The financial barrier to tertiary education is a recognised human rights issue (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) 2000). Literature confirms that many regional young people cannot access Youth Allowance income support due to stringent eligibility criteria, suggesting causation to low regional tertiary participation.
The Australian Flexible Learning Framework Strategy Stage 2 investigates: women learners in VET; rural and remote learners; isolated learners in metropolitan areas, and the concept of the “digital divide” to determine the extent to which it is a significant factor impeding or facilitating VET provision around Australia.
Students from rural and isolated areas are often neglected as a higher education equity group. Frequently confused with distance education students, rural and isolated students are those whose permanent home address lies within the Rural, Remote and Urban Areas classification specified under the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia, or ARIA.
This paper outlines a diversity training initiative for rural and international students living in residential college at the University of Newcastle. The project was designed to contribute
an inclusive university culture and campus climate that values diversity.
Regional university and TAFE student numbers should increase by more than 50 per cent over the next 15 years under a $103.6 million state government plan.
