The Hon Julie Bishop MP - Minister for Education, Science and Training, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues

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Media Release

Expansion of Commonwealth Scholarships

8 May 2007

BUDB 06/07

More Australian students will have the opportunity to obtain a Commonwealth Scholarship, with the 2007-08 Budget providing an increase in the number of scholarships available and extending their coverage.

The number of existing Commonwealth Scholarships (formerly called Commonwealth Learning Scholarships) will be increased from around 8,500 to 12,000 at a cost of $91.4 million over four years. From 1 January 2008 these will be rebadged as Commonwealth Scholarships. Two thousand of the new scholarships will be offered to students who may not otherwise qualify for a higher education place, to study two-year associate degrees as a pathway to full degrees. This is over and above the additional Commonwealth Scholarships being provided to Indigenous students in this budget.

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, said the increase in scholarships provides students from low income backgrounds, particularly those from rural and regional areas, with increased opportunities to go to university.

"Participation rates for students in rural and regional areas been largely unchanged over the last decade. The additional scholarships will provide more help to students who really need it," the Minister said.

The current administrative arrangements for the scholarships will be changed to ensure that scholarships are offered at around the same time students are offered a place. This will help students make better informed decisions about which offer to accept. Scholarship funding will now be paid directly to the student by the Australian Government.

"Commonwealth Scholarships provide opportunities for students to attend university who otherwise may not. The increased number of scholarships will help to build the nation’s skills base for the benefit of our future prosperity," Minister Bishop said.

"This measure is further evidence of the Australian Government’s commitment to making the Higher Education sector more responsive to student demand by making a university degree even more accessible for students."

The initiative is part of the Australian Government’s investment of $222 million to improve access to tertiary education in the 2007-08 Budget package, Realising Our Potential.

Media Contacts

Minister Bishop’s Office: Tory Vidler 0414 228 727

Dept of Education, Science & Training: Virginia Cook 0412 971 323

Non-media queries:
1300 363 079

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

This initiative increases the number of Commonwealth Scholarships for low income students from around 8,500 to 12,000, giving more Australian students an opportunity to attend university.

2,000 Commonwealth Scholarships will be earmarked for two-year associate degrees that provide pathways to full degrees. This provides the student with a chance to attempt university study without committing to a three or four year degree programme.

Who will benefit?

Students from a low socio-economic background, particularly those from rural and regional areas, will benefit from the additional scholarships by improving their opportunity to access a university education.

Australia will benefit with more students being able to access a university education. More graduates will help to increase Australia’s productivity levels, maintaining the economic growth that the nation has enjoyed over the last decade.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

The initiative will cost $91.4 million over four years.

This funding is part of the Australian Government’s $222 million provision to improve access to tertiary education in the 2007-08 Budget Package, Realising Our Potential.

What have we done in the past?

The number of Commonwealth Learning Scholarships was around 8,500 per year.

Universities were not required to offer a scholarship at the same time they offered a university place.

Commonwealth Learning Scholarships were presented to students by universities, not by the Australian Government.

When will the initiative conclude?

This is an ongoing initiative.