New Suburban University Study Hub site opens in Melbourne’s north

A new Suburban University Study Hub site has officially opened in Epping today as part of the Northern Study Hub.

Together with the earlier opening of the Northern Study Hub in Broadmeadows, the Epping site brings university closer for students living in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Nearly half of young Australians have a degree, but not in Epping where only around 36.2 per cent of young people have a degree.

The evidence shows that where Study Hubs are, university participation goes up.

The new site of the Northern Study Hub is located at the Melbourne Polytechnic Epping Campus Library. It will provide support and facilities closer to home for students who are studying at university or undertaking Vocational Education and Training.

The new location is part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment which will more than double the number of University Study Hubs across the country. It is the second site to open under the Northern Study Hub, operated by La Trobe University. The first site is located in the Hume City Council offices in Broadmeadows.

For more information: Suburban University Study Hubs - Department of Education, Australian Government

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare:

“Almost one in two young people in their 20s and their 30s have a university degree today. But not everywhere. Not in our outer suburbs and not in regional Australia.

“That’s why we are doubling the number of University Study Hubs, to bring university closer to them.

“We know they work. The evidence is they increase the number of people going to uni in areas where they are established.

“Now for the first time, we are putting these University Study Hubs in the outer suburbs.

“I know growing up in Western Sydney, a lot of my friends felt like university was somewhere else for someone else.

“I want this to change, and that means bringing university closer to where people live like Epping.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training and Member for Scullin, Andrew Giles:

“The Epping Study Hub will open up learning opportunities and new pathways, including for students who might be the first in their family to pursue tertiary education.

“It means more students – younger students and mature-age students too – from the northern suburbs can attend university or TAFE to gain the skills, training and confidence they need to succeed in their future careers.”

Quotes attributable to La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell:

“To meet the tertiary education needs of Melbourne’s rapidly expanding northern suburbs, La Trobe is committed to working with community partners, like Melbourne Polytechnic, to enable young people to participate, grow and succeed in higher education.”

ENDS