In July 2007 the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations commissioned PhillipsKPA to undertake an independent review of career development services provided by Australian tertiary education providers.
Previous reviews have focused on career development services in universities. This is the first time that the focus has been broadened to cover the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector including TAFE Colleges/Institutes and Registered Training Organisations which offer nationally recognised training and qualifications.
The review is based on extensive fieldwork and engagement with all levels of stakeholders. The review assesses the impact of the recommendations of previous reviews, particularly the extent to which career development services are considered part of the core business of higher education and VET providers. A related issue is the level of student interest in career advice, the extent to which they use and value the services provided, and the benefits of career development services for students, institutions and employers. In addition, the review examines international best practice in policy frameworks, provides comparisons with Australian trends and activities, and identifies examples of good practice in Australian tertiary institutions.
The Report makes 18 recommendations aimed at improving the range and quality of career development services in universities and VET institutions so that they can achieve this potential.
Report PDF 
(2.0 MB)
Chapter 1
Introduction and overview
Background to Australian career development services landscape and purpose and scope of the review.
Chapter 2
Project design
Provides a summary of the project design and management. It details the case study schedules, survey instruments and forum processes.
Chapter 3
International policy and research
Sets the international context for the report with six examples from policy and practice, primarily from the UK, that informed the analysis and conclusions of the review. It includes an account of the literature and research on the benefits of career development services.
Chapter 4
Career development services in Australia 1990-2007
Presents an outline of Australian policy developments in career services from the time of the Koder Review to the present with an emphasis on the most recent activities leading to this review. We are aware that international readers may need some background information on the structure and organisation of Australian tertiary education and recent developments. These are outlined in Chapter 4. Further information is available in the OECD Country Background Report (Australia) 2007.
Chapters 5–8
Institutional contexts, structures and functions
Current service provision
Changing focus and priorities in service provision
Funding, resourcing and staffing
Report on the data from the fieldwork using the survey questionnaire as the framework and primary source of information, with observations and illustrations from the case studies, forums and examples of good practice submitted by career development centres.
Chapters 9 and 10
Issues and directions
Conclusions and recommendations
The final chapters summarise the issues, suggesting future directions, and providing conclusions and recommendations. Chapter 9 reflects the priority given to the stakeholder consultations throughout the review.
Appendices
Appendix 1 provides a selection of examples of good practice submitted to the review by institutions.
For further information please email the DEEWR project manager, Amanda Popple at amanda.popple@deewr.gov.au