I can only speak for Perth here, but I find that due to the amount of wealth around this State, kids get things too easy and are generally spoiled. I have seen kids being bought expensive cars once they pass their tests, iphones seem to be common amongst young kids and teenagers, and kids generally have all the latest expensive toys.

I find it hard to set some values for my kids and learn them the value of money, when all around them, their mates seem to get bought very expensive toys. I also find a lot of parents, due either to working away, or as a result of a divorce situation, overspoil their kids due to guilt.

Where is the incentive for kids to do well at school when they know they can leave school and get $120k for driving a truck in the mines, or be a tradie and earn more than those in professional roles. It is no wonder that this state comes up short in the standard of education.

I know the rest of the world are not living like this and can’t help thinking we are living in one big bubble here.

I'd +1 that considering some of the guys I've seen in uni,

On the last point I often wonder if I'm doing the right thing by going to uni (which is crippling my finances) when I see the apprentices who are fully supported by the government and earning a wage whilst enjoying better job opportunities.

Supply and demand really...when the mining eventually drops the trade demand will drop and people will change again...just life.

It's basic economics though, there's demand for engineers and trades and not so much for arts degrees, you need to plan what you want with a degree and go where the skills are required.

surely I don't come across as an arts student?

I'm a geology student and thus my prospects are pretty good, I do however feel it's a bit of a kick in the teeth as I see $3K a semester go missing from my bank account at the same time an apprentice gets grants from the government. Then again I actually enjoy my course of study so can't really complain.

Been many times when not so good for apprentices so I don't begrudge them their turn at the trough.

Separation bribery is no different the world over. A lot of my daughters friends (she is 14) are 15 and 16. They have jobs and pay for their own mobile phone contracts and have iPhones. My daughter has a bog standard mobile phone. I have told her that when she has a job she can get an iPhone contract as long s she pays for it out of her wages. You make a lot of assumptions in your posts.

Is there something wrong with being able to leave school and get $120k for driving a truck or having the nouse (sp) to do a four year apprenticeship and become a tradie? I'd be stoked if my girls had Tradie brains and I'd be just as proud if they thought they were capable of working in the mines. Why do you consider those employment choices to be lacking in a 'standard of education'?

Same the world over my friend.

Theres 100 years left in the coal easily..

Seems coal may be hard hit with the mining tax though?
-off topic -

Hoping thorium will kick off in a big way over the next 20-40 years, if the supporting technology is developed Australia would reap the rewards in a big way considering how much of the stuff we have.

We could hope but things normally run in cycles so shouldn't be surprised if the cycles keep on rolling in...

No-one can leave school and walk straight into a truck driving job in the mines, unless nepotism is alive and well. Because the mines pay big money they can pick and choose, and they are not going to put an inexperienced school-leaver in charge of a very expensive piece of equipment when they can get a driver with years of experience. After all, that's why they offer the big bucks in the first place, to make sure there is sufficient incentive for the experienced people to be prepared to put up with the conditions.

No-one is going to earn big money as a tradie until they have completed their apprenticeship - just like going to Uni really except that as an apprentice you get (lowly) paid because you are actually doing something useful for your employer as well as learning.

However I agree with the OP's basic premise, that your kids will only appreciate the value of things if they have had to do something to earn them. My daughters both worked as checkout chicks at school to be able to buy the things they wanted - I supplied the necessities but not the trendy stuff!

why should a graduate earn more than a plumber?

Why should someone with a degree in media studies earn more than an electronics technician?

Which role is more 'professional'?