MEDIA RELEASE
FUNDING BOOST FOR REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES AND
CAMPUSES
13 May 2003 MINBUD 16A/03
Regional universities and campuses will receive a significant
boost from this Budget through the Government’s higher education
reform package.
The Commonwealth recognises the unique contribution made by
regional higher education institutions and campuses to their local
communities and to students from rural and regional areas. From
2004, the Commonwealth will provide an additional $122.6 million
over four years to support students at regional campuses of public
higher education institutions.
An additional loading will be incorporated into the new
Commonwealth Grant Scheme (CGS) and will be allocated according to a
campus’ regionality as determined by its size and distance from a
mainland capital city.
The loading for institutions will be distributed within four
bands, ranging from 2.5% for larger institutions or those that are
closer to capital cities up to a maximum of 30% for institutions
located in the Northern Territory (see attached table).
Many institutions in regional areas play a role in the economic
and social life of their communities which goes far beyond their
traditional educational activities.
This initiative recognises that universities that provide places
at regional campuses generally face higher costs as a result of
location, size and history.
The measure is part of the Government’s higher education reform
package, Our Universities: Backing Australia’s Future, which will
provide more than $10 billion in new support for higher education
over the next ten years, including an estimated $6.9 billion in
additional funding to the sector and approximately $3.7 billion in
financial assistance to students through new student loans.
Laying the foundation for this ten year vision, approximately
$1.5 billion in additional funding will be invested in higher
education over the next four years.
Regional universities and students will also benefit from new
Commonwealth Learning Scholarships from 2004 to assist rural and
regional, low income and Indigenous students with costs associated
with higher education.
Around 10,000 students from rural and isolated areas, many of
whom are from low income and/or Indigenous backgrounds, move away
from home each year to commence higher education.
In 2004, 1,500 Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS) will
be provided to specifically assist financially disadvantaged
students from regional and rural areas. By 2007, 2,030 scholarships
will be made available. The Scholarships will provide students with
$4,000 per year for up to four years to assist them with
accommodation expenses.
Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships will also be introduced
providing students with $2,000 per year for up to four years to
assist with their educational costs. In 2004, 2,500 scholarships
will be provided, growing to 5,075 by 2007.
A Collaboration and Structural Reform Fund will also be
established for three years from 2005 to foster collaboration and
structural reform in the higher education sector. The Fund will
specifically support initiatives involving collaboration between
universities and their regional communities.
An additional $20 million will be provided for the Fund from
2005.
To respond to the current shortage of nursing places as
identified in the recommendations of the Review of Nursing Education
last year, an additional 210 nursing places, rising to 574 by 2007
as students continue in their courses, will be provided from 2004,
specifically for regional campuses across Australia.
These measures will ensure that that regional universities and
campuses are supported appropriately and that their role is
recognised and valued.
For further information:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Jane Smith 0412 973 411
INDICATIVE LIST OF ELIGIBLE REGIONAL CAMPUSES
This indicative list of eligible regional campuses is based on
the reporting of student places by institutions in 2001. Public
higher education institutions will be given the opportunity to
nominate specific regional campuses for consideration in the
allocation of 2004 funding. Access centres will not be eligible.
|
Institution |
Campus location |
Band (a) |
Loading (b) |
|
Northern Territory University |
Darwin |
1 |
30% |
|
Batchelor College |
Darwin |
|
Southern Cross University |
Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie |
2 |
7.50% |
|
The University of New England |
Armidale |
|
Australian Maritime College |
Launceston |
|
James Cook University |
Mt Isa, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay |
|
University of the Sunshine Coast |
Sippy Downs |
3 |
5% |
|
University of Ballarat |
Horsham and Ballarat |
|
Southern Cross University |
Lismore |
|
Australian Catholic University |
Ballarat |
|
Murdoch University |
Rockingham |
|
University of Tasmania |
Hobart, Launceston and Burnie |
|
University of Southern Queensland |
Hervey Bay |
|
The University of Western Australia |
Geraldton and Albany |
|
Central Queensland University |
Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton, Gladstone and
Bundaberg |
|
Edith Cowan University |
Geraldton and Albany |
|
La Trobe University |
Mildura and Wodonga |
|
Charles Sturt University |
Wagga and Albury |
|
University of South Australia |
Whyalla |
|
Curtin University of Technology |
Kalgoorlie, Geraldton and Albany |
|
Curtin University of Technology |
Northam |
4 |
2.50% |
|
University of Southern Queensland |
Toowoomba |
|
The University of Adelaide |
Roseworthy |
|
Edith Cowan University |
Bunbury |
|
La Trobe University |
Beechworth, Mt Buller, Shepparton and Bendigo |
|
Deakin University |
Warrnambool and Geelong |
|
Charles Sturt University |
Bathurst and Goulburn |
|
RMIT |
Hamilton and Bairnsdale |
|
The University of Queensland |
Gatton |
|
The University of Melbourne |
Dookie |
|
The University of Sydney |
Orange |
|
Monash University |
Gippsland |
| (a) |
Band 1: Campus located in the Northern Territory;
Band 2: Campus is more than 300 km from a mainland capital city
and has fewer than 10,000 EFTSU;
Band 3: Campus is either more than 300 km from a mainland capital
city or has fewer than 10,000 EFTSU;
Band 4: Campus is neither more than 300 km from a mainland
capital city or has fewer than 10,000 EFTSU. |
| (b) |
Loadings may vary in future years according to the actual
numbers of students at eligible regional campuses of public higher
education institutions. |
http://www.backingaustraliasfuture.gov.au
Department of
Education, Science and Training Budget at a Glance - Higher
Education
|
