Participation in work-related training or formal study fell to 34 per cent of people aged 15-74 in 2024-25, compared to 39 per cent of the same age range in 2020-21, according to new data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Mell Plumb, ABS head of education and training statistics, said: 'Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, the proportion of people participating in formal study fell by two percentage points to 19 per cent. For 45 per cent of people undertaking formal study, the main reason they did so was to increase their job prospects, while for 35 per cent, the main reason was to improve their skills in their current job.'
During the same period, the proportion of people participating in work-related training fell by four percentage points to 19 per cent, with just over one in six people (17 per cent) incurring personal costs in the process.
Barriers to formal study
Having too much work or not enough time was the leading barrier to formal study, representing 54 per cent of males (up 14 percentage points since 2020-21) and 43 per cent of females (up 9 percentage points) who experienced barriers.
'Childcare was a notably gendered barrier to formal study, with 15 per cent of females who experienced barriers unable to access learning because of childcare needs, compared to 6 per cent of males,' Ms Plumb said.
Barriers to work-related training
Financial reasons were the main barrier for 26 per cent of people who experience barriers to work-related training, with too much work or lack of time being the main barrier for 44 per cent of the same group.
'In outer regional and remote areas, 11 per cent of people with barriers to work-related training said courses not being available was their main barrier, compared to 7% of people in major cities who reported the same main barrier,' Ms Plumb said.
