La Trobe University has unveiled a five-year Regional Growth and Innovation Strategy designed to boost educational access and economic development across four of Victoria’s key regional centres: Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga and Mildura.
With a goal to grow enrolments at four times the pace of the domestic regional student population, the plan sets out to shrink the participation gap in higher education between city and country by a third before the end of the decade. It also includes new investment in short courses, co-located industry partnerships and community infrastructure aimed at ensuring that students in regional Victoria are not left behind.
La Trobe’s Chancellor, John Brumby, said the strategy aligned with the broader national objective set out in the Universities Accord, which targets 55% higher education participation by 2050.
“Fewer than 20 per cent of regional, rural and remote Australians attend university,” said Brumby. “If Australia is serious about meeting the 55 per cent goal, we need to bring regional students with us. That’s what this strategy is all about—practical steps, bold goals, and real support for students and communities.”
La Trobe’s regional campuses are situated in areas that collectively house over 650,000 people. According to Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell, these communities contributed over $25.7 billion in gross added value in 2023, driven by sectors including healthcare, agriculture, and social services.
“Education, health and agriculture are not just areas of need—they’re also areas of potential,” said Professor Farrell. “Our work through research and industry partnerships aims to boost job creation and deepen the talent pool, while making it easier for students to stay in their communities while they study.”
Among the key goals of the strategy:
- Growing regional enrolments to 6,700 EFTSL by 2030, a 60% increase from 2024 levels;
- Doubling co-located industry partners from eight to sixteen;
- Offering 1,000 new scholarships for on-campus and hybrid study;
- Expanding short courses and micro-credentials tailored to local industry;
- Increasing usage of campus facilities by local community groups;
- Strengthening alumni mentorship for regional students.
The university also plans to further scale its online offerings, which have grown by 130% since 2019. These courses are seen as a practical solution for many regional students unable to relocate or travel frequently.
Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor for Regional, Elizabeth Capp, emphasised La Trobe’s place-based approach, pointing to $73 million already invested in modern teaching and health infrastructure in the regions.
“We’re not just building campuses—we’re building ecosystems,” said Capp. “Through partnerships with organisations like Deloitte, Agriculture Victoria, and the Bendigo Tech School, we’re embedding ourselves in the regional economy and making sure our research and teaching aligns with local need.”
This collaborative approach is already delivering tangible results. Deloitte’s Managing Partner for Victoria, Ian Trevorah—himself a La Trobe graduate—said the firm’s Digital Operations Delivery Centre, located at the Bendigo campus, was a direct example of regional capability-building in action.
“Technology skills are in short supply across Australia, especially outside the major cities,” said Trevorah. “La Trobe’s vision helps address that gap while giving students a clear path to high-value employment right where they live.”
Personal stories like that of Kate Alday, a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Medical) student from Sea Lake, bring the policy targets to life. Alday moved from her Mallee hometown to Bendigo to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor in a rural setting.
“Growing up on a farm, you learn resilience,” she said. “But you also see how hard it is to get consistent, quality healthcare. This strategy isn’t theoretical—it’s about making sure someone like me can train, qualify and give back without needing to leave the bush behind.”
La Trobe’s Nexus teaching pathway, its fully online MBA, and the Rural Medical Pathway are already helping students like Alday stay connected to home while acquiring the skills needed to contribute locally.
As the state’s regional towns face dual challenges of youth outmigration and workforce shortages in critical sectors, La Trobe’s plan may offer more than just an education policy—it could be a catalyst for population renewal, economic recovery and long-term retention of professional talent outside the capital.
Whether the targets are met will depend on ongoing government support, stable funding and a genuine appetite for collaboration between sectors. But if the ambition holds, La Trobe could very well rewrite the map of who gets to go to university—and where they get to stay afterwards.
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🎓@latrobe launches 5-yr plan to boost regional education in #Bendigo #Shepparton #AlburyWodonga #Mildura.🏫Targets 60% enrolment growth by 2030 & doubles industry partnerships.💡Aims to close city-country education gap wt localised courses. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/qNDjfKT8B6
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