This study examined participation in year 12 and higher education in Australia. It updates a previous report by including findings from the 1995 cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Youth for 1998 and 1999. Combining these data with those from four previous cohorts shows changes in the patterns of and influences on participation over the last 20 years. The report also addresses several policy and conceptual issues relevant to educational participation, such as rurality, ethnicity, indigenous status, socioeconomic background, part-time work, individual schools, and psychological factors. Findings show that 76% of the 1995 year 9 cohort participated in year 12 education, with females more likely to participate than males, and those with parents with high status occupations or more educated family backgrounds also more likely to participate. Findings also show that participation in higher education was at 31% in 1999 for the 1995 year 9 cohort. Gender differences had grown, with women more likely to participate in higher education. Students with language backgrounds other than English are consistently more likely to participate in higher education, and young people living in nonmetropolitan areas less likely to participate in higher education. Occupational background, school type, and achievement have become more weakly associated with higher education participation over time. (Contains 28 tables, 2 figures, and 17 endnotes.) (SLD)