Grants Programs
The Veteran Employment Program (VEP) focuses on raising awareness of the positive attributes veterans contribute as civilians. It also helps employers to better support veterans in the workplace to bring out their best, and opens pathways to new careers and further education through expanded recognition of prior learning.
The VEP has developed two grants designed to support veterans to move into employment or university education:
- Recruitment Advisory Service for Employers of Veterans Grant Program. A grant program to better support, with an initial focus on Veteran Employment Commitment signatories
- Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning – Tertiary Support Grant Program. Offers valuable financial assistance to tertiary institutions that support veterans wishing to undertake university study.
On 27 November 2023 the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Matt Keogh MP announced the recipients of two grants programs as part of the Veteran Employment Program.
The Recruitment Advisory Service for Employers of Veterans Grant Program
The Recruitment Advisory Service for Employers of Veterans Grant Program provides support to employers to better target and recruit veterans, and support and retain them in their workplaces.
This program will provide a single grant of up to $800,000 over three years. This funding will enable the grant recipient, working with the Program, to provide advice, support the development of veteran inclusive or targeted policies and procedures for workplaces, and create a range of products to enhance veteran recruitment and retention. This will provide better support for employers who wish to create veteran-friendly workplaces where veterans can perform at their best.
Recipient of the Recruitment Advisory Service Grant Program:
| Organisation name | Project description | Funding |
| Australian Catholic University | ACU will work collaboratively with employers, veteran groups, and HR specialists to define best policy and practice in the recruitment, retention, and support of veteran and Defence partners in the Australian workplace. | $800,000 |
The Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning – Tertiary Support Grant Program
The Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning – Tertiary Support Grant Program will provide funding to tertiary sector institutions to establish or enhance recognition of prior learning frameworks to better reflect the skills and knowledge veterans gain during their service.
The grant provides funding in three rounds over the course of three years to universities to better establish or enhance recognition of prior learning frameworks to reflect the skills and knowledge veterans gain during their service. This will ensure veterans who want to pursue a university education can do so more easily.
This grant is targeted at Australian universities and will provide $1.65 million over three one-year grant rounds.
Recipients of the Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning – Tertiary Support Grant – Round 1:
| Organisation name | Project name | Funding |
|
Flinders University (in consortium with University of the Sunshine Coast) |
Mapping Roles and Jobs – Recognising the skillsets of veterans to support more effective movement to employment | $150,000 |
| Australian Catholic University | Making All Learning Count – Building Higher Education Microcredentialing Framework for ADF Courses | $145,000 |
| University of Canberra | Connected-University of Canberra Veterans Tertiary Support Program | $147,000 |
| University of NSW | Veteran Pathways into Professional Education (VPIPE) Scheme | $150,000 |
| Charles Darwin University | CDU Veteran Recognition of Prior Learning Program | $100,000 |
Media release: https://minister.dva.gov.au/news-and-media/minister/supporting-veterans-tertiary-education-and-employment-0