In a significant development for workforce education, South Australia has recorded its highest number of enrolments in government-funded Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs in a decade. According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), nearly two-thirds of all VET enrolments in 2024, amounting to 49,600 students, are concentrated in key priority sectors including health and care, building and infrastructure, defence and manufacturing, clean energy, education, and technology and artificial intelligence.
The data reveals that 63.4% of total enrolments were aligned with these priority areas, a marked increase from 59.1% in 2022 and 61.8% in 2023. Overall, the total number of government-funded VET program enrolments reached 78,175 in 2024, representing an increase of nearly 1% compared to the previous year. This rise indicates a robust interest in vocational pathways that support South Australia’s growing economy.
Strong Growth in TAFE SA Enrolments
TAFE SA has also experienced a resurgence, with enrolments growing by 5.1%, or 1,890 students, compared to 2023. This growth positions TAFE SA as the second largest provider among TAFEs across various states and territories, following only Western Australia. In total, student numbers in government-funded VET programs increased by 7.7% compared to 2019, showcasing a positive trend in vocational education in the region.
The report highlights a shift in focus due to targeted government investments. For instance, the enrolment in Certificate III in Retail has plummeted by 60.1% since 2022, after experiencing a substantial increase of 101% between 2019 and 2022. Similarly, enrolments for Certificate III in Business dropped by 56.6% over the same period, reflecting a strategic pivot towards more pressing industry needs.
In contrast, enrolments in community services qualifications saw a 6.1% increase to 17,615 in 2024, while electrotechnology qualifications grew by 4.7% to 6,075. Other notable increases include construction, plumbing, and services integrated framework, which rose by 7.6% to 7,045 enrolments, and metal and engineering qualifications, which increased by 13.2% to 2,585 enrolments.
Demographic Trends and Government Support
The report also outlines demographic shifts, noting a 10.4% increase in secondary school students enrolling in VET programs, growing from 8,055 in 2023 to 8,895. Students aged 24 years and under rose by 4.1% to 30,885, while the number of students reporting a disability increased by 3.2% to 6,200. Additionally, the number of Aboriginal students enrolled rose by 2.4% to 3,605, and enrolments from regional areas increased by 1.5% to 16,605.
In total, there were 19,775 qualification completions in 2024, with 13,005 of those in courses aligned to South Australian government priority areas. This represents a 9.2% increase from 2023 and a 10.8% increase from 2022.
Blair Boyer, the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, emphasized the importance of these enrolments for the state’s economy. “With almost two-thirds of students in 2024 choosing courses that are a priority for the state, the focus on driving enrolments in areas including building and construction, defence, early childhood education, and renewable energy is paying off,” he stated.
He further noted that the continued growth of TAFE SA reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that South Australians can benefit from secure and well-paid jobs. The recent Fee-Free TAFE initiative, which began in early 2023, has played a significant role in increasing enrolments and providing accessible training opportunities for those who need them most.
As South Australia strives to meet its workforce demands, the upward trend in vocational education enrolments signals a positive step towards aligning education with economic needs.
