The Liberal and Nationals Government will establish a new Regional University Centre in the Wheatbelt region to offer local students the support and modern facilities they need to undertake tertiary education.
Our Government’s Regional University Centres program removes barriers for regional and remote students to access quality education opportunities and is an important step towards changing the narrative for our students. We strongly believe that all Australians should have access to a quality tertiary education, regardless of where they live.
This Centre will deliver an innovative cluster model to provide tailored support to students at four dedicated sites across the broader Wheatbelt region in Narrogin, Merredin, Wongan Hils and York.
The Centre will be operated by Regional Development Australia Wheatbelt Incorporated and is one of eight new centres that will be established around Australia as part of an investment of up to $14.8 million.
The new centres will complement the existing 26 centres currently operating in all Australian states and the Northern Territory under the $102 million Regional University Centres program.
Minister for Regional Education, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the new centre was an exciting development for the Wheatbelt region.
“This centre will significantly boost higher education outcomes for the people of the Wheatbelt region,” Minister McKenzie said.
“People in regional Australia are less than half as likely to complete a university degree compared with people in cities. Regional University Centres are helping communities across Australia to reverse this trend.
“It is wonderful that once this centre is up and running local students won’t need to leave home and relocate to study. They will be able to enrol in a university course and complete a degree or another tertiary qualification and their skills could stay in the region and help the community.
“The new centre has the potential to change education outcomes in the Wheatbelt area for the benefit of future generations, which is part of the Liberal and National Government’s plan for a stronger future.
“Our Government is investing almost $20 billion in higher education in 2022 – this is 32 per cent higher than under Labor. “Regional University Centres supported more than 2400 students across Australia in 2021 to undertake further education, many of them who would never have considered this if it wasn’t for these facilities.
“A student’s ability to access a high-quality education should not be determined by their postcode.
The Nationals WA candidate for Durack, Ian Blayney welcomed the announcement and said the Centres are a key component to the Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment to improving higher education participation and attainment in regional and remote Australia.
“Regional University Centres provide study spaces, video conferencing, computer facilities and internet access, as well as administrative, academic and wellbeing support for students studying via distance at any Australian university or vocational education and training provider”.
The Narrogin, Wongan Hills and Merredin sites will open in the second half of 2022, with the York site to open in early 2023.
