New career projects to boost opportunities for women around Australia

Joint media release with
The Hon Stuart Robert MP
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business

26th March 2022

The Morrison Government is supporting women’s economic security with greater access to career pathways and employment opportunities thanks to 42 new projects funded by the Australian Government through the National Careers Institute (NCI).

Round three of the NCI Partnership Grants program provides $10 million to fund projects that focus on increasing career opportunities and pathways for women, building on a key objective of the Government’s 2021–22 Women’s Budget Statement which provided 1.9 billion of dedicated funding to improve women’s economic security.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, said the Government is committed to seeing more women share in opportunities to boost their careers as the Australian economy continues to strengthen.

‘The Australian economy is firing as employment and participation hit record highs and the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.0 per cent, so there has never been a better chance to strengthen your career prospects,’ Minister Robert said.

‘These new projects are focused on helping women get the most out of their careers and it is worth noting women around the country are already benefiting from our strong economy, with the female participation rate rising to reach a new record high of 62.4 per cent in February 2022.’

Minister for Women's Economic Security, Senator the Hon Jane Hume, said the program will provide targeted support, open up new employment opportunities and get more women into work.

‘The high number of funding applications is terrific and proof of the strong interest to work with government to deliver projects that will improve the economic security of women across Australia,’ Minister Hume said.

‘Lifting workforce participation and supporting women into more diverse industries and the jobs of the future enhances economic security and lowers the gender pay gap. These projects will get more Australian women into higher paid and non‑traditional industries and occupations where women are under‑represented, and provide information and advice on returning from a career break.

‘Projects will be delivered by training organisations, universities, community groups, industry bodies and local governments and help women at all career stages to make better connections between their education and training and help them succeed in their chosen career.’

Two previous funding rounds of the NCI Partnership Grants have seen a total of $10.42 million awarded to 28 projects, which are now in progress.

Information on the successful organisations chosen to deliver round three projects can be found on the National Careers Institute website.