You've just graduated high school with top marks. Next stop is university, right?

For some young people, the answer is no.

They want a tertiary education and have big dreams for their careers, but say cost of living pressures and increasing HECS debts are putting them off enrolling in uni.

Is university worth it in 2024?

Hack brings you the stories that matter to young people. Every weekday host Dave Marchese and the triple j Hack team cover the latest news, politics and culture from all around Australia.

News

Daily News

Okay, we promise this is the last time we’ll talk about the budget (jk, we can’t promise that).

And King Charles' blood red portrait, the painting Gina Rinehart reportedly doesn’t want you to see and a digital installation closed after a week: what do you do when art goes wrong?

Plus, a uni in America has apologised after the announcer at a graduation ceremony mispronounced students' names as they collected their diplomas.

Host Dave Marchese is joined by comedian Billy D’Arcy and journalist and video producer Issy Phillips.

The Shakeup: a 'mid' budget, when art goes wrong and mispronunciation

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico had his hand outstretched, ready to greet the public, when five shots were fired by a man in the crowd trying to assassinate him. 

And pro-Palestinian encampments continue at universities across the country. Some students say they have been issued move-on orders by police, and others say they've been threatened with expulsion and arrest. 

Also, the federal court has ruled that Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek doesn't have to consider the environmental impact of emissions when approving new coal and gas projects. 

Plus, barbering, bush medicine and skateboarding: meet the students taking part in a different kind of schooling outside of Alice Springs. 

Guests:
Neil Fergus, international security expert 
Jo Lauder, climate reporter, ABC

There are more assassination attempts than you realise

More rent assistance, $300 off your power bill and a change to HECS indexation: the Albanese government has delivered its third budget.

The government is promising it's going to address the cost-of-living crisis and the deepening generational divide.

So will it?

We put your questions to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. 

Guests:
Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia
Elizabeth Baldwin, economist, Grattan Institute

The budget + you: the PM answers your questions

With more and more Australians taking up a second job, does the tax system need to change to help people out?

Plus, former military lawyer David McBride has been sentenced to more than five years in jail for sharing secret documents. We unpack what that means for whistleblowing in Australia.

And, why is it that a single word or emoji can turn you off a potential date? One app is helping you filter out your icks. 

Guests:
Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, associate professor, UQ Law School
Ed Cavanough, CEO, McKell Institute
Dr Lauren Gwane, senior lecturer in language and linguistics, Latrobe University

Is tax killing your side hustle?

The government wants to slash Australia's international student intake. Will it actually make a difference to housing availability? 

And more conversations are happening about domestic, sexual and family violence now than maybe ever before. But there’s a whole bunch of people out there who feel like these conversations don't really include them... the queer community. 

Plus, can young people keep the traditional events in their regional towns alive? 

Guests:
Ben Bjarnesen, police officer and founder, LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation 
Phil Honeywood, CEO, International Education Association of Australia

Is university worth it in 2024?

Download our free app to listen on your phone