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.
Microcredentials funded under the Pilot are required to be listed on the Government’s MicroCred Seeker website.
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, Minister Clare announced grants for 25 higher education providers (17 Table A, 1 Table B and 7 non-university higher education providers). The grant funding is for providers to deliver 48 new microcredential courses in national priority areas. Details of these courses are available at Round 2 Microcredentials.
Evaluation
An independent evaluation of the Pilot is planned for 2025 to strengthen understanding of how microcredential courses can be used to address skills shortages, support partnerships with industry and employers, improve access and equity; and provide pathways towards further higher education.
The benefits of extending FEE-HELP to students undertaking microcredentials will be tested, including to determine whether it increases the participation of historically underrepresented groups in higher education.
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