Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
The National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF), introduced in 2021 and piloted from 2022 to 2024 with an extension year in 2025, significantly expanded and diversified Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) across Australian higher education. The fund aimed to increase WIL opportunities for students, grow the pipeline of STEM-skilled graduates and improve their employment outcomes, and support universities to develop and strengthen partnerships with industry. To reflect on NPILF’s impact and identify priorities for sustaining WIL quality, equity and industry engagement in the years ahead, WIL Australia convened a national roundtable in October 2025. The event brought together 126 participants from universities, industry, community organisations and government to discuss achievements to date, ongoing challenges and opportunities for long-term sector coordination. Participants agreed that NPILF has accelerated innovation and improved access to WIL. Universities have scaled and diversified WIL opportunities, strengthened partnerships with employers and community organisations, and developed virtual and flexible models that support students in regional and remote areas, those with caring responsibilities and those experiencing financial pressures. Evidence from the Graduate Outcomes Survey shows that students who participate in WIL report stronger career readiness, higher full time employment and reduced overqualification, with these benefits evident for equity cohorts as well as the broader student population. The roundtable discussions also highlighted systemic issues requiring ongoing attention at the national level. Participants called for sustained investment to maintain the infrastructure built under NPILF, clearer governance arrangements and more coherent coordination across the WIL ecosystem. They emphasised improving industry engagement, strengthening cultural safety for First Nations students and ensuring that WIL participation is equitable for all learners. Participants noted that WIL is resource intensive and depends on long-term investment, streamlined partnership processes, accreditation flexibility and targeted supports for students and employers. Participants also drew attention to structural barriers affecting specific cohorts. International students face compounded disadvantage, including employer reluctance and the inequity of having internship hours deducted from their permitted work allowance. The sector also identified a persistent mismatch between the disciplines industry seeks and the profile of students accessing WIL opportunities, with some fields experiencing oversupply while others face significant shortages. Addressing these systemic imbalances will be critical for ensuring WIL can deliver on its workforce development promise. Five areas of focus were identified through the thematic analysis of roundtable contributions: funding and policy; industry and community engagement; equity and inclusion; virtual and flexible models; and curriculum and skills development. These were consolidated into three strategic domains:
1. Structure, which addresses embedding WIL as core educational infrastructure, improving national coordination and scaling virtual and flexible models; The recommendations in this report outline a pathway for embedding WIL more firmly within Australia’s tertiary education system. Photo by This is Engineering on Unsplash
2. Practice, which emphasises deeper partnerships, stronger equity and cultural safety measures, and consistent curriculum integration; and
3. Funding, which highlights the need for stable national investment and targeted supports for students and host organisations.
The recommendations in this report outline a pathway for embedding WIL more firmly within Australia’s tertiary education system. They reflect the collective expertise of the sector and align closely with government priorities to improve access, workforce readiness and outcomes for student cohorts who have historically faced barriers. These recommendations were refined through a peer-review process involving WIL Australia members to ensure they are evidence-informed and nationally relevant. Implementing them will help Australia build a more coherent, inclusive and future-focused WIL ecosystem that delivers lasting benefits for students, 5 4 employers, communities and the national economy1987).
Keywords
National Priorities and Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF), Work‑Integrated Learning (WIL), Australian higher education, Industry–university partnerships, Higher education policy, Equity in higher education, Employer engagement, Community partnerships, Industry engagement
Document Type
Report
Date of Publication
12-2025
Publisher
WIL Australia
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Copyright
WIL Australia
First Page
1
Last Page
36
Comments
Valencia-Forrester, F., Rueckert, C., Fish, N., & Cook, E.J. (December, 2025). National Priorty Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF) Roundtable Report to Government. WIL Australia. https://www.wilaustralia.edu.au/resources/npilf-roundtable-report-to-government-december-2025/