Skills Education

Australia's National VET System: An Introduction to VET

VET stands for Vocational Education and Training and is widely recognised as the type of education and training that provides practical skills and underpinning knowledge required for work in various occupations. It is a diverse system and includes short courses, certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, apprenticeships, and traineeships.

VET plays a vital role in supporting the economic and social development of Australia. It provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed for work and life. In 2022, over 4.5 million students were enrolled in a VET course (NCVER, 2023); a figure that represents about a quarter of the Australian population aged 15-64 years (Ey, 2021).

(Image by DALL-E 3)

The history of VET in Australia is a rich one dating back to the colonial period, when apprenticeships were the main form of skill development for trades and crafts. Today, we have a national system that reflects the original intent of the coordinated training system introduced in 1992 when all nine states and territories agreed to create a more uniform approach to vocational education and training.

For anyone working within the VET sector, there’s no denying the intricacies of the sector can be confusing at times, with unique jargon and repositioning and restructure a seeming staple of the environment.

The Australian VET system is big, complex and subject to constant change. In fact, right now, as of November 2023, the VET sector is in the middle of reform activity. For the past year, there has also been significant restructure due to the 2022 change of Federal Government.

See the course topics below to find out more about Australia’s National VET System.

- Updated 14.11.23