A Looming Crisis: Australia’s Vocational Education Sector Faces Teacher Shortages That Could Cripple the Economy

A new study published by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) today reveals alarming insights into the state of the nation’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) workforce—a workforce that holds the key to addressing some of Australia's most critical job shortages. The findings are dire: Australia simply does not have enough qualified VET teachers to meet current or future demand. Unless urgent action is taken, the consequences could be catastrophic, not only for the VET sector itself but for the wider Australian economy.

This study, which has informed the Government’s VET Blueprint announced by Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles MP, underscores an undeniable truth—our skills crisis is not just about the students but the educators. Australia is staring down the barrel of a national shortage of skilled VET teachers, and if we fail to address this, the consequences will ripple through critical industries, including trades, care sectors, and education—fields already under severe pressure due to skills shortages.

VET Teachers: The Backbone of Australia's Future Workforce

The findings from the study provide a stark reminder that many of Australia's current job shortages, especially in crucial fields such as electricians, carpenters, and early childhood education, rely on a fully functioning and well-staffed VET system. The VET workforce is responsible for training the next generation of workers—those who will keep our homes running, care for our children and elderly, and ensure the smooth operation of key industries. But here’s the catch: there aren’t enough VET teachers to train them.

Over the past two years, VET teachers have been in shortage nationally across every state and territory, particularly in fields where the very occupations they train for are also experiencing significant shortages. The irony is palpable—how can we expect to fix Australia’s skills crisis when the very people needed to deliver these skills are missing in action?

The Urgent Need for a Sustainable VET Workforce

According to the JSA study, 3,800 more VET teachers are required over the next five years to meet demand, and this figure will only increase as the economy continues to grow. Projections show a 21% increase in employment growth in the VET sector by 2033, which means the demand for VET teachers will remain vital for the foreseeable future.

However, the sector’s workforce issues run deeper than just a lack of numbers. The report highlights that the VET teaching workforce is older on average than the general workforce, with almost 50% of teachers aged over 50. As these teachers approach retirement, the shortage will only worsen unless urgent measures are taken to attract younger talent to the profession.

Moreover, the study reveals that the VET workforce is highly casualised, with teachers in the sector being paid significantly less than their counterparts in other areas of education. This creates a vicious cycle where talented teachers leave the VET system for more stable and better-paid positions in industry or higher education. It’s no wonder the sector is hemorrhaging talent—it’s asking VET teachers to do more for less while offering them little job security in return.

Gender Pay Gap and Diversity Issues: The VET Sector's Hidden Challenges

It’s not just about numbers and pay, though. The JSA study exposes a 16% gender pay gap in the VET sector, further compounding the systemic inequalities within the profession. Despite the VET workforce playing a critical role in shaping Australia's future, it is one of the few education sectors where a significant gender pay disparity persists.

In addition to this, the VET workforce lacks diversity—an issue that reflects poorly on a sector that is meant to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of modern Australia. If the government truly wants to create a sustainable VET workforce, it must address these glaring issues of inequality and diversity.

Why Is This Happening?

It’s no secret that VET teachers are underpaid and undervalued compared to teachers in other sectors. VET teachers often leave for better-paying roles, either in industry or higher education, leaving a void that is becoming increasingly difficult to fill. The government’s failure to adequately invest in and support the VET teaching workforce is leading to a brain drain—those with the skills to teach are choosing to take their expertise elsewhere, where they are compensated fairly for their talents.

The study highlights that many of the shortages in VET teaching align with the same fields experiencing broader skills shortages. For example, electricians, carpenters, and early childhood educators—professions that are already on the skills shortage list—are the very fields that are most in need of qualified VET teachers. It’s a vicious cycle: without enough VET teachers, we can’t train enough workers to fill these roles, and without enough workers, industries that rely on these trades will continue to struggle.

The Government’s VET Blueprint: Is It Enough?

In response to this study, the government has unveiled its VET Blueprint, which aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the VET sector by supporting and growing the quality and capability of the VET workforce. But the question remains—is this too little, too late?

Minister Giles has made bold promises, but the fact remains that the VET teaching crisis has been festering for years. The time for talking is over; what Australia needs now is urgent and comprehensive action. If we don’t see immediate changes in how VET teachers are recruited, trained, and paid, Australia will continue to suffer from skills shortages that will cripple key industries.

The government needs to:

1. Increase pay for VET teachers to bring it in line with other sectors and make the profession more attractive.
2. Offer greater job security to reduce the reliance on casual contracts, which have plagued the sector for far too long.
3. Attract younger workers to the VET profession by offering incentives such as scholarships, reduced training costs, and more opportunities for career progression.
4. Address the gender pay gap and diversity issues, ensuring that the VET workforce is inclusive and equitable for all.
5. Retain existing talent through professional development opportunities and by making VET teaching a more sustainable career choice.

What’s at Stake?

If the government does not take decisive action, the consequences will be far-reaching. The national skills shortage will deepen, affecting not only the trades and education sectors but also critical care roles in health and aged care. Industries that rely on a steady supply of skilled workers will struggle to remain competitive, and Australia’s economy will continue to lose billions in potential growth.

The solution is clear: invest in the VET workforce. Without enough qualified teachers, we cannot train the future workers Australia desperately needs. This is not just a workforce issue; it’s a national emergency that requires immediate and robust government intervention.