The Albanese Government has announced universities can now apply for additional Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) targeted at graduates in STEM courses.
The additional CSPs are designed to attract more students to train in engineering, mathematics, chemistry and physics, meeting the needs of the AUKUS submarine program.
The Government will invest $128.5 million over four years to fund the extra 4,000 university places. Of the 4,000 additional places, 800 will go to South Australian universities, as part of the Cooperation Agreement to support the construction of the submarines in Adelaide. This will increase the STEM workforce supply and develop the advanced technical skills needed to work on nation-changing projects.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: “At the centre of the success of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines will be the people who build them.
“The Albanese Government is committed to investing in young Australians and skilling our future workforce.”
Minister for Education Jason Clare said: “We need more young Australians studying STEM subjects and developing the skills we need for the AUKUS program.
“These additional university places will give more Australians a crack at a career in STEM.”
More information is available at the Department of Education’s website.