The additional places will develop a pipeline of highly-skilled STEM graduates who will strengthen Australia’s sovereign capabilities.
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About the measure
The Australian Government is investing $128.5 million over the forward estimates to support 4,000 commencing Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) over 2024 to 2027.
Growing a qualified and experienced STEM workforce to support Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine enterprise is a national priority. The scale of work required to support the enterprise will be unlike any previous shipbuilding program in Australian history and will deliver career and job opportunities for generations.
These additional places will develop a pipeline of highly-skilled STEM graduates who will strengthen Australia’s sovereign capabilities.
Places will be allocated to bachelor level courses only, with 1,000 places (EFTSL) to commence in each year from 2024 to 2027.
Eligible providers
Only higher education providers listed on Table A of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 will be eligible to receive an allocation of places. Higher education providers who are not a Table A provider are not eligible to apply.
Selection process
Allocation of places will be determined based on the outcomes of a competitive selection process.
Applications will be assessed against criteria by the Department of Education and the Australian Submarine Agency. The Department of Education and the Australian Submarine Agency will make recommendations to the Minister for Education on proposed allocations of places for approved courses for individual providers. Final allocations will be determined by the Minister for Education following consultation with the Minister for Defence.
Information on the selection criteria can be found at the program guidelines.
Applications
Applications will open on 1 September 2023 and close on 28 September 2023.
Applications must be submitted to NPSpathways@education.gov.au.
NPS Student Pathways – FAQs for providers
Frequently Asked Questions for providers regarding the measure and the application process are available on the Department’s website.