EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Issued by the authority of the Minister for Education and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Education Investment Fund (EIF) Evaluation Criteria No. 2 of 2009
Authority
Subsection 172(1) of the Nation-building Funds Act (the Act) provides that the EIF designated Ministers may, by legislative instrument, formulate criteria (EIF Evaluation Criteria, as defined by section 4 of the Act) to be applied by the EIF Advisory Board in giving advice under paragraph 171(1)(a) or (b) of the Act.
Section 4 of the Act defines the EIF designated Ministers to mean the Education Minister and the Research Minister. Section 4 of the Act defines Education Minister as the Minister who administers Part 2-2 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and Research Minister as the Minister who administers the Australian Research Council Act 2001.
The Administrative Arrangements Order made by the Governor-General on 1 May 2008 provides that the Minister for Education (Education Minister) is responsible for administering the Higher Education Support Act 2003 and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Research Minister) is responsible for administering the Australian Research Council Act 2001. As such this Determination is jointly issued by both Ministers.
This instrument has been issued jointly by the Education Minister and the Research Minister because the definition of EIF evaluation criteria in section 4 of the Act requires that the EIF designated Ministers to formulate these criteria.
Purpose
Pursuant to subsection 172(1) of the Act, the purpose of this Instrument is to:
- revoke the Education Investment Fund (EIF) Evaluation Criteria No. 1 of 2009, made on 13 February 2009 (the Former Instrument); and
- formulate new EIF evaluation criteria. to be applied by the EIF Advisory Board in giving advice under paragraph 171(1)(a) or (b).
Background
The EIF Advisory Board must apply the EIF evaluation criteria when carrying out its functions under paragraphs 171(1)(a) or (b) of the Act.
The contents of this instrument are summarised below:
- Projects will be assessed according to nine evaluation criteria.
- Under these nine evaluation criteria, specific requirements may apply according to the sector (higher education, research or vocational education and training) nominated by the applicant institution for that project.
- In giving advice to the EIF designated Ministers, the EIF Advisory Board must apply the EIF evaluation criteria.
The EIF Evaluation Criteria formulated by this Instrument are substantially similar to the previous EIF evaluation criteria under the Former Instrument.
This Instrument revises the previous EIF evaluation criteria in the following ways:
- Amends the national priorities in criteria 1 to take account of the Australian Government’s responses to the review of Australian Higher Education (Bradley Review) and the Review of the National Innovation System (Cutler Review) – Transforming Australia’s Higher Education System and Powering Ideas: An Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century respectively, as well as to include provisions for the Sustainability Round.
- Splits two of the criteria (into four) to better assist applicants to provide quality information and to assist the EIF Advisory Board to assess projects.
- The project quality criteria has been re-named project determination to more accurately reflect the substance of the criteria.
Explanation of provisions
Projects will be assessed according to nine evaluation criteria. These criteria are:
- Extent to which the project will address national higher education, research, VET, and/or sustainability infrastructure priorities
- Extent to which the project is clearly aligned with the organisation’s priorities and strategic directions
- Extent to which there will be a positive impact on enhancing capacity
- Extent to which the project will result in improvements consistent with the level of investment
- Project determination
- Extent of collaboration
- Extent of co-investment
- Project readiness
- Capacity of the organisation to support, maintain and integrate new infrastructure into ongoing business operations
Elements of specific criteria may vary depending on the sector nominated by the applicant institution for that project.
Consultation
The EIF Advisory Board, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) have conducted stakeholder engagement since the conclusion of the previous EIF funding round (EIF Round 2). This has included feedback sessions and information and awareness sessions.
EIF Round 2 Feedback Sessions
DEEWR and DIISR undertook, following the announcements of the result of EIF Round 2, to provide feedback on applications to institutions upon request. This feedback is in addition to the written feedback provided to all EIF Round 2 applicants immediately following the outcome of the round.
Information and Awareness Sessions
The EIF Advisory Board has engaged with stakeholders, including peak representative bodies and industry associations, state and territory governments, Round 2 applicant institutions and potential applicants since the conclusion of EIF Round 2. These sessions provided for a discussion of past rounds and future rounds as forecast in the 2009-10 Budget.
No specific need was identified through these sessions that warranted substantial changes to the Evaluation Criteria. The minor amendments in this determination have been driven by clarification of government policy and feedback from the EIF Advisory Board.
Commencement
This Instrument takes effect on the day after the day on which it is registered on the
Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.
Business Cost Calculator
This instrument does not require a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) or a Business Cost Calculator Figure. The instrument is not regulatory in nature and will not impact on business activity and will have no compliance costs or competition impact.