CQUniversity leads nation in uni access for low-income students
New data from Australia’s Department of Education shows CQUniversity is welcoming the highest proportion of low-income students, ensuring that economic disadvantage doesn’t shut people out of higher education.
The figures, published by the Sydney Morning Herald, showed 43 per cent of CQUniversity’s undergraduate students were from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds in 2022.
That’s compared to just 16.22 per cent of undergraduate students nationally – while 13 Australian universities, all urban-based, have just 10 per cent or lower low-socioeconomic background students.
CQUniversity Vice-President for Student Success Professor Jonathan Powles said the figures highlighted how regional universities were "doing the heavy lifting" in providing equitable and inclusive higher education.
“CQUniversity is absolutely proud to be leading Australia in serving students and regions that face significant disadvantage,” he said.
“We know it’s not a level playing field for people who want to access higher education in our nation, and the data again highlights that people doing it tough, and people from the regions, aren’t being supported evenly by Australia’s universities.”
The 2023 Australian Good Universities Guide (GUG) ratings named CQUniversity as number one in Australia for social equity, for the fifth consecutive year.
It also highlighted that 49 per cent of CQUniversity students were the first in their families to attend university.
“Regional universities, and CQUniversity in particular, are doing the heavy lifting when it comes to ensuring all Australians can access quality higher education, and changing lives,” he said.
“It’s so important to provide access that is supportive and inclusive because students from those backgrounds are also doing heavy lifting!
“Often they’re mature-aged, they’re managing their study around work, they’re not relying on the bank of mum and dad, they have family commitments.
“I’m thinking of one student I’ve met who took eight years to achieve her undergrad degree, she did it around full-time work and raising her children in regional Australia. She faced a relationship breakdown in that time and was single parenting – but her determination to improve her situation was incredible, and the higher education sector must recognise those extra challenges, and make sure all Australians can access local, supportive opportunities to thrive.
"The Department of Education data reflects the University's belief that higher education should be for everyone – no matter their postcode or educational background."
Late last month, the Australian Universities Accord Panel presented its Final Report to the Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP.
The Panel, appointed by the Federal Government to make recommendations for a higher education system that meets the current and future needs of the nation, made 47 recommendations for change, in consultation with the sector and industry.
“I’m so pleased that around the Accord negotiations, the Federal Government has started to recognise it’s not an equal playing field for aspiring uni students, and providing opportunities to students from disadvantaged backgrounds has to be a national priority,” Professor Powles said.
“CQUniversity is looking forward to sitting down with the Minister and working out the details on that – and we owe it to all Australians to make those pathways accessible, inclusive and supportive, no matter where a student lives, or what their background is.”
