The Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education is assisting higher education providers to design and deliver microcredentials in fields of national priority, to meet industry skills needs and increase access to life-long learning.
About the Pilot
Microcredentials are small courses in a specific area of study, with a focus on upskilling and reskilling in short timeframes, to meet the needs of employers and industry.
Under the Pilot, the Australian Government is funding the design and delivery of microcredentials which meet specific criteria and are aligned with a higher education award as defined in the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency Act 2011.
The Government has committed $18.5 million for the Pilot: $2 million for designing new microcredentials and $16.5 million to support the delivery of the courses to up to 4,000 students. The Pilot will run from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Grants to higher education providers
Two competitive application processes have been completed for funding microcredential courses. No future grant rounds are planned.
Outcome of Round 1
On 11 June 2023, Minister Clare announced 18 higher education providers (Table A) were granted funding to design and deliver 28 new industry focussed microcredential courses in areas of national priority: education, health, IT, engineering and sciences. Details of these courses are available at Round 1 Microcredentials.
Outcome of Round 2
On 29 August 2024, the Minister for Education announced the successful outcomes of Round 2, awarding 25 higher education providers (17 Table A, 1 Table B, and 7 non-university providers) funding to deliver 48 microcredential courses in national priority areas. Details of these courses are available at Round 2 Microcredentials.
Evaluation
An independent evaluation of the Pilot will commence in late 2025 to inform decisions on its future direction, with the evaluation scheduled for completion by mid-2026.
Further information
For further information on the Microcredentials Pilot in Higher Education, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions and Factsheet.
If you have a question that is not addressed in these resources, please contact HEMicrocredentials@education.gov.au