The 11 national Industry Skills Councils (ISCs) cover the skills needs of most Australian industry. In general terms these organisations work to involve industry with the development of nationally applicable vocational education and training.

ISCs are privately registered companies run by industry-based boards of directors, but whose funding is provided substantially by the Australian Government through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

ISCs give all industries, peak bodies, enterprises, unions, training organisations and governments a voice in Australia's vocational education and training system through a national system of industry advisory arrangements and a structure based on industry-led boards of directors and standing committees.