New Regional University Study Hub for Katanning

A new Regional University Study Hub opened to students this week at Katanning, bringing university closer in regional Western Australia.

Nearly half of young people in Australia have a university qualification but not in regional and remote Australia. In Katanning, only 12.9% per cent of young people have a degree.

Regional University Study Hubs are one of the ways to change this. The evidence shows that where they are, university participation goes up.

This new Study Hub in the centre of Katanning, will provide student support and facilities for students who are studying a university or TAFE course without having to leave their community.

The new Katanning University Study Hub is part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to double the number of University Study Hubs across the country.

The hub will be operated by Regional Development Australia Great Southern who operate the existing Great Southern Universities Centre in Albany which has supported over 400 students since opening. 

So far, the Katanning Study Hub has 12 registered students. Katanning is one of Western Australia’s most multicultural regional areas. 

There are now 56 Regional University Study Hubs located across the country.45 of these Hubs are open with the other 11 Hubs expected to open during 2025. 

This builds on the recent announcement for 15 Suburban University Study Hubs, located in the outer suburbs for the first time.

This is one of the ways the Albanese Labor Government is helping more people get a crack at going to TAFE or university, including:

• wiping $3 billion in student debt from around three million Australians
• cutting a further 20 per cent off of all student loans if re-elected, wiping around $16 billion in student debt
• introducing a Commonwealth prac payment for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students
• making free TAFE permanent.

For more information: Regional University Study Hubs - Department of Education, Australian Government

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare MP:

“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.

“In the years ahead more jobs will require more skills.

“The Government has set a target that by 2050, 80 per cent of workers will have a TAFE or university qualification.

“To hit that target we have to break down that invisible barrier that stops a lot of people from the bush getting a crack at going to university.

“The evidence is that where University Study Hubs are, university participation goes up that’s why we are doubling the number of Regional University Study Hubs.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Education, Regional Development, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Anthony Chisholm:

“Each time we’ve opened a new study hub, just like this one in Katanning, we’ve removed educational barriers that can stop people from attaining a tertiary qualification.

“Around 44 per cent of students who are registered at the existing Hubs across the country are the first in their family to attend university, which is fantastic to see.”

“The hubs in Broome, Albany and Geraldton have changed the lives of hundreds of students. Now Katanning locals will get the same opportunity.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for Western Australia, Senator Glenn Sterle:

“So far, 12 students have registered to use the new Katanning Study Hub.

“Study Hubs provide student support and campus-style facilities for students who are studying a university or TAFE course without having to leave their community.”