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Adult and community education (ACE) is the most decentralised of the education sectors. ACE refers to the provision of those general adult education programs and activities which fall outside, but complement, the formal programs and qualification pathways provided by the school, VET and higher education sectors. ACE focuses on the provision of learning opportunities at a community level, rather than work-related training. The community education and VET sectors are the largest providers of adult recreational and leisure courses.

Courses range from general interest, recreational and leisure activities, personal development, social awareness and craft through to vocational, remedial and basic education. Community-based adult education is open to all, and its non-formal characteristics demonstrate the capacity of the community to develop alternatives to institutionalised education. In 2000, 35% of students enrolled in ACE courses were enrolled in Arts, humanities and social sciences courses, 20% were enrolled in Health and community services courses, and 19% were enrolled in VET multi-field education courses (table 10.21).

Recreation, leisure, and personal enrichment enrolments are mainly undertaken with community-based providers (82% of students in 2000), the balance being almost entirely enrolled with government VET providers. There were 232,900 enrolments in these programs in 2000, 70% of which were by females.