THE HON KRISTY MCBAIN MP
MEMBER FOR EDEN-MONARO
Studying closer to home in Goulburn looks better than ever, with the new premises of the Country Universities Centre (CUC) on Bourke Street officially opened this week by Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain MP.
Since CUC Goulburn first opened in 2018, it has become a valuable resource for young adults and mature-age students to gain qualifications locally, supporting them to continue working in this region.
CUC Goulburn serves over 200 local students, nearly half of whom are the first in their families to attend TAFE or university.
This new location will allow the Centre to reach even more locals, helping them gain qualifications in priority areas such as nursing, health, and teaching – fields that benefit not only the students, but this entire region.
While nearly half of young people in their 20s and 30s hold a university degree, this is not the case in many of our regional areas.
That is why the Albanese Government is delivering more support for students, and expanding regional study opportunities.
This includes $66.9 million to double the number of University Study Hubs across the country, including 20 in regional areas.
The Government will also support teaching, nursing, and social work students manage the cost of their mandatory placements, with $319.50 per week available to eligible students during their prac, from July 2025.
Wiping $3 billion in student debt, cutting a further 20 per cent from all student loans, and lifting repayment thresholds will also benefit students in the Goulburn region.
The Government will also make fee-free TAFE permanent, building on more than 508,000 enrolments already supported by this program, including over 127,000 people in our regions.
Quotes attributable to Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:
“As someone that had to relocate from home to attend university, I know how important it is for people to have access to local study opportunities, because your postcode shouldn’t stand in the way of your future.
“CUC Goulburn has already made a huge impact in this region, with this new space to support more students to gain qualifications in priority areas close to home, so that they can continue working locally.
“The Albanese Government is committed to making education more accessible and equitable for people outside of our big cities, with our significant reforms and funding increases to remove study barriers for people in the Goulburn region.”
Quotes attributable to Goulburn Country Universities Centre Manager, Isabella Lesslie:
“We are a very proud regional university study hub. Most of our local students choose to stay in the area, to work in the area, and to bring the benefits of their education to our area – and, in doing so they are taking up much-needed positions in our community.
“Facilities like this help build our community and are part of the growth of Goulburn. They are a local solution to a regional problem – access to higher education.”
