The numerous conclusions and recommendations presented stem from a 1987-1988 study that addressed four questions about postsecondary education in nonmetropolitan Australia: (1) To what extent does the system monitor and respond to demographic and labor market changes?; (2) What progress has been made toward achieving cooperation and coordination…

In 1998, recreation, leisure, and personal enrichment education and training programs continued to play an important role in the total education and training undertaken in Australia. Depending on the state or territory, programs were delivered by community providers, technical and further education (TAFE) and other government providers, private…

A study attempted to identify the adult learning provisions, demographic characteristics, and previous learning experiences that are predictive of positive affective development by external (distance education) students. The study population consisted of 50 adult students who were currently enrolled in 10 tertiary institutions as external students…

A 135-item survey was administered to 279 students enrolled in tertiary distance education programs in Queensland, Australia. The study was intended to identify (1) factors that are highly predictive of positive and independent learning growth and (2) strategies that students and educators can adopt to help students achieve a high level of…

One of a series of profiles prepared by the Cooperative Educational Abstracting Service, this brief outline provides basic background information on educational principles, system of administration, structure and organization, curricula, and teacher training in Australia and Australian Territories (Papua, New Guinea and Norfolk Island). Statistics…

A study examined the reasons for the relatively low level of participation in adult, community, and further education (ACFE) in Victoria, Australia. Of the 1,229 randomly selected individuals surveyed via telephone, 942 (77%) had never participated in ACFE, 184 (15%) had not participated since 1994, and only 103 (8%) were currently enrolled in an…

A study examined ways in which Technical and Further Education (TAFE) services might be delivered to persons living in outlying areas of Australia. The study concentrated on the tristate area served by the Broken Hill, Riverland, and Sunraysia colleges. The following means of providing TAFE services were studied: self-study centers, residential…

A study to compare vocational education and training (VET) systems examined nine countries across these three large geographical regions: Europe, East Asia, and the Americas. It explored variables that most define and influence characteristics, behavior, and apparent success of VET systems and the impact of change. The nine systems were chosen on…

This publication is intended to take raw data on the labor market and educational and demographic trends in Australia and convert them to useful information for those who work in the areas of education and employment. It contains over 130 tables of data on education and labor market trends throughout Australia; a case study of participation in…

A study examined geographical distribution of Australian apprenticeship commencements (ACs) in the context of various labor force and population statistics by industry, location of jobs by industry, and youth population. Apprenticeship and traineeship statistics between 1995-98 were examined to demonstrate differences in development of the system…

In 1993-94, a random sample of 547 individuals authorized to perform marriages in Australia (marriage celebrants) and 560 couples from across Australia who had married in 1993 were surveyed regarding their views of premarriage education (PME) and the factors enhancing/inhibiting participation in PME programs (PMEPs). Of the marriage celebrants,…

Concerns over the high incidence of divorce and domestic violence have prompted many Australian churches and some nonchurch agencies to offer premarriage education programs (PMEPs) to couples planning to marry. Unlike past PMEPs, which were often didactic, Australia's present-day PMEPs tend to be learner-centered programs that encourage…

These proceedings consist of 46 papers on the influence of vocational education and training (VET) research on policy and practice. These papers are grouped into these categories: impact of research; equity in participation; partnerships and stakeholders; practice and practitioners; research and policy; learning, work, and organizations; and VET,…

Recent international discussions provide information on various countries' responses to lifelong learning, including the following: (1) existing unmet needs and emerging needs for education and training; (2) funds required compared with what was provided; and (3) methods for acquiring additional funds, among them efficiency measures leading to…