds will hold a bachelor's degree or above.

“It is an economic imperative that we meet these targets. If we don't, we will consign ourselves to low economic growth and will not be able to compete in the future economy," the Senator said.

“The only way we will fill the jobs of the future is by spreading the opportunity of a university education to all Australians."

Year 12 students in Queensland received their final results on the weekend.

“This is a nerve-wracking time of year for a lot of students as they wait for their final exams results and weigh up their options on what and where to study,” Senator Evans said.

“Going to university is a major investment of time and resources so students need to make sure they are choosing the right university to match their needs."

Queensland recorded the second highest increase in applications (3.4 per cent) trailing Tasmania (6.6 per cent).