Today the Treasurer and Assistant Minister for Education opened a new Regional University Study Hub in Longreach, funded by the Albanese Labor Government.
This is all about helping more young people get a great education closer to home, so they can secure a well‑paid and rewarding job and get ahead.
The Longreach space will serve as a central study hub for students across the state’s Central West at Barcaldine, Blackall, Winton, Boulia, Bedourie, Birdsville and Jundah.
The new de‑centralised model, which has been made possible through a partnership between the Australian Government, Country Universities Centres (CUC) and the Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD), will adopt a multi‑site approach with each connected site tailored to the needs of its local community.
This new model will provide a range of support services to students so they can stay in their community, including study spaces, computers, high speed internet access and wellbeing support.
Nearly half of young people in Australia have a university qualification, but not in regional and remote areas, with only 23 per cent of young people holding a degree in the Longreach area alone.
Regional University Study Hubs were identified in the Australian Universities Accord Interim Report as an effective way to change this trend, with evidence showing towns with a hub recording an increase in university participation.
The Longreach hub is located in the town’s old Pastoral College site, with the other sites under the new model expected to open by Semester 1, 2025, to align with the commencement of the 2025 academic year.
This new hub is part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to double the number of University Study Hubs across Australia, and builds on the recent announcement of the first 10 Suburban University Study Hubs, located in outer metropolitan areas.
Further information on the program, including a list of funded hubs, is available on the Department of Education website.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers MP
“This is all about helping more young people get a first‑class education in and around their home towns.
“Whether you live in Western Queensland, Western Australia or the western suburbs of Sydney, we’re making it easier for students to study so they get the skills they need for the future.
“This means more young people will learn and live in Longreach and continue to make a big contribution to this community and economy into the future.
“Our economic plan is all about helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn and improving education outcomes is an important part of that.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare MP
“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.
“That’s why we’re doubling the number of University Study Hubs to bring university closer to those in the regions and those in the suburbs.
“We’re building a better and fairer education system for all Australians and establishing more University Study Hubs will help us achieve that goal.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm
“People living in regional, rural and remote Australia are almost half as likely to obtain a university qualification compared to those living in our cities and that needs to change.
“Each time we open a new hub, just like this one in Longreach, we’re removing the educational barriers that can stop people from getting a tertiary qualification.
“Regional University Study Hubs open up the doors of opportunity for young people to get an education closer to home.”
