VET News

Understanding NCVER’s Data Collections and Surveys

As the custodian of Australia’s VET data, NCVER manages several statistical collections and surveys that are used to inform policy and provide program insights.

Here’s an overview for readers who are new to VET or needing a refresher.

National Data Collections

• Government-funded students and courses: summary of data relating to students, programs, subjects and training providers in Australia’s government-funded VET system. Data released quarterly, with the next release in March 2023.
   
• Apprentices and trainees: data on persons employed under a training contract, including information on training rates and duration. Data released quarterly, with the next release in March 2023.
   
• VET in Schools: presents information on VET undertaken by school students as part of their senior secondary certificate of education. Data released annually, with the next in July 2023.
   
• Total VET students and courses: detailed picture of all nationally recognised VET delivered by Australian training providers, including students and full-year training equivalents, provider types, programs and funding sources. Data released annually, with the next in August 2023.
   
• VET qualification completion rates: presents completion rates for nationally recognised VET qualifications, namely training package qualifications and accredited qualifications. Data released annually, with the next in August 2023.
   
• Government funding of VET: how government VET funding is spent and its alignment with training activity. Data released annually, with the next in September 2023.

National surveys

• National Student Outcomes Survey: employment and further study outcomes and satisfaction of students. Data released annually, with the next in December 2023.
  • Also derived from the National Student Outcomes Survey are:
    • Apprentice and trainee outcomes: provides a snapshot of the outcomes of apprentices and trainees who completed or cancelled/withdrew from an apprenticeship or traineeship. Data released annually, with the next in March 2023.
    • International onshore VET qualification completer outcomes: provides a snapshot of the outcomes of international students who completed a VET qualification in Australia. Data released annually, with the next in April 2023.
• Survey of Employers’ use and views of the VET system: insights into how employers are using the VET system to meet the skill needs of their workforce, as well as their satisfaction. Data released biennially, with the next in November 2023.
   
• Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY): tracks young people as they move from school into further study, work, and other destinations, helping researchers and policymakers make educated decisions about youth policies. Data released annually, with the next in the second half of 2023.

See the latest news release from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research here. 

Date posted Feb 15, 2023