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General
What is STEM?
STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. For the purposes of the program, the definition for STEM includes the following fields of education (FoEs):
- natural and physical sciences
- information technology
- engineering and related technologies
- agriculture, environmental and related studies
What is a cadetship or advanced apprenticeship?
Both cadetships and advanced apprenticeships are course models in higher education, designed to enable employees to continue working while they learn. They require collaboration between higher education providers and employers.
Under an advanced apprenticeship model, an employer actively contributes to course delivery and an employee in an advanced apprenticeship style course gains course credit for parts of what they learn at work.
While there is a relationship between an employer and education provider in a cadetship style course, the employer is not generally involved in the delivery of the course. An employee in a cadetship style course will not necessarily receive course credit for learning in their usual workplace.
What is an employer reserved place?
An employer reserved place (ERP) is a place in a course of study made available under a restricted access arrangement. A restricted access arrangement, for a *course of study, means an arrangement that:
- was entered into between the higher education provider providing the course and an employer or industry body; and
- limits or restricts enrolments in some or all of the places in the course.
Students in an ERP cannot be in a Commonwealth Supported Place for that unit of study. They must be enrolled in an allocated ERP in order for the provider and/or employer to receive grants payments. If requested by the Department of Education, a provider must be able to produce evidence of the arrangement and details about the limitation or restriction on enrolment.
Higher Education Provider Questions
How were the program places allocated?
Program places were allocated through a competitive process. Round 1 was undertaken in December 2020 to January 2021 and Round 2 was undertaken in April 2022 to May 2022. Applications were open to all eligible higher education and non-university higher education providers for employer reserved places under the program. A list of approved providers is available.
How long are courses expected to take?
Courses offered through the program are to be delivered on a part-time basis (0.5 equivalent full time study load). The length of courses varies depending on the type of course an employee enrols in. As a guide, a Diploma is expected to be completed in around two years part-time, whereas an Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree is expected to be completed in around four years part-time.
Deferral of study for longer than one-half year period or an increased/reduced study load, is to be considered by the department on a case-by-case basis once a course is approved to be delivered in the program. Contact the team at TertiaryProjects@education.gov.au to discuss further.
Are the courses under the program permitted to have exit points?
There is no barrier to providing exit points if a student does not complete the entire course. The relevant qualification or credit recognition (such as an Undergraduate Certificate) can be issued based on the amount of study completed. However, funding for this student would only be provided for the half year period/s the student is enrolled in the course on the relevant Census date/s.
What can providers use their grant money for?
The amount a provider receives in grant funds and tuition fees will be equivalent to the total revenue the provider would receive to deliver the same course, if the employees enrolled in Commonwealth Supported Places.
Some providers also receive an Equality of Opportunity Payment to support employer costs and to support students under the program for purposes set out in subsection 52(3) of the Higher Education Support (Other Grants) Guidelines 2022.
- to provide flexible working arrangements to support the provision of higher education and enable employees to undertake study
- to collaborate with higher education providers on the development or design of courses of study
- work-based assessment
- supervision
- providing study equipment and resources
- reimbursing employees for expenses relating to their study
- work integrated learning
- associated program administration.
What happens if a student needs to complete a semester at a rate lower than 0.5 equivalent full time study load (EFTSL)?
It is expected that courses offered through the program are delivered on a part-time basis (0.5 EFTSL). Some students may be enrolled, at certain points, in a study load that is slightly higher or lower than 0.5 EFTSL, but this is to be considered by the department on a case-by-case basis. Contact the team at TertiaryProjects@education.gov.au to discuss further.
Following departmental approval of a reduced/increased study load, grants will be calculated based on a student’s course load for the relevant half year period.
What if we have a new partner employer join the program?
If allocated places under Round 1, providers will need to notify the department of the intention to onboard a new employer partner to the program. The department will determine if the new employer partner meets the grant eligibility requirements and enter into a Deed of Agreement with them. This is required in order for the new employer partner t to be eligible to receive the employer grant.
Employer Questions
How can employers participate in the program?
Employers should contact a participating higher education provider to discuss opportunities to get involved. Providers and courses can be found in this list. There are a limited number of places available under each course offering.
How much will employers receive in grant amounts?
The maximum grant amount an eligible employer can receive for the program is $10,000 for an employee enrolled in a Diploma and $20,000 for an employee enrolled in an Associate Degree, at a maximum rate of $5,000 per year, per employee. This amount is contingent on the employer satisfying the program requirements (see below).
What are the program requirements for employers?
Employers must agree with the provider or with the Commonwealth to provide conditions (such as releasing the employee from work) that allow the employees to study over the duration of the course of study. Employers must also enter into a restricted access arrangement with an approved provider under the program.
Eligible employers who receive the employer grant or Equality of Opportunity payment from providers must use the grant to support employees under the program for the purposes set out in subsection 52(3) of the Higher Education Support (Other Grants) Guidelines 2022.
- to provide flexible working arrangements to support the provision of higher education and enable employees to undertake study
- to collaborate with higher education providers on the development or design of courses of study
- work-based assessment
- supervision
- providing study equipment and resources
- reimbursing employees for expenses relating to their study
- work integrated learning
- associated program administration.
Does an employer need to be in a STEM-related industry?
No, an employer does not need to be in a STEM-related industry to participate in the program, however the program intent is that the STEM skills gained from the study should benefit the participating employer.
If an employer is interested in participating in the program, they should contact a higher education provider participating in the program. A list of providers is available.
Student Questions
How can students participate in the program?
Students need to be women working in paid employment whose employer agrees to provide conditions (such as releasing them from work) that allow them to study part-time in one of the approved courses, at an approved provider. Please contact the relevant higher education provider or ask your employer to get in contact. A list of providers is available.
Would I need to pay student tuition fees for my course in this program?
Students participating in this program will be liable for student tuition fees (equivalent to the student tuition fees that would be charged to students in a Commonwealth Supported Place) and will be required to pay their fees upfront. There are two options to assist with student tuition fees:
- use a FEE-HELP loan to pay all or part of the student tuition fees (subject to eligibility requirements)
- your employer and higher education provider agree that program funding is to be used to cover your student tuition fees.
What happens if a student fails a unit?
If a student fails a unit due to extenuating circumstances and they wish to continue in the course, there may be scope for this student to re-enrol in this unit under the program. This would be considered on a case-by-case basis and requires approval by the department. It is also dependent on the available funding for the program. If there are no extenuating circumstances and a student fails, generally they would not receive additional funding under the program to continue their study within the next half year period.
Does a student/employee need to be employed in a STEM-related industry in order to participate?
No, a student/employee can be employed with an organisation not related to their field of study. The program intent is that the STEM skills gained from the study should benefit the participating employer.
However, the employer needs to support the employee and must agree to release employees for study purposes and enter into a restricted access arrangement with an approved provider under the program. For eligible employers who elect to receive the employer grant they must use the grant to support employees participating in the program for the purposes set out in subsection 52(3) of the Higher Education Support (Other Grants) Guidelines 2022.
Can international students participate in this program?
Employees who would be classified as international students may be eligible to participate, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the program and an employer reserved place. Contact the relevant higher education provider for further information. A list of approved providers is available.
Further information
If you have a question that isn’t covered on this page, email TertiaryProjects@education.gov.au