Adult community education is an essential part of the skills and training system. It provides adult learners with the core skills and confidence they need for work, further study, and to help them participate in their communities.
In Victoria, a central part of this learner-centred system is the Learn Local program, which funds around 200 place-based, community organisations to deliver flexible pre-accredited foundation skills training, including language, literacy, numeracy, employability and digital skills to learners in communities across the state.
The Learn Local program in Victoria provides benefits that extend well beyond the individual learner. Evaluations of adult community education internationally and in Australia consistently find that the benefits extend well beyond employment. Returns are seen through:
- increased earnings and productivity
- reduced welfare dependency
- improved health and wellbeing
- increased volunteering
- stronger community participation
- lower justice and healthcare costs
- greater social inclusion.
As such, the Learn Local program represents both an education initiative and a long-term investment in Victoria’s economic prosperity and social wellbeing. By supporting people who are often least likely to engage in traditional education, Learn Local providers help to expand the state’s skilled workforce while strengthening the social fabric of local communities.
In 2025, funding supported training for around 28,000 Victorians, helping to improve access to learning opportunities for a diverse learner group. At Learn Local providers:
- 70% of learners are women
- more than half of learners are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- a quarter of learners are from regional Victoria
- 17% of learners are people with disability
- 2% of learners are First Peoples.
Learn Local providers are critical to the delivery of foundation skills in Victoria. Being embedded deeply in communities, these organisations pride themselves on providing an inviting, accessible and flexible environment. They reach the members of the community who often face barriers to participation, including:
- more than 35% of learners have a concession card
- almost 30% of learners were unemployed before training
- more than 20% of learners are early school leavers
- learners who are vulnerable workers at risk of retrenchment.*
The Future of Adult Community Education in Victoria 2020–25 Ministerial Statement was developed with the Adult, Community and Further Education Board, Learn Local providers, TAFEs, employers and unions. The Ministerial Statement sets out a clear and shared vision to support and strengthen adult community education so it can best meet the needs of learners and communities. In addition, peak bodies such as Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, Adult Community Education Victoria and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. are key delivery partners who have been essential in achieving these goals.
Guided by this Ministerial Statement, the Victorian Government and adult community education providers have together achieved the shared goals of:
- strengthening focus on learners
- building recognition of adult community education
- supporting provider adaptation
- fostering collaboration.
*Note: Learners can be counted in more than one learner group.
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