This country note provides an overview of the governance of the adult skills system in Australia. It outlines stakeholders and responsibilities at national, local and regional levels. 

Responsibility for adult education, including vocational education and training (VET), is primarily the domain of the state and territory governments, although the Australian Government plays a role in funding, policy leadership and setting national standards.

Where policies specific to adult retraining/reskilling are developed, they are the joint responsibility of the federal, state and territory governments, while private and public Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) or universities deliver services at the local level.

The note is part of an extensive review of all 38 OECD countries. The main findings across all countries are summarised in the OECD policy paper: The role of subnational governments in adult skills systems.