Senator Jana Stewart Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba Labor Senator for Victoria

The Albanese Labor Government will make it easier for people in regional Victoria to go to university.

The number of university study hubs will double across the country, including establishing hubs in the outer suburbs of our major cities for the first time.

The Albanese Government will establish 20 new Regional University Study Hubs (formerly Regional University Centres) and 14 new Suburban University Study Hubs.

This announcement builds on the success of 34 existing Regional University Study Hubs–including the Country University Centres in Swan Hill and Ovens Murray.

This delivers on the first immediate action the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report released earlier this month.
Senator for Victoria Senator Jana Stewart who hails from Swan Hill said the hubs will make it easier for young people who live outside the major cities to get a degree.

“Almost one in two Australians in their late 20s have a university degree, but that’s not the case in the outer suburbs or regions. In the next ten years, more and more jobs will require a university or TAFE qualification.

“Growing up in regional Victoria, I understand the importance of listening to our local community – and what regional communities are telling us is they want access education closer to home,” Senator Stewart said. “The postcode you live in shouldn’t be a barrier to getting a degree.”

“The Government will invest $66.9 million to establish the 34 new Hubs in areas without physical university campus and where the percentage of the population with university qualifications is low.

“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.

This investment delivers on the first recommendation of the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report. Locations will be determined through a competitive application process run by the Department of Education. 

Senator Jana Stewart also welcomed the Albanese Labor Government’s guarantee to ensure all Indigenous students are eligible for a funded place at university if they are qualified for admission to the course. At the moment this only applies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who live in regional Australia.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to closing the gap and supporting First Nations young people to be confident about the equality of jobs available to them.” Senator Stewart said.

Only 7 per cent of young First Nations people in their 20s and 30s have a university degree. The new measure is set to double the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at university in a decade.

“We need to ensure young Australians, regardless of their location or background, can get the skills they need for the jobs of the future.” Senator Stewart said.