Regional, rural and remote (RRR) Australia faces persistent challenges in accessing vocational education and training (VET). While qualification delivery and uptake are influenced by a range of factors, VET policy continues to be heavily informed by enrolment data. This reliance can obscure genuine industry demand in RRR communities and limit visibility of the skills required to support national priorities such as food security, biosecurity, safety and sovereign capability.
This project will examine whether there are better ways to inform decision-making using alternative sources of evidence. In particular, advances in technology are enabling the analysis of large and diverse data sets to provide a more comprehensive understanding of workforce needs. Embedding such approaches more consistently has the potential to support better-informed policy decisions and improve access to a skilled workforce in regional, rural and remote areas.
If the project demonstrates that using new technology is feasible, it will provide the foundation for seeking changes to the way decisions are made, to the benefit of RRR stakeholders. Further cross‑JSC activity would be required to progress any future development, involving broader collaboration and consultation across the skills system.
For queries about the project, please email Tom Vassallo [email protected]
Scope and approach
This project is an initial feasibility investigation focused on strengthening evidence‑based VET decision‑making, particularly for regional, rural and remote Australia. A research team from Griffith University has been selected to undertake independent research to assess data availability and suitability, and scope the feasibility of applying evidence-based, AI-enhanced, multi-dimensional decision-making approaches. A shortlist of existing data sources has been identified for investigation, to be refined as part of the research process.
At the end of the project, a report will be developed outlining data availability and gaps, an assessment of feasibility, and options and requirements for any future decision‑making model.
Updates on the research will be published on this webpage as they become available.
Background
The 2025 Exploring Training Demand and Supply Challenges Project examined 29 low-enrolment qualifications across 11 industries to better understand the variables impacting VET training supply and demand, and identify strategies for addressing unmet training need. The project explored a wide range of factors that influence whether training is delivered, including policy settings, funding arrangements, regulatory requirements, labour supply, business decisions and training viability, with challenges intensified in regional, rural and remote Australia. It also identified a range of existing data sources that could be used to develop a more complete evidence base for VET decision‑making. This project builds on that research, forming part of Skills Insight’s broader program of work to improve access to training and skills where they are needed.
Project team
Geoff Barbaro
Executive Manager Industry Skills Policy (project lead)
Skills Insight
[email protected]
Tom Vassallo
Project Manager
Skills Insight
[email protected]
Griffith Institute for Educational Research