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This paper looks at the vocational education and training (VET) strategies and policies that are being adopted in Australia, why they are being adopted, and what Australia can learn from policies in other countries, mainly New Zealand and the UK. Six issues, relating to one or more of the objectives in Australia’s national strategy for VET for 2004-2010 (indexed at TD/ANTA 73.11) are considered: (1) workforce/adult training and retraining in the light of ageing and shifting occupational structures; (2) equity issues for indigenous and other groups; (3) managing demand and funding so that priorities are met; (4) developments in qualification structures and quality assurance; (5) enhancing provider capacity to ensure quality and responsiveness; and (6) regional and community capacity building. An analysis of national strategies, policies, objectives and priorities of government agencies was undertaken to provide a point of comparison with Australia’s national strategy for VET. A major theme to emerge from this analysis is the need to define the potential workforce broadly to include those wishing to re-enter the workforce and those who have left the workforce, and to develop and adopt strategies targeting particular sub-populations and market segments.