VET News

Enabling Regional Student Aspirations

The Australian Government’s Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program provides $7.1 million over three years for the delivery of collaborative outreach programs that support the higher education aspirations of students in regional communities.

Minister for Regional Education Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the program responds to the Napthine Review, which found students from regional areas were often disincentivised from pursuing university or other studies.

“There is no easy or quick fix to the barriers many students face in accessing higher education, which is why we are funding innovative proposals that will directly involve regional communities themselves,” Minister McKenzie said. “The program will fund universities, Regional University Centres, vocational education and training providers, schools and community groups to collaborate on tailored approaches that support the best possible outcomes for our students.  I encourage applicants to think outside the box and explore new ways to engage with regional communities in order to meet the needs of their students, and to make the most of any existing connections between community groups and education providers.”

Applications for Phase 1 will close on 14 March 2022.

More information is available at www.dese.gov.au/rpppp.

See full Ministers' Media Centre release here.

Date posted Feb 17, 2022