More than a quarter of HSC students are now including vocational education and training courses among their HSC subjects, with new data from the NSW Education Standards Authority revealing the upward trend as the Minns Labor Government invests in expanding and strengthening pathways into vocational education and skilled employment.
The 2026 HSC Enrolment Snapshot, taken in September each year and released today by NESA, shows that in 2026, VET enrolments grew by 6% compared to last year, with 28% of the HSC cohort now studying a VET course. Since 2020, HSC VET course enrolments have increased by 20%.
Hospitality (9,250 students), Construction (4,188 students) and Business Services (3,158 students) continue to see the highest number of enrolments year-on-year, with the data showing students are also turning to a range of other VET courses that support their future plans.
Financial Services is gaining in popularity, jumping by 82% this year to 215 students; while Human Services is up by 21% to 1,182 students, and Electrotechnology (763 students), Automotive (597 students) and Information and Digital Technology (600 students) are among the VET courses that have increased by more than 10%.
The growth in HSC enrolments in VET courses comes amid the Minns Labor Government’s $11.6 million expansion of the Educational Pathways Program, which provides participating schools with additional resources to connect students with employers for work experience, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. The program will be delivered in an additional 24 high schools next year, bringing the total participating schools to 207.
More students are now able to study more than one VET course for their HSC and have their results count towards their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), following changes to the calculation of the ATAR which came into effect last year.
There are 84,053 students enrolled in at least one HSC course in 2026, with those completing their HSC this year making up 74,542 of those enrolments.
In non-VET subjects, Mathematics continues to see the highest enrolments after compulsory English, with enrolments across the five examined maths courses remaining relatively stable. More than 40% of HSC students are studying a science subject, with 35,258 students electing to study at least one science course for their HSC. Consistent with previous years, around 35% of the HSC cohort chose at least one course with a major work or performance component.
HSC written exams are scheduled to commence on 13 October with English Paper 1 and conclude on 5 November with Physics.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“It’s fantastic to see more students choosing to study VET subjects for their HSC, with the reputation and recognition of VET as a valuable pathway continuing to grow.
“We need students finishing school with a range of skills and a toolbelt of knowledge to help them move into their next phase of life and prepare for the jobs of the future, which is why the Minns Labor Government is strengthening VET pathways in our schools.
“All the best to the 75,000 HSC students who are now finalising their preparations for the written exams. Get plenty of rest, take time for yourself and feel confident in all that you know and can do.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
“The Minns Labor Government and our schools have been working hard to achieve increases VET enrolments, based on the future needs of the workforce including across Construction, Human Services and Information and Digital Technology.
“While the HSC Class of 2026 prepare to sit their exams next month, I encourage our younger high school students to consider a VET course when they make their HSC subject selections.
“It means students can count their studies towards both the HSC and a nationally recognised VET qualification – giving young people the skills that work and setting them up for rewarding careers in growing industries.”
NSW Education Standards Authority CEO Paul Martin said:
“Each year the HSC enrolment snapshot provides us with useful information about student enrolments by course, gender and location.
“It provides insights into what students are choosing and any potential trends emerging across learning areas.
“Across this year’s enrolments, what really stands out is the diversity that the HSC offers – and the breadth of choice available to students.
“There are thousands of study patterns for students to choose from, in line with what they are good at and interested in, and what they want to do after school. That is the strength of the HSC.”
