What are the National Priority Courses?

Australia’s Universities and NUHEPs (non-university higher education providers) are offering short, focused university level courses with heavily subsidised fees as a part of the Commonwealth Government Higher Education Relief Package.

These courses are designed to support workers displaced by the COVID-19 crisis to up-skill or retrain. They will be offered in the fields of national priority such as teaching, health, science, and information technology.  These courses are offered online only, and are expected to take 6 months to complete, from May 2020 to Dec 2020.

What can I study?

There are two levels of course being offered: Undergraduate Certificates and Graduate Certificates. These courses are in the national priority areas of teaching, health, science and information technology, and are only offered online.

The Course Seeker website is the best place to find all of the courses in one location: https://www.courseseeker.edu.au/courses

Make sure you use the filter to display only Short Courses.

You can also ask your local Centre Manager to assist you in finding the right course for you.

CUC Support for Students

We will be supporting any students in our communities studying these courses through a university or non-university higher education provider (NUHEP).

We offer dedicated study facilities with high speed internet (100mbps up and down), as well as assistance with applying for your course and support with general academic skills.

If you are new to study or returning after a long break, our Learning Skills Advisors are here to help! You can book a session to have a chat about navigating your university portal (Moodle or Blackboard etc.), how to reference, how to write an essay, and everything else in between. Book a session with your local LSA here.

FEATURED COURSE

CQUniversity Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing

The Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing is a self-paced, flexible online course, ideal for busy, emerging health leaders looking for specialist skills in postgraduate mental health nursing. Through this course, you will develop foundation knowledge and skills in mental health nursing, so it’s an ideal course for you if you have an interest in mental health nursing or you are newly employed in mental health. You will build your skills and knowledge in undertaking mental health assessments, diagnostic formulations and risk assessments, along with psychotropic medication, and recovery.

How do the fees work?

The government will be subsiding the cost of these courses, so that students pay a small contribution fee towards their course. The student contribution for these courses range from $1250 – $2500, depending on the area of study.

Students can defer their payment though HECS-HELP. Normal eligibility requirements for deferring payment through HECS-HELP will continue to apply.

Only courses starting after 1 May 2020 will be eligible for Commonwealth supported places. Up to four units will be supported, provided delivery is completed before end December 2020. If a person’s study continues beyond 2020, their student contribution rate will revert to the standard rate.

As this program has been introduced to support workers affected by the economic impact of COVID-19 and those who are looking to reskill or retrain, discounted student fees will only be available to students starting an Undergraduate Certificate or Graduate Certificate, not those already studying.

Find out more about fees here.

Who is eligible and how can students apply?

The entry criteria for each course will be available on your university course information page. The entry criteria will be different for each level of study, and could include looking at previous study, work experience or literacy/numeracy tests.

Some institutions have also asked for a statement of how COVID-19 has impacted your current situation.

Eligible students should apply directly to the institution and complete their enrolment with the institution by the census date.

When should I start applying?

Now! The short course program commences in May 2020 and will only apply for courses completed by Dec 2020.

Check your university application dates and census dates (it will be different for every institution) and remember that it could take a little while for your application to be processed.

We recommend that you get started today to be ready for Semester II intakes.