South Australia recorded the highest ever number of school students undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in 2024, as more students see VET as a viable and rewarding career pathway, providing secure, well-paid jobs.
VET in Schools activity figures covering the 2024 calendar year have been released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
In total, there were 13,530 SACE students undertaking VET in 2024, the highest number on record, and up 14.1% compared with the national increase of 5.8% from 2023, an increase of 1,675 students, and a 26% increase from 2022, a rise of 2,790 students.
Of the 13,530 students undertaking VET in 2024, there were increases in the number:
• reporting a disability: up by 61.1%, from 720 in 2023 to 1,160 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
• identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander: up by 30.3%, from 495 in 2023 to 645.
• from regional and remote locations: up by 25.5%, from 3,060 in 2023 to 3,840 – the highest percentage increase in the nation.
• attending TAFE: up by 15.5%, from 2,965 in 2023 to 3,425.
• studying courses at Certificate III level and above: up by 12.8%, from 6,935 in 2023 to 7,825.
• attending a government school: up by 11.8%, from 7,105 in 2023 to 7,940.
• of female students: up by 10.6%, from 5,380 in 2023 to 5,950
In addition, there were:
• 15,075 program enrolments, up 17.1%, or 2,205 more enrolments, 9.9% above the national increase of 7.2%.
• 124,330 SACE subject enrolments, an increase of 14.1% or 15,375 more enrolments – 9.7% above the national increase.
These results coincide with Findon Technical College opening for years 10-12 to complete a VET pathway into a guaranteed career. Port Augusta has now opened, with Mount Gambier, The Heights and Tonsley Technical Colleges opening in 2026.
SA Government schools have the highest proportion of VET in Schools students (58.7 per cent), and there were 835 more students at a SA Government school in 2024 compared to 2023, an 11.8 per cent increase.
The South Australian Government’s Industry Pathways, part of the $19 million Career Education and Pathways Strategy is helping secondary students to get a head start in their career while still at school, with better information, connections to industry and employers and tools and resources to start planning a career.
Nearly 90 per cent of all SACE student program enrolments in 2024 were aligned to the government’s priority industry sectors, including civil construction, resources and infrastructure, building and construction, electrotechnology, engineering, health, IT, and transport and manufacturing.
