Release type: Joint Media Release

Date:

New Regional University Study Hub opens on King Island

Ministers:

The Hon Jason Clare MP
Minister for Education
Anne Urquhart MP
Member for Braddon

A new Regional University Study Hub officially opened today on King Island, bringing university closer for local residents.

Nearly half of young people in Australia have a degree but not in regional and remote Australia. On King Island, only around 22 per cent of young people have a degree.

The evidence shows that where Regional University Study Hubs are, university participation goes up.

This new Study Hub, co-located in the new King Island Community Hub, will provide support and facilities for students who are studying a university or VET course without having to leave their community.

Study King Island is part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to more than double the number of University Study Hubs across the country.

The hub is operated by West Coast Heritage who operate the existing Study Hub West Coast with sites in Smithton and Zeehan, which has supported over 330 students since opening. 

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

  • cutting 20 per cent off of all student loans, wiping around $16 billion in student debt for three million Australians
  • fixing the indexation formula and wiping a further $3 billion in student debt, combined this will cut close to $20 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:

“Today, almost one in two young people have a university degree. But not everywhere. Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia, or communities like King Island.

“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 Study Hubs are, university participation goes up. That’s why we are doubling the number of Hubs across the country.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Braddon, Anne Urquhart:

“Study King Island will offer both young and mature local students the opportunity to have a dedicated study hub with support on the Island and help raise education aspirations.

“The Hub will provide support to local students studying at any Australian University or VET provider, allowing students to stay on Island and remain near their support networks while completing their studies.”