The Morrison Government is providing $900 million to fund partnerships between universities and industry that lead to more job-ready graduates.
The National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund will have a strong focus on STEM jobs and increasing the number and quality of work-integrated learning opportunities for students.
A working group of university Vice Chancellors, chaired by University of Technology Sydney Vice Chancellor Professor Attila Brungs, will meet this week to begin designing how the fund will operate.
Minister for Education Dan Tehan said universities and industry were already working together to deliver workplace-relevant education.
- The Morrison Government will provide $3.7 million to extend an innovative partnership between the University of Tasmania, University of South Australia, University of Queensland University, University of Western Australia and University of Technology Sydney and technology company Siemens to deliver a two-year associate degree in applied technologies to students drawn from local industries.
- Telstra is working with the University of Melbourne to grow Australia's technology talent pipeline through a $5.14 million partnership that will support students to learn and develop STEAM skills through workshops, industry-based projects and events.
"As part of the Job-ready Graduates package, our Government is encouraging greater collaboration between universities and industry on workforce preparation," Mr Tehan said.
"When local businesses and universities work together to improve the student experience it helps further ensure that graduates will have the skills to meet industry demand which will be critical to support economic recovery and jobs growth.
"The $900 million National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund will incentivise universities to be even more entrepreneurial and engaged with industry to drive a greater focus on domestic students and alignment with industry needs."
