This paper examines how to increase the national vocational education and training (VET) research effort in Australia and the mechanisms to increase the knowledge about and use of research results. Section 1, "Introduction," addresses the rapid change in VET and importance of a national VET research effort. Section 2, "Increasing the National VET Research Effort," describes the national research and evaluation strategy for VET for 1997-2000 and six priority areas: economic and social implications of VET; employment and work force; pathways from school to work; outcomes of the VET sector; quality of VET provision; and future issues affecting the VET sector. Progress to date is reported. Section 3, "The Effectiveness of the National VET Research and Evaluation Effort," takes a general look at recent studies and focuses on two reviews: (1) the Figgis review, which determined that users are looking for development of value-added research information and for a wider variety of mechanisms through which to be informed; and (2) the Taylor review, which proposed two key measures--implementation of a research utilization strategy and adoption of a system of research references. Section 4, "Better Dissemination and Utilization of VET Research," describes these measures: publish and distribute more research; develop new research information products; go digital; get the message out face-to-face; make VOCED a world-class VET research database; and promote greater public awareness of VET issues. Section 5 offers conclusions. The document contains 18 references and lists of research projects commencing in 1989-99, 1999-2000, and 1997/1998. (YLB)