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Data definitions and limitations:
Further study is defined as enrolment in a higher AQF level course than the course completed in 2019-20. Further study enrolments in 2019-20 and 2020-21 are captured. Data is provided for both higher-level VET enrolments and higher education enrolments.
Further study only captures enrolment in, and not completion of, the additional study. The metrics capture enrolments in nationally recognised, AQF level qualifications only.
Enrolment in a higher education or VET qualification are not mutually exclusive of each other. Thus, some graduates who enrol in higher education may also be enrolled in VET at the same time.
Pathways to higher-level study
For some people, completion of a VET qualification serves as an intermediary step from which they continue their learning journey, either to pursue further VET or enrol in higher education. Nationally, the percentage of graduates that commenced higher-level VET study was 16%, while the progression to higher education was 8%.
Further study by age group
Figure 3.1 shows further study rates by age group. The youngest cohort (under 20 years) had the highest rates of further study in higher education (with 17% enrolling) and higher-level VET study (with 31% enrolling) after completion. Rates of further study decline as the age of the cohort increases, down to 10% for higher-level VET study and 3% for higher education in the cohort aged 45 and older.
Source: Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA), 2002 – 2022, VET National Data Asset, ABS DataLab. Findings based on use of PLIDA data.
Further study by AQF Level
Figure 3.2 shows that higher AQF levels are generally associated with increased rates of further study in higher education and decreased rates of higher-level VET study. The percentage of VET graduates progressing to higher education study peaks at the Advanced Diploma level (22%). Certificate I graduates have the highest rates of progression to higher-level VET study (40%).
Source: Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA), 2002 – 2022, VET National Data Asset, ABS DataLab. Findings based on use of PLIDA data.
Further study for priority cohorts
Figure 3.3 presents the rates of further study in key cohorts. This shows that females were more likely than males to progress to both higher-level VET study and higher education (18% and 10% respectively, compared to 15% and 6% for males).
Source: Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA), 2002 – 2022, VET National Data Asset, ABS DataLab. Findings based on use of PLIDA data.
First Nations graduates were more likely than non-Indigenous graduates to enrol in further VET study at a higher-level (20% compared to 16%). However, non-Indigenous graduates were more likely to enrol in higher education than First Nations (8% compared to 5%).
A similar pattern was observed for graduates with disability, where 21% enrolled in further VET study at a higher level, compared to 16% of graduates without disability. The rates of enrolment in higher education were slightly higher for students without disability (8% compared to 7% for students with disability).
Further study by location
Figure 3.4 shows that 17% of graduates in major cities progressed to higher-level VET study, which is a little higher than regional and remote graduates (15% and 14% respectively). Graduates in major cities were also more likely to enrol in higher education (9% compared to 6% for regional and 5% for remote graduates).
Source: Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA), 2002 – 2022, VET National Data Asset, ABS DataLab. Findings based on use of PLIDA data.
Further study by select student characteristics
Figure 3.5 shows that graduates who were not employed prior to commencing their VET qualification had the highest rates of further VET study following completion (23%). This is likely a reflection of the low rates of prior employment in the lower AQF levels, which are often used as pathways into higher-level VET. Apprentices and trainees had some of the lowest rates of further study (14% for higher-level VET and 6% for higher education), which may be linked to the high levels of employment experienced by this group (95%, refer to figure 2.5 in the employment outcomes section).
Graduates who had completed year 12, or a Certificate III or higher qualification prior to enrolment were more likely to enrol in higher education after completion than students who didn’t have these qualifications (9% compared to 5%) and were less likely to enrol in further VET (16% compared to 18%). The lower rates of further VET study in this group are likely linked to these graduates completing higher-level AQF courses than the group without prior year 12/Certificate III.
Source: Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA), 2002 – 2022, VET National Data Asset, ABS DataLab. Findings based on use of PLIDA data.
*Apprentice/trainee status is allocated to students who for their first subject, were enrolled as an apprentice or trainee. Otherwise, the student is categorised as a ‘Not apprentice/trainee.’
