Australia needs 37% of workers trained in trades by 2066, but vocational
Australia needs vocational skills to rise from 28% to 37% of workers by 2066. But funding is falling.
Australia's Intergenerational Report shows the country will need more electricians, nurses, carers, and AI-skilled workers over the next 40 years. Vocational qualifications are expected to grow from 28% to 37% of the working-age population by 2066.
Vocational starts fell from 2 million in 2016 to 1.6 million by 2018. There has been a declining trend in the last two years of data.
Federal vocational education funding will decline 15% by 2066. Higher education funding will rise 43%.
The mismatch is stark. Closing the skills gap would need a 40% increase in vocational students.
But funding is going the opposite way. The sector gets $12.6 billion from the National Skills Agreement.
That may not be enough.
- 28%
- Current vocational workforce share
- 37%
- Target vocational workforce by 2066
- 2 million to 1.6 million
- Enrollment decline 2016 to 2018
- Down 15%
- Vocational funding change by 2066
Why it mattersIf vocational funding continues to shrink while demand grows, Australia will face acute shortages in critical trades. These shortages will drive up costs and slow the energy transition.
AustraliaAustralians may experience longer waits for aged care and tradespeople, higher costs for repairs and construction, and slower progress on renewable energy projects.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
