Regional University Study Hubs help students in regional and remote areas of Australia access higher education without having to leave their community.
About the program
The Regional University Study Hubs program takes an innovative approach to improve access to tertiary education for regional and remote students. Regional University Study Hubs provide welcoming study spaces, as well as in-person administrative, academic skills and wellbeing support for students undertaking tertiary study through any Australian institution.
Regional University Study Hubs are not education providers, but are community-driven spaces that offer dedicated study facilities and wrap-around support services which typically include:
- Infrastructure: study spaces, break out areas, video conferencing, computer facilities, high-speed internet access.
- Administrative and academic skills support services: help with enrolment processes, developing writing and research skills, study advice.
- Student support services: general wellbeing support, help accessing student services, supporting students with placements and Work Integrated Learning.
More information about the program is available in the program data infographic, student testimonials, Frequently Asked Questions, and the Regional University Study Hubs Network website.
Regional University Study Hub Locations
You can search for one of the 56 Regional University Study Hubs located across the country using the interactive map on the University Study Hubs webpage. Each Hub’s website provides more information on eligibility and how to register.
You can also download the Regional University Study Hubs Location Map which shows where the 56 Regional University Study Hubs are located across all states and the Northern Territory.
Program objectives
The Regional University Study Hubs program aims to:
- Enable students in rural, regional and remote Australia to access and complete higher education without having to leave their community
- Meet a demonstrated gap in support for study in a regional, rural or remote community
- Support students who wish to stay in their community while they complete their course of study
- Enhance the experience of students studying within their own community
- Encourage strong links between the hubs and other organisations in the area, including other education and support services that students may access and industry
- Complement, rather than replace, existing and planned university investments and activities in regional areas, such as satellite campuses and study centres.
Each hub reflects the community it serves and is established with consideration of the:
- Geographic location of the study hub in relation to the community
- Population size, demographic and cultural needs of the local community
- Local industry and businesses in the area and the skills they need
- Location of local TAFE and VET providers.
Communications content
Access the stakeholder content kit to help you share information about Regional University Study Hubs across your channels. The kit includes ready-to-use text and images for social media, newsletters, and websites.
Additional communications content is available for University Study Hubs and Suburban University Study Hubs.
Funding commitments
Since 2018, over $180 million has been committed to the Regional University Study Hubs program. This has included:
- grant funding to establish and operate the hubs
- Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) to support hub-university partnerships
- implementing a network and central support for all hubs
- an evaluation of the program to inform improvements to the program and hub governance and operation
- undertaking a research project on hub partnerships and how to best support them, particularly hub-university partnerships
- a scoping study to inform the location and selection of future hubs
On 18 July 2023, in response to the Australian Universities Accord Panel’s Interim Report, the Hon Jason Clare MP, Minister for Education, announced $66.9 million to establish more Regional University Study Hubs and expand the concept to the outer suburbs of Australia’s major cities with Suburban University Study Hubs.
Application rounds
- The first cohort of 16 Regional University Study Hubs, located in all states and the Northern Territory, was announced on 12 November 2018.
- The second cohort of 9 further hubs was announced on 1 June 2020. An additional new hub in Wangaratta, Victoria was announced on 18 June 2021.
- The third cohort of 8 hubs was announced in 2022.
- The fourth cohort of 12 hubs was announced on 25 March 2024.
- The fifth cohort of 10 hubs was announced on 3 February 2025.
The most recent application round for the fifth cohort was held between 21 August and 18 October 2024.
For more information about the 2024 round, please see Regional University Study Hubs – 2024 Application Round.
2021 Scoping Study and Regional Needs Model
In 2021, a Scoping Study was undertaken to inform the selection of locations for new/future Regional University Study Hubs. This included the creation of a desktop tool for analysing data on Australian regions to consider their relative need and suitability for a Regional University Study Hub.
For more information, see Regional University Study Hubs Program – Scoping Study and Regional Needs Model.
Related programs
Inspired by the Regional University Study Hubs program, Suburban University Study Hubs address barriers to tertiary education for students living in outer metropolitan and peri-urban areas of Australia.