This document traces Australian training and literacy policy developments from 1974 to 1998. The document begins with a brief discussion of the global political, educational, social, and economic trends that have affected Australia's training and literacy policies. Discussed next are major events of the four policy "epochs" in Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector: the "poor cousin" epoch (1900-1974), during which technical and further education (TAFE) emerged as a "poor cousin" to Australia's school and higher education sector; the Kangan era (1974-1988), which was marked by emphasis on participation and equity; the epoch of the Open Training Market and seamless web (1988-1992); and the epoch of User Choice (1992-1998). The decade of reform in English language and literacy provision that began in the mid-1980s and included development of the Australian Language and Literacy Policy in 1991 is chronicled. Special attention is paid to the National Framework of Adult English Language, Literacy and Numeracy Competence and the National Reporting System (NRS). The effects of policy reforms in vocational and adult education on the dimensions of teachers work are considered. Concluding the document is a timeline of significant policy sources in vocational education and their relationship with literacy policy. (Contains 18 references.) (MN)