Education Minister Jason Clare has expanded the study hubs program to suburban sites, with ten announced across the country.
There are also ten new regional hubs, bringing the total to 46.
Study Hubs “provide student support and campus-style facilities” close to home, for TAFE and university students studying online, Mr Clare said.
There is no mention in Mr Clare’s announcement whether students at private providers are eligible.
The program has evolved from a Coalition creation, itself based on recommendations in a 2016 Senate committee report. It is distinct from the community-based country university centres in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
The criteria for the new outer urban study hubs is areas “without a significant university campus” and few graduates.
Mr Clare argues that lifting university participation by people from outer suburbs and regions is necessary to meet the target for 80% of the workforce with a postschool qualification by 2050.
“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,” he said.
The announcement is in line with Mr Clare’s commitment to university-preparation programs, (now “Fee-Free Uni Ready Courses”), on equity and national skills grounds – both Accord recommendations.
At $70m for the hubs and $350 over four years for enabling places, both make for low-cost, high-impact equity announcements.
