Review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling - Final report

Sep 20, 2026

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A formal final report reviewing vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling for the State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training). It evaluates the purposes of vocational and applied learning, historical and current context, and how program delivery aligns with those purposes. It proposes a new pathway, examines VCAL practices and perceptions, and discusses strengthening provision, a single senior secondary certificate, and Foundation VCAL, including implications for transitions, regulation, and funding.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages292

Reading Time12 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Message from the Reviewer

Executive summary

1. Introduction

1.1 About the Review

1.2 Review context

2. The purposes of vocational and applied learning in senior secondary education

2.1 History of senior secondary education

2.2 Purposes of senior secondary education

2.3 Vocational and applied learning serves the purposes of senior secondary education

2.4 Specific purposes of vocational and applied learning support the fundamental purpose

2.5 The purposes are not sufficiently translated in program delivery

2.6 A dual qualification framework exaggerates differences and promotes relative status

2.7 Sharpening program focus to support successful transitions

3. A new vocational and applied learning pathway

3.1 Current VCAL practices

3.2 Public and stakeholder perceptions of VCAL

3.3 Design and delivery of VCAL

3.4 Strengthening vocational and applied learning in senior secondary

4. A single senior secondary certificate

4.1 Reforming the senior secondary certificate

4.2 Single certificate considerations

5. Foundation VCAL

5.1 Primary uses

5.2 Issues with Foundation VCAL

5.3 A new Foundation Pathways Certificate

6. Senior secondary provision

6.1 VCAL provision landscape

6.2 Access to VCAL programs

6.3 Accountability for transitioning students

6.4 NSSSP regulatory requirements and funding

Review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling F I N A L R E P O R T NOVEMBER 2 02 0 © State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training) 2020 Review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria (Department of Education and Training), indicate if changes were made and comply with the other licence terms, see: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International The licence does not apply to: • any images, photographs, trademarks or branding, includingthe Victorian Government logo and the DET logo; and • content supplied by third parties. CONTENTS Message from the Reviewer 6 Executive summary 8 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................................24 1.1 About the Review ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 1.2 Review context ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27 2. The purposes of vocational and applied learning in senior secondary education............32 2.1 History of senior secondary education ................................................................................................................................................. 33 2.2 Purposes of senior secondary education ...........................................................................................................................................34 2.3 Vocational and applied learning serves the purposes of senior secondary education..........................36 2.4 Specific purposes of vocational and applied learning support the fundamental purpose .................37 2.5 The purposes are not sufficiently translated in program delivery............................................................................... 41 2.6 A dual qualification framework exaggerates differences and promotes relative status........................42 2.7 Sharpening program focus to support successful transitions........................................................................................43 3. A new vocational and applied learning pathway ..............................................................................................44 3.1 Current VCAL practices....................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 3.2 Public and stake holder perceptions of VCAL.................................................................................................................................. 52 3.3 Design and delivery of VCAL .......................................................................................................................................................................... 55 3.4 Strengthening vocational and applied learning in senior secondary......................................................................69 4. A single senior secondary certificate ..........................................................................................................................86 4.1 Reforming the senior secondary certificate..................................................................................................................................... 87 4.2 Single certificate considerations ........................................

FAQs

What is the report’s overall focus?

The report reviews vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling, including how purposes are supported through programs and how pathways and qualifications could be strengthened.

Which topics are covered about VCAL?

It reviews current VCAL practices, perceptions of VCAL, design and delivery, and proposes options for strengthening vocational and applied learning in senior secondary.

What qualification and pathway changes does the report discuss?

It discusses the introduction of a new vocational and applied learning pathway, considers a single senior secondary certificate, and covers Foundation VCAL including a proposed Foundation Pathways Certificate.

Sep 20, 2026

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