MERIT ASSESSMENT GUIDE
Programme Launch Date: 01/01/2015
Updated: 10 February 2016
CONTENTS
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
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Overview .................................................................................................................. 3
Merit Criteria ............................................................................................................ 3
Evidence .................................................................................................................. 5
Priority Industries ..................................................................................................... 6
Skills advice and Entrepreneurs’ Programme .......................................................... 6
Clarification of information in an application ............................................................. 6
Assessing application which have been re-submitted .............................................. 7
Timeframes .............................................................................................................. 7
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1.1 OVERVIEW
The Industry Skills Fund ( fund) is delivered by the Department of Education and Training
(Department) and is a key element in the Australian Government’s National Industry Innovation and
Competitiveness Agenda.
This is a guide for Applicants in understanding how applications for the fund are assessed. All eligible
applications are assessed on a non-competitive basis against all fund Merit Criteria.
1.2 MERIT CRITERIA
When an application is received which is complete and meets all eligibility requirements, it will be
assessed based on the level of information and evidence provided to support each Merit Criteria.
The fund has five Merit Criteria which are equally weighted. A summary of the fund Merit Criteria and
how they are used to assess applications is provided below.
MERIT CRITERION A: GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
The applicant clearly articulates and demonstrates how they are positioning themselves to take up a
growth opportunity such as:

diversifying into new or emerging markets; or

adopting new or emerging technologies; or

entering export markets; or

responding to significant domestic market opportunities; or

repositioning themselves because of market driven structural adjustment.
Information and evidence which may address this criterion includes (but is not limited to):

A description of a new direction and/or growth opportunity for the company

Details of the goals for the company in relation to the growth opportunity

Inclusion of relevant facts and figures to support the proposal

Proposed strategies to pursue and achieve the identified growth opportunity

Information from a business plan which may include details relating to:
 Overall strategy
 Timelines for growth initiatives
 Marketing strategy
 Finance Requirements including forecasting
MERIT CRITERIA B: PRODUCTIVITY
The applicant clearly articulates and demonstrates how the productivity gains resulting from the
proposed project will deliver benefits to the Australian economy.
Information and evidence which may address this criterion includes (but is not limited to):
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
Increased employment opportunities and/or projected employment;

Improved business and technical capabilities;

Projected increase in competitiveness, both domestically and globally;

Technology gains;

Projected increase in taxation revenue;

Increased export of products/services;
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Information and evidence which may address this criterion includes (but is not limited to):

Increased supply of skilled labour; and/or

Improved employee productivity measures which may include:
 Revenue or output growth per employee;
 Decreases in product turnaround time; and/or
 Decreases in percentage rework.
MERIT CRITERIA C: LINKS BETWEEN THE GROWTH OPPORTUNITY AND TRAINING
The applicant clearly articulates and demonstrates the links between the growth opportunity, the
skills gaps identified in staff capability, and proposed staff training.
Information and evidence which may address this criterion includes (but is not limited to):

The skills profile required to succeed with the identified growth opportunity compared to
the applicant’s current skills profile (i.e. a Skills Matrix)

A detailed explanation of how the proposed training project will address skills gaps linked to
the proposed training and the identified growth opportunity

In the case of consortia, economic and workforce development analysis to support the
proposed project (commensurate with project size)

An explanation of how the proposed training will deliver a clear, tangible and transferable
benefit in terms of skills development to the individual participants receiving training,
through:
 the use of nationally recognised and/or accredited VET training where such training
exists which is relevant to the skills need; or
 in the case of non-accredited training:
 a clear and reasonable justification as to why VET training is not suitable for the
individual situation; and
 a clear demonstration that the individual participant will receive a tangible and
transferrable benefit through undertaking the training (which may include indicators
such as training being internationally recognised, having industry endorsement or
providing some other benefit to employees which is transferrable in the broader
labour market).

An explanation of how the proposed support services (where applicable) have a direct
relevance to both the training being delivered and the identified growth opportunity and
are intended to make the training more effective.
MERIT CRITERIA D: VALUE FOR MONEY
The applicant clearly articulates and demonstrates the value for money of the proposed project.
Information and evidence which may address this criterion includes (but is not limited to):
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
A minimum of two written Training Provider quotes addressing training needs, providing
clear identification of training outcomes including qualifications/skill sets/units of
competency; or justification for why the applicant is unable to provide two quotes (for
example due to the lack of providers of a particular qualification)

Justification of the choice of training provider and provision of a clearly itemised budget and
detailed training plan

Details of any contribution towards the project from other sources in addition to the
mandatory co-contribution.
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MERIT CRITERIA E: CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY TO MANAGE
The applicant clearly articulates and demonstrates both their capability and capacity and that of their
chosen training provider to carry out the proposed project.
Information and evidence which may address this criterion includes (but is not limited to):

A detailed project management strategy including staff availability for training and business
continuity management during training (commensurate with project size)

Details of project governance structures (commensurate with project size and complexity)

Risk Management plans (commensurate with project size and complexity)

Identification of the title and previous experience of the Project Manager within the
business who will oversee the project

Evidence of prior experience of the training provider in delivering the proposed training

Details of the performance of any known previous projects undertaken by the applicant or
training provider utilising Australian Government funding

In instances where the training provider does not fall under the jurisdiction of a formal
regulator (e.g. the Australian Skills Quality Authority), evidence of high quality processes
and delivery, which may include ISO accreditation, documented complaints and refund
protocols, a clear trading history etc.
1.3 EVIDENCE
Applications will be considered more convincing when claims are support by evidence. Evidence can
be used to support more than one criterion. There are many different types of evidence which may be
suitable to support an application. Examples of evidence which may be suitable include:
GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
Professional market research provided by a third party
A business plan covering the identified growth opportunity and documenting progress and outcomes
achieved to date
Supporting documentation from Industry Peak Bodies
Contracts, order documents or enquiries from businesses looking for a supplier
PRODUCTIVITY
Financial projections from a Chief Financial Officer or Accountant
Projections for future growth at the firm-level with supporting evidence
Evidence of productivity gains at the firm, sector or broader economy levels
ABS data, Business, Industry Peak Body or Government Reports which relate to the growth
opportunity
LINKS BETWEEN GROWTH OPPORTUNITY AND PRODUCTIVITY
Detailed planning documents including workforce planning documents or project plans including risk
assessment and treatments
Business consultant reports
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LINKS BETWEEN GROWTH OPPORTUNITY AND PRODUCTIVITY
A Skills Matrix including assessment of current capacities, targeted business improvement and
associated skilling requirements
Skill set and training package documentation
Confirmation of skilling outcomes (through sources such as training.gov.au) which support business
goals related to the growth opportunity
VALUE FOR MONEY
An itemised budget using a range of data sources to justify costings
Clear comparison with the costs associated with other similar and/or relevant skilling strategies or
projects undertaken
2 x Detailed quotes from Training Providers including training outcomes and proposed delivery
CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY TO MANAGE
Project Management and Risk Plans with clearly defined objectives, contingency plans and
management strategies to support the project
An organisation chart and manager profiles
Industry references and statements of capabilities from the preferred Training Provider
Governance strategies built on existing capabilities with clearly identified roles and responsibilities
1.4 PRIORITY INDUSTRIES
In alignment with the published intent of the Programme, a weighting may be applied to applications
from priority industries (as defined in the Industry Skills Fund Customer Information Guide).
http://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-assistance/Industry-Skills-Fund/Pages/ISF-Guidelines.aspx
1.5 SKILLS ADVICE AND ENTREPRENEURS’ PROGRAMME
In addition to referrals as a result of fund Skills Advice, the fund will also utilise the Department of
Industry and Science’s Single Business Service to allow for referrals to and from the Entrepreneurs’
Programme (EP). Businesses entering the fund in this manner will be considered ‘pre-qualified’ as
eligibility has been confirmed through engagement with EP. In this case the customer will only need
to complete merit criteria (d) and (e).
1.6 CLARIFICATION OF INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION
In some circumstances, it may be necessary for the Department to seek clarification of information
provided in an application. Where some clarification of a proposal is required, this may be undertaken
at any stage of the assessment process. All requests for clarification will be made in writing (by e-mail
or letter). Timely responses to these requests by applicants will support the timely assessment of
applications.
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1.7 ASSESSING APPLICATION WHICH HAVE BEEN RE-SUBMITTED
Where an application has been submitted previously, the Department will consider the original
assessment and feedback relating to the original application, as part of the subsequent assessment of
the application.
1.8 TIMEFRAMES
Applicants will be advised of the outcome of the assessment of their application in writing within 15
business days of receipt of a complete and eligible application. This timeframe extends by 10 business
days if the fund Programme Delegate seeks further advice or information from Departmental staff,
Skills Advisers or the Applicant..
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