New University Study Hub for East Arnhem Land

The Albanese Labor Government will establish a new Regional University Study Hub in East Arnhem Land, bringing university closer to students living in the regions.

The new Garrthalala Bush University Study Hub will allow students to stay on country while they study.

The new Hub is based on the successful Wuyagiba Study Hub model and will be operated by the Laynhapuy Homelands Aboriginal Corporation in close partnership with Macquarie University. 

The Wuyagiba Study Hub and Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation hub are already operating and the evidence shows that where there are existing Study Hubs, university participation and completion goes up. 

The new East Arnhem Land Hub is one of ten new Study Hubs the Australian Government is establishing across the country.

There are currently 34 existing Regional University Study Hubs located across the country, including two others in the Territory. In response to the Universities Accord Interim Report, the Government will double the number of University Study Hubs across Australia. 

We will invest $66.9 million to establish 20 more Regional University Study Hubs, and up to 14 new Suburban University Study Hubs in the outer suburbs of our major cities.

Today’s announcement is for the first new 10 Regional University Study Hubs. 

Applications for the next 10 and for the 14 Suburban University Study Hubs (SUSHs) will open in coming months.

The current 34 Hubs support more than 3,400 students, studying more than 1,000 different courses, through more than 200 tertiary education providers.

They provide spaces to support students, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds, First Nations students and people with disability.

The new Garrthalala Bush University Study Hub is expected to be open to students later this year. 

Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:

“This announcement is great news for people living in East Arnhem Land. It means people can study on-country without the added cost and burden of travelling interstate. These can be real barriers for our people to getting a quality education”.

“Having a study hub in East Arnhem Land means more local people will get the qualifications to fill local jobs, which are otherwise filled by workers from interstate”.

Quotes attributable to Australian Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“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. 

“The Universities Accord 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.  

“The evidence is that where University Study Hubs are, university participation goes up that’s why we’re announcing 10 new Regional University Study Hubs and there’s more to come.

“Bringing university closer to where you live will encourage more people who otherwise might decide not to go to university at all to give it a crack.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm:

“People from regional, rural and remote Australia are almost half as likely to obtain a university degree compared to their peers living in our cities. 

“The expansion of the Regional University Study Hub network will remove barriers for more students so they can access a high-quality tertiary education.

“These hubs create a campus-like environment where students can access support, the latest technology and be part of an engaging learning environment to help them achieve their academic goals, without having to leave their community.

“Every student deserves to have access to a world-class education no matter who they are or where they live. The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring access to Australia’s universities is fairer and more equitable.”