A new Regional University Study Hub officially opened today in South Australia's Victor Harbor region, bringing university closer in the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Nearly half of young people in Australia have a university qualification but not in regional and remote Australia. In Victor Harbor, only around 18 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 Fleurieu Regional University Study Hub is part of the Albanese Government's $66.9 million investment to double the number of University Study Hubs across the country.
This will see the establishment of up to 20 new Regional University Study Hubs, and up to 14 new Suburban University Study Hubs in the outer suburbs of our major cities.
The Study Hubs provide spaces to support students, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds and First Nations students.
Quotes attributable to Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie MP:
"Since my election in 2016 I have been a vocal advocate for regional study hubs to provide students with extra support. The opening of the Fleurieu Study Hub is a significant win for the South Coast community.
"I am grateful to Minister Clare for engaging with me about the unique challenges faced by our young people on the South Coast, particularly in relation to challenges posed by living so far from our metro university campuses.
"This Study Hub will improve tertiary education attainment in our region, removing barriers faced by locals in completing this level of study.
"Members of the Mayo community have shared with me that cost, commuting or moving permanently to Adelaide, leaving family, an absence of suitable study space or internet access at home, lack of support and economic disadvantage all contribute to students' capacity to obtain tertiary qualifications.
"In my conversations with students, I have been told that while virtual access to education serves a purpose, in isolation it is insufficient. As such, I am confident the additional supports provided by a Regional Study Hub will improve retention and success rates.
"For students living in Victor Harbor their commute is currently 160kms return to go to universities in the city. This Study Hub will allow students to spend more of their time studying and working and less time travelling, improving education outcomes."
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.
"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 and that's why we're doubling them right across the country.
"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, 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 Victor Harbor, 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, as someone who was the first in their family to attend university, this is fantastic to see."
