Australia's system of vocational education and training (VET) is based on the principle of partnerships between key stakeholders: governments (Commonwealth, state and territory), training providers, employers and employees. Industry representation and governance in the VET sector in Australia has undergone several transformations in the past, and…

This paper engages with challenges of localism, collaboration and reflexivity in thinking about the conceptualisation and development of partnership learning communities between higher education and criminal justice institutions. Grounded in experiences of partnership working in the UK and Australia, our arguments are twofold: First, drawing on…

A first glance at almost any policy document generated by a bilateral or multilateral donor agency reveals a familiar rhetoric of participation, partnership, community, good governance, growth and strong democracy as key ingredients for a successful development program. While some critics of this rhetoric argue that this is merely a recasting of…

There is currently movement internationally towards the integration of services for young children and their families, incorporating childcare, education, health and family support. Shifting service provision towards partnership between services, and between these services and families, has been the subject of policy formation at various levels.…

This article examines factors affecting the provision of mainstream family support services to parents with intellectual disability in Australia. Qualitative procedures resulted in identification of common issues and a conceptual matrix. The three key factors were: client characteristics, resources available, and the involvement of other agencies.…

Review of 155 confirmed cases of child sexual abuse in New South Wales (Australia) showed that only 56 percent received any counseling despite policy guidelines encouraging counseling. The study identified problems at all levels within the interagency environment that resulted in children not receiving needed services. Needed changes in the…

From mid 1998 to mid 1999, The Australian Network for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health (Auseinet) provided funding and intensive support for eight agencies that provide services to young people to reorient an aspect of their service to an early intervention approach. The agencies developed a range of tailored,…

Special education services in Australia are provided by state departments of education as well as voluntary organizations. These services are provided in toy libraries and activity therapy centers as well as school settings. Thus, a variety of separate evaluations have been conducted. Further cooperative and systematic assessments are planned.…

An Australian national task force examined a number of areas related to achieving educational equality for Australia's Indigenous peoples. This paper looks at health issues, particularly during ages 0-8, that may affect the educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Chapter 1 discusses the importance of the early years…

Young people growing up in rural and isolated areas of Australia face particular challenges because structural change to the rural economy has dramatically affected their communities. Structural challenges include limited transportation, health and community services that are difficult to access and not confidential, scarcity of affordable…

This study examined postschool vocational options for people with disabilities in New South Wales (Australia), by means of a survey and interviews with representatives of government agencies, tertiary education facilities, and unions and employer organizations. Results indicated a lack of vocational facilities for young people with severe…

This paper explores methods of collaboration among countries in order to promote successful development, exchange, and dissemination of international education materials. The discussion emphasizes activities of the Pacific Circle Consortium, which was founded in 1977 and includes Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. Its…