On 19 June 2020, the Australian Government announced the Job-ready Graduates Package. The National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF), introduced under the package, allocated block grants to universities to support enhanced engagement with universities and industry to produce job-ready graduates.
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The National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF) is a part of the Job-ready Graduates package of higher education reforms, which, following a learning year in 2021, ran from 2022 to 2025. The NPILF allocated grants to universities to help engage industry to produce job-ready graduates. It focused on the following three priorities:
- Increase the number of internships, practicums, and other innovative approaches to work-integrated learning
- Increase the number of STEM-skilled graduates and improve their employment outcomes
- Support universities to develop and strengthen partnerships with industry.
The program was flexible and tailored to the individual circumstances of universities. It encouraged innovation by using industry-linked teaching models and supporting best practice.
NPILF design and consultations
The former Minister for Education appointed a working group of university Vice-Chancellors on 1 July 2020 to advise on the design and implementation of the NPILF. The working group was chaired by Professor Attila Brungs, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney.
Following a consultation process, the working group produced the NPILF Final Report. The report outlines the intent of the NPILF and recommended a framework for implementation.
NPILF funding
The NPILF was established under the Other Grant Guidelines (Education) Amendment (No.3) 2020, made under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA). The Other Grant Guidelines (Education) 2012 were superseded by the Higher Education Support (Other Grants) Guidelines 2022 on 17 March 2022.
As provided for under these legislative guidelines, from 2021 to 2025, Table A higher education providers received an NPILF grant amount which corresponded to the number of CSPs they were allocated each year, based on the last year of verifiable data. The funding amounts were indexed by CPI in line with broader HESA provisions. Funding amounts are outlined in the table below:
| Band Criteria | 2021 NPILF funding allocation | 2022 NPILF funding allocation | 2023 NPILF funding allocation | 2024 NPILF funding allocation | 2025 NPILF Funding allocation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 9,999 | $3.25 million | $3.28 million | $3.39 million | $3.66 million | $3.809 million |
| 10,000 – 14,999 | $4.75 million | $4.79 million | $4.96 million | $5.35 million | $5.567 million |
| 15,000 – 21,999 | $7.00 million | $7.06 million | $7.31 million | $7.88 million | $8.203 million |
| 22,000 and above | $8.75 million | $8.83 million | $9.14 million | $9.85 million | $10.254 million |