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Media Release
561 UNIVERSITY PLACES ALLOCATED TO NORTHERN TERRITORY
2 July, 2004 MIN 786NT/04
The allocation today of an additional 561 Commonwealth-supported places will enable hundreds more students to study with Charles Darwin University by 2008.
These places will support around 800 more students to study in HECS places in NT universities by 2008.
The places have been allocated from the 25,000 provided through the Australian Government’s $2.6 billion higher education reform package, Our Universities: Backing Australia’s Future and from 1,200 places allocated to nursing with a focus on aged care.
Nationally, the Australian Government will deliver more than 35,000 places to institutions by 2008:
- approx. 25,000 new fully supported places to replace those in the system that currently attract only marginal funding;
- 745 new places for the ‘national priority’ areas of teaching and nursing for private higher education providers;
- approximately 1,200 new nursing places with a focus on aged care;
- 574 new nursing places for regional campuses;
- 1,218 new medical places; and
- 6,700 new places to support population growth.
These places will enable 50,000 Australians to take up a HECS place over the next five years.
Charles Darwin University will receive 561 places for its Casuarina and Alice Springs campuses by 2008.
The new places will be provided across a range of disciplines. More than 20 places (4%) will be provided for nursing by 2008 and more than 40 places (7%) for teaching. Over 40 places (7%) will be provided for science and almost 50 places (9%) will be directed to health-related areas, including nursing.
NT institutions and students will also benefit from other elements of the reform package, including:
- an increase, from this month, in the HECS repayment threshold from $25,348 to $35,000, immediately benefiting around 185,000 Australians;
- $838 million in additional base funding;
- $146 million to support regional campuses;
- $160 million to support the practical component of teaching and nursing programmes;
- $327 million in scholarships to assist students with their education and accommodation costs;
- $325 million to support teaching and learning in universities, including a new National Institute;
- additional opportunities for students to attend university through fee-paying places once HECS places are filled. Fee-paying students, in both public and private institutions, will now have access to a loan of up to $50,000 through the new FEE-HELP loan scheme to support them through their study;
- a new OS-HELP loan scheme which will support students in HECS places to undertake a semester or two studying overseas;
- more than $100 million to support a range of equity initiatives, including funding for indigenous students, students with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds;
- $83 million to support workplace productivity in universities; and
- $36 million to support collaboration and structural reform.
Media contact:
Dr Nelson’s Office Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
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