- Posted on 4 Mar 2026
The Australian Government’s Department of Education has announced an additional $4.6 million in funding for the continuation and expansion of the Study Hubs In Place (SHIP) program.
Formerly known as the Eastern Australian Regional University Centre Partnership, SHIP supports Regional University Study Hubs (RUSH) and universities to develop sustainable partnerships and deliver community-led widening participation activities that nurture the aspirations of underrepresented Australians to pursue tertiary education. It is co-led by Study Hubs Australia and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Up to 8 new Regional University Study Hubs from across Australia will join the program, while the 12 existing hubs will continue deepening their widening participation efforts alongside universities, TAFE and community partners.
Tanya Lehmann, Chair of Study Hubs Australia, is delighted that more regional communities can develop solutions to their local challenges.
‘Regional communities know what will work in their own places, and they should be in the driver’s seat. SHIP backs communities to lead their own change, building strong local partnerships and opening up new pathways into tertiary education.’
Sonal Singh, Head of Equity Pathways at UTS, echoes this sentiment.
‘Too often geography determines opportunity. SHIP is helping regional communities build their own pathways into tertiary education so that where someone lives does not determine their future.’
The expansion represents the growing confidence in the impact and effectiveness of RUSH and collaboration with universities across Australia.
‘SHIP is grounded in the principles of sharing, collaboration and reciprocity. By openly sharing programs and knowledge across study hubs and tertiary partners, we can expand access to tertiary education in regional Australia,“ said Danielle Keenan, co-CEO of Study Hubs Australia.
‘Building off the success of the program, Study Hubs Australia is striving for all study hubs to be designing and delivering community-led widening participation activities by 2030.’
SHIP is funded by the Australian Government through the Regional Partnership Project Pool Program (RPPPP). With the approved extension, the total project value is now $10,883,711.
Study Hubs Australia is a not-for-profit charity that works alongside communities, universities, and governments to create local pathways to tertiary education through the community-led study hub model.
It is focused on embedding study hubs as an enduring and effective part of Australia's tertiary education system, so access to tertiary education is not limited by where people live.