This research aims to shed light on the role of private providers in delivering training to a particular cohort of learners - young people who have left school early. The authors surveyed 130 private ‘for profit’ registered training organisations (RTOs) to find out their perspectives on teaching and learning practices, engaging with early school leavers...

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) and school education bear on the wellbeing and quality of life of young Australians as well as on the capabilities and productivity of Australia’s future labour force. Recognising this, Australian governments have committed to national education goals that emphasise the importance of excellence and equity in Australia’s education system...

This study reviews the media discussion of tertiary education during and after the 2016 federal election. It identifies a series of key questions which went largely unanswered by politicians. Supported by comments from fellow Research Associates of the TJ Ryan Foundation, Scott argues that there is a role for a wide-ranging public inquiry as a...

The aim of this paper is to summarise and provide analyses of the considerable body of research that investigates the costs and benefits of vocational education and training (VET). It does so from three different perspectives; the government, business and the individual. This paper considers a broad array of costs and benefits accruing to each...

Australia’s schools are not keeping up with the best in the world. There is a real problem, and governments must act. But the newly elected Coalition government must tread a fine line: good Commonwealth policy will not save Australia’s schools, but poor policy will damage them further. A big challenge for any Commonwealth education minister...