This publication estimates the completion rates of VET programs in Australia for both total VET and government-funded (broadly defined as all Commonwealth and state/territory government-funded programs [either Commonwealth or state recurrent funding, Commonwealth specific purpose funding or state specific funding]), in order to fill a gap in performance measures for the VET sector.

Government-funded VET program completion rates have been published in previous publications, the most recent being, Australian vocational education and training statistics: VET program completion rates 2011—15 published in 2017. This is the first publication where total VET program completion rates have been published.

Highlights:

For total VET programs commencing in 2016, the national projected program completion rate is:

• 47% for all VET programs
• 48% for programs delivered by private training providers, 47% for community education providers and 43% for TAFE
• 50% for Commonwealth and state funded programs, 39% for fee-for-service programs undertaken by domestic students and 70% for fee-for-service programs undertaken by international students.

For government-funded VET programs commencing in 20161, the national projected program completion rate is:

• 49% for all government-funded VET programs
• 60% for programs undertaken by students in full-time study aged 25 years and under with no prior post-school program completion.