New data released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows government expenditure on vocational education and training (VET) increased in 2023.
The Government funding of VET 2023 report shows that Australian, state and territory governments spent $10.9 billion on VET in 2023, an increase of $12.9 million (0.1%) from 2022.
The largest increase in expenditure was on training delivery, which rose by $652.6 million (11.9%) to a total of $6.1 billion. This was partially offset by a reduction in employer incentives, which decreased by $745.8 million (18.6%) to a total of $3.3 billion.
Over the five years from 2019 to 2023, total government expenditure on VET increased by $4.4 billion, largely due to the introduction of employer assistance measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. While expenditure on employer assistance declined between 2022 and 2023, it remains above pre-pandemic levels of $598.2 million spent in 2019.
Figure 1 Government expenditure on VET, VET delivery and employer assistance ($ millions) 2019-23 
Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Government funding of VET 2023.
Background:
Government funding of VET 2023 provides an insight into the flow of funding into the public VET sector, what is funded, and how it is distributed. Information is derived from the National VET Funding Collection, which was introduced in 2017 to replace the National VET Finance Collection.
Data are sourced from financial and training records held by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and state and territory departments responsible for VET.
Download the report: Government funding of VET 2023
Enquiries: Chantal Deutrom P: +61 8 8230 8418 E: chantaldeutrom@ncver.edu.au
About NCVER: we are the main provider of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector. Our services help promote better understanding of VET and assist policy makers, practitioners, industry, training providers, and students to make informed decisions.
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.