South Australia has recorded the most growth of government-funded vocational education and training (VET) students in the nation.
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Government Funded Students and Courses January–September 2025 report shows that South Australia recorded nation-high increases compared to the same period a year earlier:
- Student numbers: up by 4 per cent – the largest percentage increase in the nation.
- Subject enrolments: up by 7.6 per cent – the largest percentage increase in the nation.
- Hours of training delivered to students: up by 8.3 per cent – the largest percentage increase in the nation.
- Program enrolments: up by 0.6 per cent – the largest and only increase in the nation.
Overall, there were 67,915 government-funded VET students, 2,615 more than in 2024, a rise of 4 per cent. This was 10.6 percentage points above a national decline of 6.6 per cent, and an increase of 7,000 or 11.5 per cent from 2022.
In the first nine months of 2025, there were 35,085 government-funded VET students attending TAFE, an increase of 1,035 students or 3 per cent from 2024, and an increase of 5,950 or 20.4 per cent from 2022 when we inherited TAFE cuts and closures from the former Liberal Government.
There were also more VET students attending other training providers, up 5.5 per cent to 34,120 – 13.1 percentage points above the national decline of 7.6 per cent, and the highest and only increase in the nation.
The number of government-funded enrolments in courses aligned to South Australian Government priority areas, including education, care, construction, defence and manufacturing and clean energy, have increased by 4.8 per cent compared to 2024.
For example, enrolments in electrotechnology – crucial for building more homes – has grown by 38.8 per cent, or 1,785 extra enrolments compared with 2024.
Importantly, compared to 2024, there were increases in the number of students:
- School students: up by 11.3 per cent, from 8,625 in 2024 to 9,600 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
- An apprentice or trainee: up by 5.7 per cent, from 18,260 in 2024 to 19,295 – the second highest percentage increase in the nation.
- Those unemployed at enrolment: up by 9.2 per cent, from 10,630 in 2024 to 11,605 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
- Reporting a disability: up by 6.9 per cent, from 5,660 in 2024 to 6,050.
- Young people aged 24 years and under: up by 6.5 per cent, from 28,590 in 2024 to 30,440 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
- Female students: up by 3.4 per cent, from 31,090 in 2024 to 32,160 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
- From regional and remote locations: up by 2.4 per cent, from 17,375 in 2024 to 17,795 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
- Identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander: up by 12.8 per cent, from 3,125 in 2024 to 3,525 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
Quotes
Attributable to Blair Boyer
South Australia is leading the nation when it comes to training more skilled workers for secure, well-paid jobs in areas such as AUKUS, building more homes and boosting renewable energy.
By training more South Australians we are making sure everybody shares in the benefits of our government’s economic transformation.
You don’t need to go to university for a great career – and it’s great to see more South Australians flocking to vocational training instead.
TAFE SA was on its knees when we came to government. We’ve now re-built TAFE to ensure South Australians have access to a high quality, public training provider – and more South Australians are studying there as a result.
Attributable to Joe Szakacs
The South Australian economy needs an additional 80,000 skilled workers over the next five years.
That’s why the Malinauskas Labor Government is investing in TAFE and training – and we’re seeing the benefits of that through more South Australians being skilled up for the job they want.
Importantly, enrolments are particularly strong in priority areas including construction, health and education.
We’ve had a deliberate strategy to align our training system with the areas in which we need more skilled workers. This data shows the strategy is working.
