Survey and focus groups of students enrolled in Australian vocational education and training (VET) offshore: final report

As part of the Australian Government's National Strategy for International Education 2025, the Department of Education and Training commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to provide an overview of the demographics and experiences of students enrolled in Australian vocational education and training (VET) offshore. The research findings are based on: (1) analysis of quantitative data collected through the first ever global survey of students enrolled in Australian VET courses overseas; and (2) analysis of qualitative data collected through a series of focus groups with students located in two Chinese provinces.

Key findings are that: (a) Australian VET offshore includes a diverse mix of partnerships and delivery models; (b) programs are clustered around a core set of providers and qualifications covering both broad and specialist training; (c) the predominant student profile are Chinese young adults with an international outlook but also includes students from over 40 other countries; (d) the Chinese context is complex and dynamic; (e) most students are enrolled in international programs because their school or college recommended it to them; (f) students use and trust information but are looking for more information on outcomes and pathways; (g) students identified a set of benefits to completing an international VET course at home; (h) post-training plans tend to focus on further education, training and employment options; and (i) most students would recommend their course to their peers.

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