Senator Jana Stewart Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba Labor Senator for Victoria   Senator The Hon. Anthony Chisholm Assistant Minister for Education Assistant Minister for Regional Development   The Hon. Jason Clare MP Minister for Educations

The Albanese Government will make it easier for people in rural and regional communities like Victoria’s northeast to go to university.

Applications are now open for 10 new Regional University Study Hubs to be established around Australia, giving more students from the bush access to tertiary education.

The Albanese Government is investing $66.9 million to double the number of University Study Hubs across the country and bringing the Hubs to the outer suburbs of our major cities for the first time.

In response to the Universities Accord Interim Report, the Government will establish up to 20 additional Regional University Study Hubs, and up to 14 new Suburban University Study Hubs.

The Regional University Study Hubs will provide spaces to support students, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds, First Nations students and people with disability.

This builds on the success of 34 existing Regional University Study Hubs – including the Country Universities Centres in Swan Hill, Ovens Murray, Wangaratta, Mansfield and Corryong. 

Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart said this will make it easier for young people who live outside the major cities to get a degree.

“The postcode you live in shouldn’t be a barrier to getting a degree, and this opportunity could be lifechanging for regional Victorians.

“The Hubs will provide support close to home for students that would otherwise need to travel long distances to get to and from an inner-city campus.”

Minister for Education, Jason Clare, said these new Study Hubs deliver on the first recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report.

“Today, almost one in two young people in their 20s and their 30s have a university degree. But not everywhere. Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia,” Mr Clare said.

“The Accord Panel makes it clear that we need more people from the regions and outer suburbs to get a university qualification.

“I want more young people to get a crack at going to university and we know that postcode is a massive barrier for young people getting that chance.”

Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, said existing Study Hubs have already supported more than 3,400 rural and regional students.

“This program removes barriers for students in regional and remote areas who want to peruse a tertiary education, while keeping them in the communities they love,” Mr Chisholm said.

“I encourage eligible organisations to submit applications to establish a Study Hub in their region. These Hubs are a great way for people to access and study a wide range of courses from educational institutions across Australia without having to leave their communities.”

This is the first funding round for 10 additional Regional University Study Hubs, a second round for the following 10 will open at a later date.

Eligible organisations in regional and remote Australia are now invited to apply. Applications are due by 5pm AEDT, 15 December 2023.

Applications will be assessed by a panel as part of a competitive process, with the new Hubs expected to be operational from mid-2024.

More information about the Regional University Study Hubs program and how to apply can be found here.