All publications

Using NCVER and Australian Bureau of Statistics data as well as findings from four case studies, thi… Show more

Using NCVER and Australian Bureau of Statistics data as well as findings from four case studies, this report looks at how mid-level qualifications assist entry to and progression in the workforce. Show less

This report provides data to monitor key performance and program measures for VET among school-aged… Show more

This report provides data to monitor key performance and program measures for VET among school-aged youth in Australia. Show less

This literature review compares vocational education and training (VET) and higher education provide… Show more

This literature review compares vocational education and training (VET) and higher education providers delivering diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor degrees, as well as noting the changing nature of VET and higher education. Show less

This report identifies two preconditions for vocational streams as well as describes scenarios of ho… Show more

This report identifies two preconditions for vocational streams as well as describes scenarios of how these preconditions play out in industry. Show less

This paper considers whether single-sex schooling affects gendered patterns in the uptake of science… Show more

This paper considers whether single-sex schooling affects gendered patterns in the uptake of science courses in year 11 and the development of science-related career paths. Show less

Effective pathways from vocational education and training (VET) to higher education help to alleviat… Show more

Effective pathways from vocational education and training (VET) to higher education help to alleviate skill shortages as well as increase access to higher qualifications and lifetime earnings for people holding VET awards. Show less

How VET in Schools can be strengthened to provide stronger links to post-school pathways is explored… Show more

How VET in Schools can be strengthened to provide stronger links to post-school pathways is explored in this report. Show less

This research report examines the underutilisation of the skills of migrants in regional areas, part… Show more

This research report examines the underutilisation of the skills of migrants in regional areas, particularly women who are often the spouse of a primary applicant but are also skilled in their own right. Show less

This document details the approach for the 2013 Survey of Employer Use and Views of the VET System,… Show more

This document details the approach for the 2013 Survey of Employer Use and Views of the VET System, which has been in its current form since 2005. Show less

The purpose of this research is to examine whether, for those who have left full-time education, a l… Show more

The purpose of this research is to examine whether, for those who have left full-time education, a low-skill job provides them with a good start to their working lives. It was found that starting out in a low-skill job gives lower payoffs than starting out in a high-skill job. Five years after leaving  full-time education, the wage penalty (after conditioning on education and other characteristics) still exists but this scarring effect diminishes over time. However, any job is better than having no job. Show less

The authors of this paper explore whether low socioeconomic status (SES) students benefit to a great… Show more

The authors of this paper explore whether low socioeconomic status (SES) students benefit to a greater or lesser extent from attending high-quality schools when compared with their more advantaged peers. Show less

This study goes beyond looking at how the financial return to training varies with qualification lev… Show more

This study goes beyond looking at how the financial return to training varies with qualification level and investigates the relationship between literacy skills and the incomes of workers in the Australian labour market and whether this varies with level of education.  Show less

Combining the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) with other data sources would enhance… Show more

Combining the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) with other data sources would enhance the breadth of information without adding respondent burden. This discussion paper explores two issues: the potential for linking data from existing administrative collections, such as Medicare, to LSAY; and the feasibility of combining data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and LSAY via statistical matching. Show less

Types of job mobility (changing industry sector, changing occupation, and changing sector and occupa… Show more

Types of job mobility (changing industry sector, changing occupation, and changing sector and occupation) and the outcomes ensuing for those who have just completed a VET course in Australia over the years 2001–11 are examined in this report using NCVER Student Outcomes Survey data. To determine whether job quality improves with mobility, the research compares several measures before and after completing a VET course, focusing on the association between mobility and better pay, better occupational status, a higher chance of full-time employment, and a lower chance of casual employment. The results show that occupational mobility that also preserves sector-specific knowledge is associated with the best labour market outcomes. Show less

The authors investigate the 'enablers' that support building and construction students moving from d… Show more

The authors investigate the 'enablers' that support building and construction students moving from diplomas into construction management and related bachelor degrees. The research considers the broader rationale for strengthening educational pathways, particularly from the perspectives of the students who have already made the transition from vocational education and training (VET) to higher education. Consistent with other research, this study confirms that committed VET teachers and staff, opportunities for students to build confidence, and collaboration between VET and higher education providers enables the navigation of a successful pathway. Show less

Results from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statist… Show more

Results from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have been used to suggest there is a crisis in the literacy and numeracy skills of Australian adults. This study challenges this current view by looking at the issue from a worker's perspective. Show less

Literacy and numeracy skills are critical in the workplace and yet little is known in Australia abou… Show more

Literacy and numeracy skills are critical in the workplace and yet little is known in Australia about the extent of numeracy training required within a workplace. This study begins to redress this by investigating the qualifications, experience, and numeracy skills of language, literacy and numeracy specialists and vocational specialists—referred to collectively in this study as vocational education and training (VET) practitioners—working in the process manufacturing industry. A degree of mismatch is found between the skill required to address numeracy needs in the process manufacturing industries and the current capacity of VET practitioners in terms of their understanding of numeracy requirements, their qualifications, skills and experience. Show less

This discussion paper was part of an event jointly funded by the Australian Council for Educational… Show more

This discussion paper was part of an event jointly funded by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA) and NCVER entitled the National Summit on Data for Quality Improvement in VET held at the Park Royal Hotel, Melbourne Airport, on 9 April 2013. This paper sets out NCVER’s thinking on registered training organisation performance indicators including a discussion of the properties indicators should have and statistical and presentation issues. Show less

This report explores some of the key issues associated with the assessment in VET and reflects on so… Show more

This report explores some of the key issues associated with the assessment in VET and reflects on some possible solutions. Show less

In this eclectic collection of papers, 13 essayists and four high-profile discussants consider the c… Show more

In this eclectic collection of papers, 13 essayists and four high-profile discussants consider the complexity of the tertiary education system and its underlying structures.  Show less