Government-Funded Students and Courses, 2016. Australian Vocational Education and Training Statistics

This publication provides a summary of data relating to students, programs, subjects and training providers in Australia's government-funded vocational education and training (VET) system (defined as all Commonwealth and state/territory government-funded training delivered by technical and further education [TAFE] institutes, other government providers [such as universities], community education providers and other registered providers). The Australian VET system provides training across a wide range of subject areas and is delivered through a variety of training institutions and enterprises (including to apprentices and trainees). The system provides training for students of all ages and backgrounds. Students have many options for training and may study individual subjects or programs, such as full courses that lead to formal qualifications or skill sets that provide a clearly defined link to a licence or regulatory requirement, or defined industry need. Training takes place in classrooms, in the workplace, online and through other flexible delivery methods. Providers of VET in Australia include TAFE institutes, universities, secondary schools, industry organisations, private enterprises, agricultural colleges, community education providers and other government providers. Student participation can also be wide ranging, with some students receiving training from multiple training organisations within the same year. If a student has enrolled with more than one training provider during a collection period it is possible for a student to be counted more than once, so government-funded student counts (and the participation rate based on these counts) may be inflated. Data are presented by the state or territory that administered the funding of the training activity.