In this report the author examines the activities and aspirations of a national sample of students who were in Year 9 in Australian secondary schools in 1998, and the reference period is 1999. The author examines those students remaining in school: their characteristics, beliefs about ability, views of classroom and school climate, engagement with school, participation in part-time employment and plans for leaving school. The author also reports on those students who have already left school before the end of year 10: looking at the characteristics of this group, their reasons for leaving and their main activity since leaving school.