One in three Australian tertiary education students have thought about suicide or self-harm in the last 12 months, a study has found.

The research, published by mental health group Headspace with the National Union of Students, found an “alarming” level of anxiety among university and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) students.

The study surveyed 2,600 tertiary students aged between 17 and 25 with 35 per cent, or 910, saying they have considered self-harm or suicide in the past 12 months.

“We know that self-harm rates are increasing, with one in three experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm over the last 12 months,” Jason Trethowan, Chief Executive Officer of Headspace, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Thursday.

“Relatively speaking, the number is extremely high and it’s a point of real concern.”