Issues paper: Review of regional loading

[From the DEEWR website]

Regional loading (which totalled $31.2 million in 2009) is paid to eligible higher education providers in recognition of the higher cost of providing places at regional campuses. The 2008 Review of Australian Higher Education highlighted the complexity of issues for regional higher education provision in Australia. The Review made a number of recommendations in response to these issues including that the current system of regional loading under the Commonwealth Grant Scheme be reviewed.

In response, the Australian Government as part of its Transforming Australia’s Higher Education System reform agenda, is examining the cost of providing higher education in regional Australia, in particular the appropriateness of regional loading. The objective of the review of regional loading is to develop options for a new, more logical basis for funding. As part of this review the Government has sought input from key stakeholders through a State-based consultation process, and will also commission research into good practice in regional higher education and the additional cost of providing higher education in regional and remote areas of Australia.

Issues paper

The Australian Government has released an issues paper, The Review of Regional Loading - Issues for Regional Provision, inviting input from the higher education sector, state and territory government agencies, and other stakeholders such as local government and VET bodies, on key matters relating to the provision of quality higher education in regional Australia, with particular reference to funding and the role of regional loading.

DEEWR invites responses to this paper addressing the issues raised and providing relevant evidence regarding the needs of regional areas and the costs of providing higher education, along with examples of good practice with the potential for broader adoption.

Submissions should be lodged by close of business 26 February 2010.

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