New Regional University Study Hub for the Pilbara

A new Regional University Study Hub officially opened today at the Ashburton University Study Hub’s Onslow site, bringing university closer in the Pilbara region.

The Government is providing funding for this Regional University Study Hub which is operating across two sites, at Onslow and Tom Price. The second site at Tom Price officially opened earlier this month.

Nearly half of young people in Australia have a university qualification but not in regional and remote Australia. In Onslow, only around 21 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 and completion goes up.

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

So far, 16 students have started to use the Onslow facility and are studying courses such as health and science. 19 people have started studying at the Tom Price location.

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.

There are now 46 Regional University Study Hubs located across the country. 41 of these Hubs are open with the other 5 Hubs expected to open by Semester 1, 2025.

This builds on the recent announcement for the first 10 Suburban University Study Hubs, located in the outer suburbs for the first time.

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:

“Those living in regional, rural and remote Australia are almost half as likely to obtain a university qualification compared to those living in our cities.

“Each time our government opens a new Regional University Study Hub, just like this one in the Pilbara, we’re removing the educational barriers that can stop people from attaining a tertiary qualification.

“Around 42 per cent of students who have studied at the existing Hubs across the country are the first in their family to attend university, which is fantastic to see.”

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

“So far, 16 students have started to use the Onslow facility and are studying courses such as health and science and 19 people have started studying at the Tom Price location.

“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.”