The Albanese Labor Government has announced a new Regional University Study Hub on Norfolk Island bringing university closer to students living in the regions.

The Country Universities Centre on Norfolk is expected to open later this year and will allow students on Norfolk to remain connected with family, friends and local employment while undertaking their studies.

This comes as new data shows a 32 per cent increase in the past year of students using the existing 43 Study Hubs across the country.

The Hub on Norfolk is one of 10 new Study Hubs located across the country that have been announced. Once these open, there will be 56 Regional University Study Hubs located across the country. 

Study Hubs provide student support and campus-style facilities for students who are doing a university degree without having to leave their community. The evidence shows that if students’ study where they live, university participation increases. 

The current 43 Hubs support over 5,200 students, with the most popular courses among students at Regional University Study Hubs are in areas of skills need such as health (34 per cent) and education (17 per cent).

These 10 new Hubs are 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.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“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. 

“That’s why we are doubling the number of University Study Hubs, to bring university closer to them.

“We know they work. The evidence is they increase the number of people going to uni degree. 

“The Hub is bringing university closer to people who live on Norfolk and will encourage more people who otherwise might decide not to go to university at all to give it a crack.”

Quotes attributable to David Smith MP

“Norfolk Island is a 2.5-hour flight to the mainland let alone to a university, so for a community as remote as Norfolk, this is a great outcome.” 

“The new study hub will mean members of all ages on Norfolk will face less barriers to education and will have the opportunity to stay on Island while studying for a tertiary qualification, which is a good thing.”

“I always advocate for improved services to be delivered on Norfolk, and I welcome this announcement by the Government.”

For more information: Regional University Study Hubs - Department of Education, Australian Government