Key Takeaways:
- VET participation rose 5.8% in 2024, with 266,765 secondary school students (nearly 28% of Australia’s 15–19-year-olds) enrolled in vocational education and training.
- Private RTOs now deliver 41% of VET in Schools programs, marking a 10.4% rise from 2023 and expanding access to flexible, industry-aligned learning.
- The most popular training package qualifications in 2024 were Tourism, Sport, Business, Construction, and Community Services, reflecting strong job market demand.
- Certificate II remains the most common qualification level, accounting for 57% of enrolments, while higher-level study continues to grow steadily.
- Government funding supports over 80% of all VET in Schools students, ensuring inclusive access to practical education for First Nations learners, students with disability, and regional participants.
Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector is proving to be a key driver in developing the next generation of skilled professionals. According to NCVER’s VET in Schools 2024 report, participation rose by 5.8% compared to 2023, with a total of 266,765 students enrolled across Australia. This means nearly 28% of the school-aged population aged 15 to 19 participated in vocational learning during 2024.
While the headline figure marks the highest level since records began, the data paints a more meaningful picture. It shows how early VET qualifications are aligning education with industry demand, supporting regional development, and shaping the country’s future workforce capabilities.
In this blog, we’ll explore the NCVER 2024 findings through an industry lens, looking at which training package qualifications led enrolments, where participation is strongest, and how these trends are influencing Australia’s emerging workforce landscape.
Participation and Provider Trends Across the Nation
In 2024, growth in vocational education and training participation was seen across nearly every state and territory, with Queensland maintaining its lead nationally. The state accounted for 39.4% of all VET in Schools students, confirming its strong focus on practical, employment-oriented education.
A major driver of growth came from private registered training organisations (RTOs):
- 109,495 students were trained by private providers, marking a 10.4% increase from 2023.
- Private RTOs now account for 41% of all school-based VET enrolments nationwide.
This shift demonstrates that private providers are playing an increasingly important role in connecting students with industry. Their flexibility, range of training package qualifications, and partnerships with employers continue to expand access to quality vocational programs across regional and urban Australia.
Government schools remained the largest contributors to participation, followed by Catholic and independent schools, showing broad national commitment to embedding VET in Schools (VETiS) within secondary education.
Top Training Package Qualifications Reflect Industry Demand
Across all program types, training package qualifications remained the cornerstone of school-based VET in 2024, with 366,245 enrolments, up 7.1% from the previous year. The top qualifications chosen by students were:
- Tourism, Travel and Hospitality: 15.5% of enrolments
- Sport, Fitness and Recreation: 13.8%
- Business Services: 11.5%
- Construction, Plumbing and Services: 7.1%
- Community Services: 6.7%
These figures show that young Australians are gravitating toward sectors with strong employability and transferable skills. Industries such as hospitality, business, and construction remain vital contributors to the national economy. The continued popularity of these fields underscores the growing awareness of how vocational education and training can lead to direct employment outcomes and pathways to further study.
Apprenticeships: Strengthening Skill Pathways from School to Work
The data also highlights strong growth in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) — one of the most direct pathways from education into the workforce. In 2024:
- 21,515 students were enrolled in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
- This represents 8.1% of all VET in Schools participants, up 11.4% from 2023.
The most common training package qualifications for apprentices and trainees were:
- Business Services (16.1%)
- Community Services (11.9%)
- Tourism, Travel and Hospitality (12.7%)
- Construction, Plumbing and Services Integrated Framework (10.5%)
- Automotive Industry Retail, Service and Repair (9.3%)
These programs help students gain nationally recognised VET qualifications while building hands-on skills valued by employers. The steady rise in apprenticeships demonstrates how early engagement in work-based learning continues to support Australia’s workforce readiness — particularly in essential service and trade sectors.
Qualification Levels: A Full 2024 Breakdown
Understanding where students start and progress within VET qualifications helps RTOs and educators plan future delivery models. The 2024 NCVER data shows that most students begin their vocational journey at an entry level, with a smaller but significant number progressing to higher-level qualifications.
Here’s the breakdown of 2024 enrolments by qualification level:
- Certificate I: 26,225 enrolments (≈6.6%)
- Certificate II: 225,470 enrolments (57.1%)
- Certificate III: 129,695 enrolments (32.8%)
- Certificate IV: 6,685 enrolments (≈1.7%)
- Diploma or Higher: 7,000 enrolments (≈1.8%)
These figures highlight how vocational education and training provides an accessible entry point for secondary students. Most begin with foundational qualifications and progress into higher levels as they gain confidence and competence, often transitioning into apprenticeships, traineeships, or tertiary-level VET programs after school.
Equity and Inclusion: Expanding Opportunities Nationwide
The 2024 data also emphasises the inclusivity of vocational education and training pathways. Public funding and support mechanisms continue to make VET accessible to a diverse range of learners across Australia.
Key participation insights include:
- 98.9% of apprentices and trainees received government funding.
- 83.1% of other VET students were publicly supported.
- 16,075 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students participated in VET — up 17.9% from 2023.
- 7,985 students with disability were enrolled nationwide.
These figures reflect VET’s expanding role in improving equity and access, ensuring that every learner, regardless of background or location, can practical, work-relevant skills for future success.
The Workforce Impact: What This Means for RTOs
The findings reaffirm that vocational education and training is deeply embedded in Australia’s secondary education system. With participation rising across states and industries, RTOs have new opportunities to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s skilled workforce.
To make the most of these trends, RTOs can focus on several strategic areas that align with both student demand and national workforce priorities:
- Building strong partnerships with schools and employers. Collaborate with schools to deliver programs that reflect industry needs and create opportunities for practical experience through employer partnerships.
- Prioritising high-demand qualifications. Focus delivery on in-demand training package qualifications such as business, tourism, construction, and community services to align with workforce priorities and attract sustained enrolments.
- Embedding compliance and validation. Strengthen assessment and validation processes to meet ASQA’s outcomes-based approach. Use mapped, audit-ready resources that demonstrate measurable learner outcomes.
- Enhancing learner engagement and support. Adopt training resources and delivery methods that cater to school-aged learners. Clear instructions, flexible formats, and engaging assessments can improve completion rates.
By embracing these strategies, RTOs can position themselves at the centre of Australia’s skills ecosystem. Delivering compliant, engaging, and industry-aligned VET qualifications not only strengthens workforce capability but also ensures long-term sustainability for training providers in a competitive education market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the 2024 VET in Schools data influence future training package development?
The 2024 findings are likely to guide Jobs and Skills Councils in updating training package qualifications. With rising enrolments in hospitality, community services, and trades, upcoming revisions may introduce new units or skill sets focused on sustainability, digital literacy, and emerging technologies to better align with modern workforce needs.
What opportunities do these trends create for regional and remote RTOs?
Participation growth outside major cities signals strong potential for regional RTO expansion. Delivering vocational education and training locally helps fill ongoing skill shortages in healthcare, construction, and tourism, while also improving youth employment outcomes in areas where access to post-school training remains limited.
How can RTOs use NCVER data to strengthen industry partnerships?
RTOs can leverage this data to demonstrate evidence-based demand when engaging employers or schools. Aligning course offerings to high-demand VET qualifications, such as business services and construction, supports collaboration on placements, work-integrated learning, and school-based apprenticeship pathways.
What role will technology play in expanding access to VET in Schools?
Digital delivery models and e-Learning platforms are becoming vital tools for delivering vocational education and training to younger learners. These technologies allow schools and RTOs to reach more students, particularly in remote communities, by providing interactive online theory components supported by local practical training.
How can RTOs future-proof their delivery as VET participation continues to rise?
With school-based enrolments growing annually, RTOs should prioritise flexible delivery models, audit-ready assessment tools, and validated training package qualifications. Focusing on compliance, learner engagement, and workforce-aligned content will ensure sustainability as the VET sector continues to expand under the Standards for RTOs 2025.
Conclusion
NCVER’s report confirms that vocational education and training remains a strong cornerstone of Australia’s workforce development strategy. Participation continues to grow, qualifications are diversifying, and students are gaining practical experience that leads directly into employment and further study.
As the demand for skilled workers increases, RTOs play a vital role in maintaining quality, relevance, and accessibility across all VET qualifications. By partnering with schools, industry, and Jobs and Skills Councils, training providers can help shape the future of Australia’s workforce — one qualification at a time.
