The Australian government is launching 10 suburban study hubs to offer free access to academic resources for university and TAFE students, particularly in areas with low university attainment rates. The hubs, announced by Federal Education Minister Jason Clare, aim to make tertiary education more accessible to students in outer suburbs.
Features and Locations
These hubs will provide:
- Free access to computers, high-speed internet, and study spaces.
- Academic, administrative, and wellbeing support.
The first locations include Broadmeadows, Epping, and Melton in Victoria; Macquarie Fields and Kurri Kurri in New South Wales; Armadale, Ellenbrook, and Mandurah in Western Australia; Strathpine in Brisbane; Sorrell in Tasmania; and Elizabeth in South Australia.
This $67 million annual initiative expands on the existing 46 regional hubs, with 15 more set to open by 2025. The new hubs are designed to reduce commuting burdens and support students closer to their homes, fostering higher completion rates for degrees and TAFE courses.
Minister Clare emphasized that these hubs aim to remove barriers to higher education, particularly for students in suburban and regional areas. Assistant Minister Anthony Chisholm highlighted the hubs' success in regional Australia, with 4,500 students already benefiting from similar facilities.
The initiative aligns with the government’s plans to limit international student numbers and invest in domestic education access, reflecting a broader strategy to boost participation in higher education while addressing skill gaps in the Australian workforce.
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