Rollover of 2021 short course funding into 2022

On 7 December 2021, the Australian Government announced that it will continue supporting universities and non-university higher education providers (NUHEPs) to deliver innovative industry-focused short courses in 2022.

These places will support students, to undertake higher education in order to prepare our nation and workforce to move out of recession, and will help Australians to retrain and up-skill in national priority areas including teaching, health, science, information technology and agriculture.

In the 2020-21 and 2021-22 Budgets, the Government provided funding for short courses to give Australians more opportunities to upskill and retrain in 2021, including in areas of national priority. Unspent 2021 short course funding has been rolled over into 2022.

For 2022, universities will be permitted to roll over and use up to 85 per cent of their 2021 short course funding allocation. NUHEPs will be permitted to roll over their full 2021 short course allocation.

Short courses delivered in 2022 can lead to the award of an Undergraduate Certificate or Graduate Certificate. This reflects the extension of the Undergraduate Certificate as a qualification in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) until 30 June 2025.

Providers can continue to deliver already approved short courses. Any new courses will be subject to an assessment process in early 2022. New courses must target areas of industry need and contribute to greater university-industry collaboration.

Course Seeker allows you to search, select and compare up to four higher education courses nationally across different institutions and/or study areas. This information can assist you in making your study choice.

Things you should know:

• Eligible students can defer payment through HECS-HELP.
• Providers may have additional eligibility requirements for their courses. It is advised prospective students check with the provider before enrolling.
• Courses may be delivered online, face to face or a combination of both.
• The student fees for these short courses will vary depending on the  discipline studied and the provider. Prospective students will need to check fees with the provider before enrolling into a course.
• Students who complete a new short course will be awarded either an Undergraduate Certificate or a Graduate Certificate depending on the level of their studies.
• Study in a short course can take place at Australian Qualification Level (AQF) level 5 (Diploma) to 9 (Masters Degree)

Need more information?

This information is current as of 1 April 2022. Course information continues to be posted on Course Seeker as it becomes available, so please check back frequently to see the latest course offerings and providers offering these courses.