Another round of the successful program which offers students $15,000 a year to study and live in regional Australia will be funded by the NSW Nationals in the federal government.
The Destination Australia Program will provide more opportunities for domestic and international students to study in regional centres in 2023.
From May 26, 2022, eligible tertiary education providers can apply for funding to offer scholarships to domestic and international students to study and live in regional Australia.
Federal Nationals Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, Senator Bridget McKenzie, said the Destination Australia Program is a great way to encourage more students to take up opportunities to study in regional Australia, and the opening of international borders will see increasing numbers of international students return to Australia throughout the year.
“Since its launch in 2020, Destination Australia has supported more than 1,800 scholarship recipients, pumping more than $76 million into our regional economies and this fourth round of funding will support around 480 new student scholarship recipients,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Because of this program, more students – both domestic and international – are getting the chance to experience the academic, cultural and lifestyle benefits of living and studying on a regional campus.
“These regional communities will also benefit significantly from having more students living, working, and studying in their locations – so it is a win-win.”
Federal Nationals member for Cowper Pat Conaghan MP said the Destination Australia Program has already supported 76 scholarships with Southern Cross University since 2020.
“I encourage students, whether from a capital city or from overseas, who are planning to commence studies next year, to consider a regional tertiary education experience and take advantage of the financial support available through the Program.
“Destination Australia scholarships are valued at up to $15,000 per student per year, for up to four years, and will be available to students undertaking studies ranging from a Certificate IV through to a PhD,” Mr Conaghan said.
Southern Cross University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Carlin, welcomed the announcement of a further Destination Australia scholarships round.
“Our University has benefited enormously from the $4.73 million distributed to Southern Cross students through prior rounds of the Destination Australia scheme, and we know that with further four-year scholarships on offer we can attract even more metropolitan based students to study at our vibrant regional campuses in Lismore and Coffs Harbour”.
The program contributes to the sustainability and growth of regional Australian communities, through supporting tertiary education providers, and facilitating domestic and international students to pursue qualifications in regional Australia.
For more information, visit www.dese.gov.au/destination-australia
