New estimates from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show that apprentice completion rates are higher when the data takes into account recommencements or ‘employer swapping’. Individual-based completion rates for apprentices finds that around one-quarter of trade apprentices recommence their training with a new employer during their apprenticeship, which can have an impact...

Australia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) workforce has several shortcomings which need to be addressed, according to this report by the Productivity Commission. A diverse range of public and private VET providers meets many of the expectations of students and significant segments of industry. However, some industry sectors, such as aged care, disability care and...

Based on a nationally representative sample of 25,950 Australian students, this paper investigates participation in off-campus paid work.

The report draws on the experience and expertise of a broad range of stakeholders, who generously contributed their views through more than 140 submissions and through consultations attended by nearly 500 people. The recommendations are driven by two realities. First, Australia is poised for long-term prosperity through the resources boom but will be held back...

This Investigative Panel found that social housing neighbourhoods are stigmatised because government policies have worked to congregate socially disadvantaged people in social housing neighbourhoods while under-investing in the tenure. At the same time, the media has portrayed these neighbourhoods as a haven for criminals and the welfare dependent. The authors argue that social housing organisations...