Geraldton Universities Centre’s call backed in Federal report helping secure $66.9m for more study hubs

A submission from Geraldton Universities Centre has played a part in a funding decision by the Albanese Government to invest $66.9 million to double the number of university study hubs in Australia. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare delivered the interim report on July 19, which supported the “universal learning entitlement” — a suggestion GUC made in its submission — which would provide all regional students with a Commonwealth-supported place at university. The report found the claim that “one in two young Australians have a university degree” rang true, but not for the regions. “I want more young people from the outer suburbs and the regions to get a crack at going to university, and this will help,” Mr Clare said. “A lot of Australians in their 20s and 30s have a university degree, but not in the outer suburbs, and not in the regions.” The report found Australia would need an additional 900,000 Commonwealth-supported university students by 2050 to meet its workforce needs, and indicated the labour market demanded an additional 490,000 people with higher education qualifications in 2022. Since its inception, GUC has contributed 517 skilled graduates to the workforce. GUC director Natalie Nelmes said: “This is what GUC has been all about for the past 20 years, supporting local people to complete their degree locally, providing a professional workforce for our region.” “Apart from providing the study facilities and general student supports of smaller hubs, GUC also offers face-to-face, academically supported courses locally. This additional course-specific academic support is a particularly important equity measure in regional WA and SA where regionally headquartered universities do not exist.” The report detailed five priority actions, including creating more regional university centres and establishing similar facilities in the outer suburbs, as well as stopping the rule that requires students to achieve an average grade of 50 per cent to pass a unit. Thanks to GUC’s submission, made in February, the Albanese Government will establish up to 20 new regional university study hubs (formerly regional university centres) and up to 14 new suburban university study hubs in addition to the 32 existing centres. The funding will establish the 34 new hubs in areas without a significant physical university campus and where the percentage of the population with university qualifications is low, but the locations are yet to be determined. The hubs will provide computer facilities, internet and study spaces, as well as in-person administrative and academic skills support for students undertaking study at any Australian institution.