New hub for outback access
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The Albanese Government has unveiled a new Regional University Study Hub in Longreach, Queensland.
The new hub, aimed at increasing access to tertiary education in the remote area, is part of a broader $66.9 million investment to set up new hubs nationwide.
Located at the former Pastoral College site, it offers students study spaces, high-speed internet, computers, and wellbeing support.
It will cater to communities in Barcaldine, Blackall, Winton, and beyond.
The program targets the long-standing issue of lower university qualification rates in regional areas.
While nearly half of young Australians achieve university degrees, only 23 per cent of their peers in the Longreach region do the same.
Proponents argue that such hubs could significantly enhance university participation, citing evidence from other regional towns.
“This is all about helping more young people get a first-class education in and around their home towns… This means more young people will learn and live in Longreach and continue to make a big contribution to this community and economy into the future,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers says.
However, questions remain about whether access alone can bridge educational divides.
Critics suggest that regional areas require additional support, including affordable housing for students and targeted mentoring programs, to maximise participation and success rates.
The hub model is part of a push for decentralisation of tertiary education.
Partnering with the Country Universities Centres and the Remote Area Planning and Development Board, the initiative includes plans to establish additional sites by Semester 1, 2025.
Alongside the new hubs and similar projects, addressing systemic challenges - such as teacher shortages and limited local job opportunities - is also critical.
Without these measures, the hubs risk becoming underutilised facilities rather than transformative educational resources.
Further information on the program is accessible here.
