Tertiary education could be coming closer to the Western Plains, with applications open for 10 new Regional University Study Hubs to be established in regional Australia. 

Federal investment into tertiary studies has arrived in response to the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report, which found that Australia has a clear divide when it comes to access to higher education.

According to the report, only 17.3 per cent of people aged over 15 living in low socioeconomic areas, 15.2 per cent of people living in regional and remote Australia, and only 7.4 per cent of First Nations people have a bachelor degree.

“The Accord panel makes it clear that we need more people from the regions and outer suburbs to get a university qualification,” Minister for Education Jason Clare said. 

“Today, almost one in two young people in their 20s and 30s have a university degree. But not everywhere. Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia,” Minister Clare said. 

In the review, study hubs - where people could learn more locally, reducing the challenges of commute and accommodation - were found to be effective at improving student participation, retention and completion rates in regional and remote areas. 

There is no guarantee that Western NSW is due for any more centres.

In NSW, a study from the Department of Education found that 41 per cent of regional students found leaving family and friends was another obstacle for leaving to study. 

As part of an investment to establish up to 20 additional regional study hubs and 14 suburban study hubs, the first round of applications will allow community-owned organisations to apply for funding for 10 regional hubs. 

According to the selection criteria, selection of locations will be based on various factors including the ‘regional needs model’, which considers population growth, Year 10 completion rates, distance to the nearest higher education campus, and enrolment rates. 

For students across the Western Plains, the closest study hubs are in Moree/Narrabri and Parkes. 

Currently, 3,400 are using Regional University Study Hubs, and studying more than 1,000 different courses. 

“The evidence is that where University Study Hubs are, university participation goes up that’s why we will establish up to 20 additional Regional University Study Hubs,” Minister Clare said. 

“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.”

Applications from eligible organisations interested in establishing a hub are now open.