Adrian Ong and Michelle Circelli analysed the completion rates for VET students starting in 2011 and 12 for the estimable National Centre for Vocational Education and Training.

They notably found:

42 per cent of TAFE students complete, compared to 32 per cent of those at universities. But other training providers, 44 per cent,  marginally outperfom the state government systems

Employment matters. Some 51 per cent of apprentices and trainees complete their course, compared to 30 per cent for other students. Students with full-time jobs complete at a greater rate, 44 per cent, than those who are unemployed and looking for full-time work, 38 per cent.

The higher the qualification, the better the completion rate, 44 per cent for diploma and above, compared to 31 per cent for certificate one.