ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the complexities Australia faces in sustaining its international influence and position as a competitive nation in numerous areas, such as exports and trade, as well as its stable political system and the overall wellbeing of its citizens. It provides an outline of the Australian labour market and demographics, government education policies and the structure of the education system. The chapter discusses some of the current problems and challenges evident in the contemporary Australian vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE) sectors. The Australian education system is referred to as the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Under the AQF, students who successfully prove that they are competent within a group of competencies can be awarded a VET qualification such as Certificate I; Certificate II; Certificate III; Certificate IV; Diploma and Advanced Diploma. VET is an integral feature of Australian education system and is specifically designed to deliver workplace explicit skills and knowledge-based competencies that are predominantly practical.
