The latest data on vocational education and training (VET) qualification completion rates is now available.
VET qualification completion rates 2018 tracks cohorts of students from the year they commenced their VET qualification at certificate I or above to their completion status up to four years later.
To get reliable estimates, enough time must have passed for the majority of VET to have completed their qualification. The NCVER’s methodology allows four years after a qualification commences before observed actual completion rates are reported.
Where observed actual rates are not yet available, NCVER uses statistical techniques to estimate completion rates.
Of all VET qualifications that commenced in 2015, the first year for which actual rates are available:
- 41.4% were completed, including:
- 42.0% of training package qualifications
- 35.7% of accredited qualifications
- By level of education, completion rates were highest for certificate IV qualifications at 47.0%, followed by certificate III qualifications at 44.5%.
- By funding source, completion rates were:
- 46.6% for government-funded qualifications undertaken by domestic students
- 33.5% for fee-for-service qualifications undertaken by domestic students
- 58.3% for fee-for-service qualifications undertaken by international students.
- Completion rates can also vary greatly by field of education, for example:
- 59.5% for natural and physical sciences qualifications
- 31.9% for architecture and building qualifications.
Background
VET qualification completion rates 2018 provides observed actual completion rates for VET qualifications that commenced in 2015.
It also projects completion rates for qualifications that commenced in 2016, 2017, and 2018, which are forecast using statistical techniques.
In order to get reliable estimates, we must wait until enough time has passed for most VET students who were going to complete their qualification to have done so. This means we allow four years after a qualification commences before we report observed actual completion rates.
This is the first publication to show observed actual completion rates for qualifications reported in NCVER’s Total VET student and courses.
Only nationally recognised VET qualifications are included in the scope of this publication.
More information on statistical techniques:
- VET program completion rates: an evaluation of the current method
- Total VET program completion rates (technical paper)
Related resources:
- NCVER’s Latest VET statistics dashboard
- The Timeline of Australian VET policy initiatives 1998-2020 provides policy context for the changing VET landscape.
DOWNLOAD: VET qualification completion rates 2018
Media enquiries: Helen Wildash M: 0448 043 148 E: helenwildash@ncver.edu.au
About NCVER: we are the main provider of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector. Our services help promote better understanding of VET and assist policy-makers, practitioners, industry, training providers, and students to make informed decisions.
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.