VET enrolments rise in priority areas, with early childhood among the fastest-growing

South Australia has recorded its highest number of government-funded Vocational Education and Training (VET)enrolments in a decade, with strong growth in courses aligned to priority areas including early childhood education, community services, health, and construction.

New data released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) published in a South Australia Government media release, shows that in 2024, almost two-thirds of enrolments (63.4 per cent, or 49,600 students) were in programs aligned to state priority areas up from 59.1 per cent in 2022 and 61.8 per cent in 2023.

Among the fastest-growing areas were community services and education qualifications, which include early childhood pathways. Enrolments in these courses increased by 6.1 per cent to 17,615 in 2024, reinforcing the impact of government investment in areas of critical workforce need.

With persistent shortages across the ECEC sector, the growth in training numbers is significant for providers and policymakers alike. However, questions remain around whether training pipeline growth will translate into long-term workforce stability, given sector-wide challenges around retention, pay and career progression.

South Australia’s Fee-Free TAFE initiative, introduced in 2023, has played a central role in attracting students to priority courses. The state government has also emphasised its focus on aligning training pathways with secure employment opportunities in growth sectors, including early childhood education.

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the results demonstrated the success of targeted investment:

“With almost two thirds of students in 2024 choosing courses that are a priority for the state, our focus on driving enrolments in areas including building and construction, defence, early childhood education and renewable energy is paying off.

South Australia’s economy is growing, and we want South Australians to experience the benefits through secure, well-paid jobs, that’s why we’re training students in the areas that matter most.”

Overall, there were 78,175 program enrolments in government-funded VET courses in South Australia in 2024, up nearly 1 per cent on 2023. Student numbers increased by 2.4 per cent, subject enrolments rose by 3.7 per cent, and TAFE SA enrolments grew by 5.1 per cent — the second-highest growth among all state TAFEs.

The data also showed that:

• Students aged 24 years and under increased by 4.1 per cent to 30,885.
• Aboriginal student enrolments rose by 2.4 per cent to 3,605.
• Students from regional areas increased by 1.5 per cent to 16,605.

While enrolments in lower-priority courses such as business and retail declined sharply, qualifications in health, community services, education, and construction recorded notable increases.

For the early learning sector, the data highlights positive momentum in attracting students to community services and early education pathways. Yet, workforce supply remains under strain.

The challenge, as providers and policymakers acknowledge, is ensuring that increased enrolments lead to sustainable workforce outcomes, not only through training, but also by addressing retention, professional recognition and conditions for educators and teachers.

With ECEC identified as a critical priority area, the coming years will show how South Australia’s training pipeline contributes to workforce supply alongside the expansion of three-year-old preschool and ongoing reforms to the National Quality Framework.