The nature and quality of the school-industry programs through which year 11 and year 12 Australian students incorporate periods of learning in the workplace into their senior school studies were examined to identify differences between the programs offered in Australia's various states and territories. The study was based primarily on data gathered in the 1996 national survey of school-industry programs conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research. Despite the existence of national modules, marked differences were discovered in how individual states and states and territories interpret students' needs as they develop toward occupational competence and in how the workplace is used to meet those needs. Within individual industries, typical lengths of work placements varied widely by state. Significant gaps in provision of school-industry programs in relation to young people's job opportunities were found in many states. It was concluded that many of the differences identified have less to do with students' needs or employers' preferences than with the circumstances, traditions, and territorial imperatives of state and territorial education systems. It was recommended that the differences between Australia's states approach school-industry programs and vocational education be reduced. (Eighteen tables/figures are included. Appended are additional 16 tables/figures.) (MN)