Release type: Joint Media Release

Date:

Regional Australia to get 10 new University Study Hubs

Ministers:

The Hon Jason Clare MP
Minister for Education
Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm
Assistant Minister for Education
Assistant Minister for Regional Development
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

The Albanese Labor Government today announced the locations of 10 new Regional University Study Hubs across the country, bringing university closer to students living in the regions.

This comes as new data shows a 32 per cent increase in the past year of students using the existing 43 Study Hubs across the country.

The new 10 new Regional University Study Hubs are:

  • Clermont and Moranbah, QLD
  • Hughenden, QLD 
  • Hay, NSW
  • Tumut, NSW
  • Northam, WA
  • Kununurra, WA
  • Kangaroo Island, SA
  • Hamilton, VIC
  • St Helens, TAS 
  • Burnt Pine, Norfolk Island.

The 10 new Hubs are expected to be operational from mid-2025. 

Once these open, there will be 56 Regional University Study Hubs located across the country. 

43 of these Hubs are open and another 3 expected to open by Semester 1, 2025. There are also 10 Suburban University Study Hubs that are expected to be operational by mid-2025.

Study Hubs provide student support and campus-style facilities for students who are doing a university degree without having to leave their community. 

The evidence shows that where they are, university participation increases. 

The current 43 Hubs support over 5,200 students, with the most popular courses among students at Regional University Study Hubs are in areas of skills need such as health (34 per cent) and education (17 per cent).

These 10 new Hubs are part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to double the number of University Study Hubs across Australia.

This announcement builds on the first round of new Regional University Study Hubs announced last year, which are located in:

  • East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
  • Victor Harbor, South Australia
  • Warwick, Queensland
  • Chinchilla, Queensland
  • Innisfail, Queensland
  • King Island, Tasmania
  • Katanning, Western Australia
  • The Pilbara (Tom Price and Onslow), Western Australia
  • Central Western Queensland (Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall, Winton, Boulia, Bedourie, Birdsville and Jundah)
  • East Gippsland (Mallacoota, Orbost, Omeo, Heyfield and Yarram), Victoria

The Government also provided additional funding to two existing Regional University Study Hubs located in:

  • Cowra, New South Wales
  • Mudgee, New South Wales

The new University Study Hubs are part of the Government’s response to the Universities Accord.

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 in their 20s and their 30s have a university degree. But not everywhere. Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia. 

“That’s why we are doubling the number of University Study Hubs, to bring university closer to them.

“We know they work. The evidence is they increase the number of people going to uni degree. 

“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 Anthony Chisholm:

“Each time we open a new hub in a regional, rural or remote community, we’re removing an educational barrier that can stop people from getting a tertiary qualification.

“These 10 new locations will mean more young people in the regions have the opportunity to stay in their communities and near their support networks while studying a tertiary qualification.”