This paper focuses on three decades of findings from Australian longitudinal studies of adolescents and their transitions from secondary school to further education and training and the labour force. The presenters examine trends in young people’s participation in the post-compulsory years of school; completion of Year 12; participation in and completion of various forms of further education and training; employment rates and earnings; and leaving home and family formation. The data for this presentation come from a number of longitudinal survey programs, which are part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. The oldest cohort comprises young people who were born in 1961. Over the years, cohorts of young people born in 1965, 1970, 1975, 1981, 1984, 1988 and 1991 have been added, creating a valuable source of information about young people’s transitions from school to adult life. After examining how these transitions have changed over three decades, this paper then focuses on what future generations of young people will need to know and be able to do as they embark on their own post-school journey.