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The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program
The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) aims to ensure that Australians from low SES backgrounds who have the ability to study at university get the opportunity to do so. It provides funding to assist universities listed in Table A of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 to undertake activities and implement strategies that improve access to undergraduate courses for people from low SES backgrounds, as well as improving the retention and completion rates of those students. In addition, the HEPPP supports the Australian Government’s ambition that 20 per cent of domestic undergraduate students will be from low SES backgrounds by 2020.
The HEPPP consists of two components, Participation and Partnerships.
The total amount of funds available for allocation under the HEPPP are:
| Participation |
$111 696 248 |
$121 739 238 |
$132 252 615 |
|---|
| Partnerships |
$62 180 598 |
$63 562 868 |
$67 132 442 |
|---|
| Total HEPPP |
$173 876 846 |
$185 302 106 |
$199 385 057 |
|---|
PLEASE NOTE: Figures do not reflect application of efficiency dividend.
The legislative basis for the HEPPP is provided by the:
Component A - Participation
The Participation component of HEPPP provides a financial incentive to universities to increase the participation of domestic students from low SES backgrounds in accredited undergraduate qualifications, and support the retention and success of those students.
Participation funding allocated to each university is shown in the following spreadsheet:
- 2010-2013 HEPPP Participation Allocations [
XLSL 12KB]
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Component B - Partnerships
The Partnerships component of HEPPP provides funding to assist universities to develop activities in partnership with primary and secondary schools, vocational education and training providers, other universities, State and Territory governments, community groups, and other stakeholders to raise the aspirations and build the capacity of people from low SES backgrounds to participate in higher education. These initiatives are intended to ensure a coordinated approach to concentrating resources to most effectively target low SES communities where articulation to universities has historically been low.
Under this component, each eligible university received baseline funding of $250 000 in 2012.
The Government announced in the 2012-13 Budget that the Partnerships component will be expanded to redirect $50 million within HEPPP to support innovative approaches to help disadvantaged students aspire to and complete a university qualification, with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
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New Funding Announced
On 30 April 2013, the Minister announced changes to the Partnerships component of HEPPP:
- $36.5 million over 2013 and 2014 will be allocated to universities using the Participation formula. This will allow universities greater flexibility to support Partnership activities. Universities’ individual allocations for 2013 will be published shortly.
- $50 million over 2013, 2014 and 2015 to provide more intensive support for disadvantaged students, including Indigenous students. This will be allocated via a competitive round with the Department to call for applications on 8 May 2013. More information can be found below.
- Redirection of the annual Partnerships Baseline funding ($9.5 million) from 2014 to create a National Priorities Pool to support the effective implementation of HEPPP nationally and at the institutional level.
The Minister also confirmed that funding for HEPPP is ongoing.
2013 Competitive Grants Round
This funding round is now open for applications from eligible universities.
The closing date is 5.00pm EST Wednesday 5 June 2013.
The Administrative Information for Providers (AIP) to assist providers in applying [
PDF 215KB] [
DOCX 113KB]
Applicants should familiarise themselves with the AIP before submitting applications. The AIP should be read in conjunction with Chapter 1 of the Other Grants Guidelines
The 2013 Competitive Grants Round Application Form [PDF 114KB] [DOCX 80KB]
2011 - 2014 Competitive Grants
The Australian Government announced on 15 December 2011 funding of approximately $67.1 million for 11 projects under the first round of the Partnerships competitive grants process. View the successful projects from the 2011 competitive grants process for more information.
For further information about these projects, please contact the relevant universities directly.
Contacts
For further information, please contact the Department at equity@innovation.gov.au.
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