Footnotes

Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        See Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [Provisions], October 2009.

Chapter 2 - Secondary School Education in Rural and Regional Australia

[1]        The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers, Submission 685, p. 1. Emphasis in original.

[2]        Submission 680, p.1. See also Mr Kevin Wager, Principal, Ingham State High School, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 65 explaining to the committee that his school performs above the state average for high schools.

[3]        Mr Gary Downsborough, Principal, Broome Senior High School and representative of Australian Secondary Principals Association, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, pp 76-77.

[4]        Submission 264, p. 5.

[5]        Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, pp 3 and 5. See also Ms Bronwyn Stubbs, President of the Australasian Association of Distance Education Schools, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 19, who told the committee that Victoria has 500-plus secondary students enrolled in distance education in Years 7 to 10, with a significant component of those being due to medical reasons, either physical or social and emotional.

[6]        Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, pp 2-3.

[7]        Submission 627, Attachment B, pp 2-3.

[8]        Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 18.

[9]        Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 6.

[10]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 6.

[11]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 46.

[12]      Submission 627, pp 1-2.

[13]      Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, pp 17-18.

[14]      Submission 407, p. 1.

[15]      Mrs Jeanette De Landgrafft, Submission 565, p. 1. See also Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Western Australia, Submission 443, p. 3.

[16]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, pp 7-8.

[17]      Submission 292, p. 4.

[18]      Submission 250, Attachment (Supplementary Submission), p. 2.

[19]      Submission 744, p. 7.

[20]      Submission 744, p. 8.

[21]      Submission 264, p. 3.

[22]      Submission 490, p. 2.

[23]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 11. See also the Remote Area Planning and Development Board, Submission 695, p. 9, which quotes from a study (M. Alston and J. Kent, Centre for Rural Social Research, Charles Sturt University, The impact of drought on secondary education access in Australia's rural and remote areas – report to the Department of Education, Science and Training and the rural education program of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, 2006) which noted that students were being held back from boarding school when they reach high school and are either attending a hostel or continuing with Distance Education.

[24]      Submission 235, p. 6.

[25]      Submission 555, p. 7. See also the Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Australia which indicated that another alternative where the local school could not offer an appropriate education for a student is the entire family relocating, Submission 264, p. 3.

[26]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 29. In answers to questions on notice, Professor Pegg provided the committee with further information to explain the definitions of metropolitan, provincial, remote and very remote used in this analysis, see Professor John Pegg, answer to questions on notice, 2 September 2009 (received 10 October 2009).

[27]      National Centre of Science, Information and Communications Technology, and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR National Centre), University of New England, The SiMERR National Survey, 2006, p. 24.

[28]      SiMERR National Centre, University of New England, The SiMERR National Survey, p. 8.

[29]      Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Emerging Issues: National Inquiry into Rural and Remote Education, March 2000, p. 8.

[30]      Victorian Farmers Federation, Submission 747, p. 6.

[31]      The Australian Government, Quality Education: the case for an Education Revolution in our schools, 27 August 2008, p. 18, launched by the Prime Minister the Hon. Kevin Rudd and Deputy Prime Minster the Hon. Julia Gillard at the National Press Club. Available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Resources/Pages/QualityEducation-ThecaseforanEducationRevolutioninourSchools.aspx, accessed 26 November 2009.

[32]      Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 67.

[33]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 57.

[34]      Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 8.

[35]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 11. The Western Australian Department of Education and Training also allocates additional teaching places to schools, depending on the size of the school, to accommodate for the fact that the schools can not necessarily attract the numbers of teachers required to run a comprehensive program throughout the school.

[36]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, pp 56-57. See also Mrs Helen Walton, Publicity Officer, Federation of Parents and Citizens' Associations of New South Wales, Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 8, discussing campaigns run by the NSW Government to increase awareness of teaching opportunities west of the Blue Mountains.

[37]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 38.

[38]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 36.

[39]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 57.

[40]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 59.

[41]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 31.

[42]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 12.

[43]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 32.

[44]      Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 14.

[45]      Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 68.

[46]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 40.

[47]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 42.

[48]      See Mrs Jane Fuchsbichler, Executive Portfolio Holder, Western Australian Farmers Federation, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 63, and Mrs Therese Byrne, Principal, Charters Towers State High School, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 70.

[49]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 36.

[50]      SiMERR National Centre, University of New England, SiMERR National Survey, pp x- xiii.

[51]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 17. See also Mr Gary Downsborough, Principal, Broome Senior High School and representative of the Australian Secondary Principals Association, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 82, Mrs Helen Walton, Publicity Officer, Federation of Parents and Citizens' Associations of New South Wales, Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 9.

[52]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 57.

[53]      Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 65.

[54]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 64. See also Professor Neil Otway, Director, Centre for Regional Engagement, University of South Australia, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 41, Mr Garry Costello, Regional Director, Limestone Coast District, Department of Education and Children's Services, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 65, Mr Colin Sharp, Director, Planning and Audit, Charles Sturt University, Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 3, and Professor Jennifer Nicol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Humanities, Curtin University, answer to question on notice, 21 September 2009 (received 19 October 2009).

[55]      See for example Mrs Elizabeth McGregor, member of TAFE Directors Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, pp 56-57 and Professor Andrew Taggart, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, Murdoch University, answer to question on notice, 21 September 2009 (received 19 October 2009).

[56]      Submission 364, p. 7. See also University of Tasmania and the Tasmanian Academy, Submission 519, p. 4, which discusses the Claremont College project aimed at raising the awareness of the value of continuing on to higher education study among students, staff, parents and members of the community in the College's catchment area.

[57]      Professor Joyce Kirk, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Students, RMIT University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 2.

[58]      Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 12.

[59]      Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 11.

[60]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, pp 17 and 24-25. See also Professor Joyce Kirk, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Students, RMIT University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 4, discussing the university's non-entrance examination admission scheme.

[61]      Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 87. See also Mr Colin Sharp, Director, Planning and Audit, Charles Sturt University, Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 12.

[62]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, pp 56-57.

[63]      See for example, the Bush Children's Education Foundation of NSW, Submission 235, pp 1 and 6, Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Australia, Submission 264, p. 3, and Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, Submission 292, p. 1.

[64]      Submission 402, p. 2.

[65]      Submission 627, p.1. See also Name Withheld, Submission 15, p. 1, where the submitter discusses sending both children to Adelaide during holidays in Year 12, at a cost of $5,000 per child, to access tutoring, and the Isolated Children's Parents' Association of WA, Submission 443, p. 3 which gives the example of a Year 12 student travelling to Perth for Tertiary Entrance Exam revision seminar, which cost the family $3,000 for flights and accommodation.

[66]      Submission 267, p. 1. See also Ouyen P-12 College Parents' Association, Submission 532, p. 1, and Parents Victoria, Submission 533, p. 2.

[67]      Submission 697, p. 1.

[68]      Professor Andrew Taggart, Dean Faculty of Arts and Education, Murdoch University, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 56.

[69]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 6. See also Professor John Pegg, SiMERR National Centre, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 32, noting that when there are capable students at a school, other students will look at them and say 'I can do that'.

[70]      Submission 540, p. 1. See also North Burnett Regional Council, Submission 490, p. 2 and Mrs Charlotte Della Vedova, Submission 746, p. 1.

[71]      For more information on the Senate Select Committee for Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities, see the Select Committee's webpage: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/indig_ctte/index.htm.

[72]      Submission 301, p. 2.

[73]      Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 4.

[74]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 37.

[75]      Mrs Therese Byrne, Principal, Charters Towers State High School, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 67.

[76]      Mr David Morris, Principal, Northern Beaches State High School, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 68.

[77]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, pp 38-39.

[78]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 41.

[79]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 75.

[80]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 77.

[81]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 31.

[82]      Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), Submission 523, pp 29-30.

[83]      Submission 523, p. 15.

[84]      Submission 523, pp 15-16

[85]      Submission 523, p. 36.

[86]      Submission 523, p. 39.

[87]      Mr Phil Aungles, Acting Branch Manager, Equity, Performance and Indigenous Branch, DEEWR, Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 65.

[88]      Submission 523, pp 48-49.

[89]      Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, pp 68-69.

[90]      Submission 523, p. 29.

[91]      Submission 523, p. 29.

[92]      Submission 523, pp 46-47.

[93]      Submission 523, p. 15.

[94]      Submission 523, p. 24.

[95]      Centrelink, Assistance for Isolated Children Payment Rates webpage. Available at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/aic_rates.htm, accessed 9 December 2009.  Payment rates are effective from 20 September. See also Centrelink, Assistance for Isolated Children, Brochure, pp 21-22. Available at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/st008_0810/$file/st008_0810en.pdf , accessed 9 December 2009.

[96]      See Submission 523, p. 24.

[97]      Western Australian Government, Submission 528, pp 5-6 and 10. The locations of regional hostels are: Albany, Broome, Esperance, Geraldton, Katanning, Merredin, Moora, Narrogin, Northam. The Western Australian Government provides a subsidy to maintain the viability of small boarding facilities in key service centres which receive insufficient revenue from fees to meet operating costs.

[98]      Northern Territory Government, Submission 301, p. 2.

[99]      Submission 235, p. 8. See also, NSW Department of Education and Training, Living Away from Home Allowance: 2009 information and application form. Available at: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsweb/studentsupport/scholarshipsmore/lafha_applicat.pdf, accessed 12 November 2009.

[100]    See NSW Department of Education and Training, Boarding Scholarship for Isolated Students: 2009 information and application form. Available at: http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsweb/studentsupport/scholarshipsmore/bsis_applicat.pdf, accessed 12 November 2009.

[101]    Submission 264, p. 3.

[102]    Submission 235, p. 6. Previously hostels had operated in Tibboorburra, Walgett, Bourke, Cobar and Forbes.

[103]    Submission 235, p. 6.

[104]    Submission 235, p. 1.

[105]    Submission 235, p. 8 (emphasis in original).

[106]    Submission 235, pp 9-10.

[107]    Submission 264, p. 7. See also Bush Children's Education Foundation, Submission 235, p. 10, which advocates a common definition of 'isolation' and 'remoteness' with regard to aspects of the criteria for Assistance for Isolated Children and the NSW Government's Living away from home allowance.

[108]    Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 4.

[109]    Remote Area Planning and Development Board, Submission 695, pp 6-7 (emphasis in original).

[110]    Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 20.

[111]    Mr Colin Pettit, Executive Director, Regional and Remote Schools, Western Australian Department of Education and Training, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 6.

Chapter 3 - Barriers to accessing tertiary education opportunities in rural and regional Australia

[1]        National Centre of Science, Information and Communications Technology, and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR), University of New England, SiMERR National Survey, 2006, p. 7.

[2]        Professor Denise Bradley et al, Review of Australian Higher Education: Final Report (Bradley Review)¸ December 2008, p. 31

[3]        Submission 523, p. 27.

[4]        Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), Submission 523, p. 22.

[5]        Submission 523, p. 22.

[6]        Gippsland East Local Learning and Employment Network, Submission 522, p. 6. See also Gannawarra Shire Council, Submission 556, pp 5-6 which outlines the distances and travel times to tertiary education providers and concludes that young people in that shire 'do not have the option to obtain a university degree or further education while living at home', and Glenelg and Southern Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network, Submission 474, p. 5.

[7]        Submission 695, pp 8-9.

[8]        Submission 537, p. 25.

[9]        Submission 558, p. 3.

[10]      Submission 244, p. 2.

[11]      Submission 558, p. 6.

[12]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, pp 49-50.

[13]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 51. See also Professor Phillip Steele, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Campus Coordination, Campus Director Berwick and Peninsula, Monash University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 10 who stressed the importance of the on-campus student experience.

[14]      Naomi Godden, with the Centre for Rural Social Research and Monash University Department of Social Work, Regional Young People and Youth Allowance: Access to Tertiary Education, November 2007, p. 10.

[15]      See for example Ms Clare Wagner, Submission 102, p. 2, Ms Susan Matthew, Careers Advisor, Young High School, Submission 369, p. 1, St Joseph's College Mildura, Submission 745, p. 1, and Professor Neil Otway, Director, Centre for Regional Engagement, University of South Australia, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 34.

[16]      See for example Ms Jessica Baikie, student at Launceston College, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 53, quoting figures from the Monash University website, Mr Denis and Mrs Margaret Riddle, Submission 61, p. 1 and Ms Janet Westland, Submission 152, p. 1. The Victorian Parliament's Education and Training Committee estimated the study and living costs for a student living away from home for a three year degree to be $82,382-$101519, depending on whether the student lived in shared rental accommodation or on-campus accommodation, see Victorian Parliament, Education and Training Committee, Inquiry into Geographical Differences in the Rate in which Victorian Students Participate in Higher Education, July 2009, p. 171.

[17]      Bradley Review, December 2008, p. 47.

[18]      See Ms Margaret Mibus, General Manager, Aboriginal Access Centre, TAFE SA, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 20 and Dr Ruth Schubert, General Manager, TAFE SA Regional, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, pp 24-25.

[19]      Mrs Robyn Dyer, Institute Director, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, pp 33-34.

[20]      Murdoch University Student Guild, answer to question on notice, 22 September 2009 (received 24 September 2009). The annual security fee is potentially refundable and will be refunded at the end of the year if the final inspection following departure is satisfactory, and all apartment and room furniture and fittings are considered to be of satisfactory condition, taking account of general wear and tear.

[21]      Rural Health in the Northern Outback, Tabled Documents, 10 November 2009. A semester rate (18 weeks) is available at $280 per week and a calendar year rate (52 weeks) is available for $250 per week. Discounted rates also apply for pre-payment.  Full board rates include a meal component of 21 meals a week during the academic year.

[22]      South Australian Government, Submission 436, p. 14. Aquinas College is affiliated with the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia. The application and bond are only payable by students entering the college for the first time and the bond of $500 is refundable.

[23]      Isolated Children's Parents' Association of WA, Submission 443, p. 9. See also Ouyen P-12 College Parents' Association, Submission 532, p. 1 and Ms Susan Barrett, Submission 597, p. 2, Ms Jan Andrews, Deputy Chief Executive, Schools and Children's Services, Department of Education and Children's Services, South Australia, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 3, Professor Andrew Vann, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, James Cook University, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 25. See also Professor Phillip Steele, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Campus Coordination, Campus Director Berwick and Peninsula, Monash University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 12, discussing the support offered by Monash Residential Services including student mentors, student wardens and a range of academic and social support for students.

[24]      See for example University of NSW, Submission 467, p. 2,  Dr Stephen Weller, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Students, Victoria University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, pp 12-13.

[25]      Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 12. See also Professor Joyce Kirk, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Students, RMIT University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 13.

[26]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 24.

[27]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 67.

[28]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 68.

[29]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 50.

[30]      See Mr Dwayne Richards, Member, Albany Youth Advisory Council, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 29 and Miss Basha Stasak, President, Guild of Students, Murdoch University, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 49.

[31]      Ms Narelle and Ms Paige Riley, Submission 412, p. 1.

[32]      See for example Miss Anna-Jane Gordon, Publications Officer 2009, Rural Health in the Northern Outback, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 8 who stated that in Townsville while there is the opportunity for students to live off-campus places are limited and prices expensive because the Defence Forces based in the area also require accommodation. See also Ms Jan Andrews, Deputy Chief Executive, Schools and Children's Services, Department of Education and Children's Services, South Australia, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, pp 3-4 and Dr Peter Havel, Principal, Albany Senior High School, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 9

[33]      Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Queensland, Submission 402, pp 3 and 6. See also Beth and Peter Simpson, Submission 215, p. 2 who noted the reverse problem with on-campus accommodation not being available during holidays and students needing to find alternate accommodation if they were going to stay and work.

[34]      Submission 524, pp 3-4.

[35]      Ms Heather Hanks, Year 4 Medical Student, James Cook University, Rural Health in the Northern Outback, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 12.

[36]      Associate Professor Richard Murray, Head of School, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 8. See also TAFE Directors Australia, Submission 527, p. 5.

[37]      Submission 527, p 4. See also Mrs Roxanne Morrissey, Federal President, Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Australia, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, pp 19-20.

[38]      Submission 369, p. 1.

[39]      Ms Narelle and Ms Paige Riley, Submission 412, p. 1.

[40]      Submission 713, p. 1.

[41]      Ms Barbara Black, Director, Albany Centre, University of Western Australia, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 54. See also Mr Gary Downsborough, Principal, Broome Senior High School and Representative of Australian Secondary Principals Association,  Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 79, discussing the cost of airfares between Perth and Broome ranging from less than $200 to $300-$400 each way.

[42]      Name withheld, Submission 340, p. 1.

[43]      The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 is currently being considered by the Senate. The Government has introduced another bill, the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No. 2] into the House of Representatives. The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No.2] contains the amendments that the Government proposed in the Senate to the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009, however, those amendments were not accepted by the Senate.

[44]      Except where otherwise referenced the following paragraphs are extracted from Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [Provisions], October 2009, paragraphs 3.6-3.9.

[45]      See Centrelink Factsheet, Youth Payment Rates: Youth Allowance, 20 September -31 December 2009.  Available at: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/co035_0909/$file/co035_0909en.pdf, accessed 25 November 2009. This factsheet sets out the rates of Youth Allowance and additional entitlements that a student may be eligible for as well as outlining the eligibility requirements for Youth Allowance.

[46]      Ms Robyn Shannon, Branch Manager, Income Support Policy Branch, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 50.

[47]      The following information is extracted from from Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [Provisions], October 2009, paragraphs 1.12-1.21.

[48]      The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No. 2] provides that in 2010 the amount of the Student Start-Up Scholarship will be $717 for each six months of study. See Schedule 2, Part 1, Item 4 of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No. 2] which inserts a new section 592H (Amount of student start-up scholarship payment) into the Social Security Act 1991.

[49]      For more information on the progress of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 see: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr4193%22, accessed 11 December 2009. For more information on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No. 2] see: http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;adv=yes;db=;group=;holdingType=;id=;orderBy=priority,title;page=;query=Dataset%3AbillsCurBef%20SearchCategory_Phrase%3A%22bills%20and%20legislation%22%20Dataset_Phrase%3A%22billhome%22%20Decade%3A%222000s%22%20Year%3A%222009%22%20Month%3A%2211%22%20Day%3A%2225%22;querytype=;rec=7;resCount=, accessed 11 December 2009.

[50]      See Centrelink Website, Austudy: Eligibility. Available at: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/austudy_eligible.htm, accessed 25 November 2009.

[51]      DEEWR, Submission 523, p. 44. For more information on rates of Austudy see Centrelink, Education Payment Rates: Austudy, ABSTUDY, Crisis Payment, Pensioner Education Supplement, Assistance for Isolated Children, 20 September - 31 December 2009. Available at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/co033_0909/$file/co033_0909en.pdf, accessed 25 November 2009.

[52]      See Centrelink Website, ABSTUDY: Eligibility. Available at: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/abstudy_eligible.htm, accessed 11 December 2009.

[53]      DEEWR, Submission 523, p. 44. For information on rates of ABSTUDY see Centrelink, Education Payment Rates: Austudy, ABSTUDY, Crisis Payment, Pensioner Education Supplement, Assistance for Isolated Children, 20 September - 31 December 2009. Available at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/co033_0909/$file/co033_0909en.pdf, accessed 25 November 2009.

[54]      The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No. 2] provides that in 2010 the amount of the Student Start-Up Scholarship will be $717 for each six months of study. See Schedule 2, Part 1, Item 4 of the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No. 2] which inserts a new section 592H (Amount of student start-up scholarship payment) into the Social Security Act 1991.

[55]      DEEWR, Submission 523, p. 20.

[56]      DEEWR, Submission 523, p. 44.

[57]      Fares allowance for one return trip to the educational institution may also be available to external students who are required to attend a compulsory residential component of their course. See Centrelink, Austudy Brochure, p. 13, information accurate as of July 2009 , available at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/st003_0907/$file/st003_0907en.pdf, accessed 25 November 2009 and Centrelink, Youth Allowance Brochure, p. 15, information accurate as of June 2009, available at http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/st002_0906/$file/st002_0906en.pdf, accessed 25 November 2009. Different arrangements are in place for fares allowance for ABSTUDY recipients. 

[58]      Submission 523, p. 43. See also TAFE Directors Australia, Submission 527, p. 5 which notes that in most jurisdictions apprentices receive assistance towards their costs for accommodation. See also Western Australian Government, Submission 528, p. 2 which describes the Travel and Accommodation Allowance that state has available for apprentices.

[59]      Name Withheld, Submission 338, p. 1. See also Name Withheld, Submission 84, p. 1, Ms Therese Francis, Submission 158, p. 1 and Ms Ashlinn Mason, Submission 171, p. 1.

[60]      Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 70.

[61]      See for example Name Withheld, Submission 7, p. 1, Name Withheld, Submission 16, p. 2, Mr Paul Haarburger, Submission 392, p. 1, Isolated Children's Parents' Association of WA, Submission 443, p. 5, and Mr Daryl Headlam, Submission 636, p. 1. See also Naomi Godden, with The Centre for Rural Social Research and Monash University Department of Social Work, Regional Young People and Youth Allowance: Access to Tertiary Education, 2007, p. 92.

[62]      Ms Robyn Shannon, Branch Manager, Income Support Policy Branch, DEEWR, Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, pp 64-65.

[63]      Pro-Vice-Chancellor Don Zoellner, Vocational Education and Training, Charles Darwin University, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 51.

[64]      Ms Julie Fibbins, Submission 36, p.1.

[65]      Submission 527, p. 5. See also Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Australia, Submission 264, p. 4, and Remote Area Planning and Development Board, Submission 695, p.11.

[66]      Naomi Godden, with the Centre for Rural Social Research and Monash University Department of Social Work, Regional Young People and Youth Allowance: Access to Tertiary Education, November 2007, p. 11.

[67]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [Provisions], October 2009, Chapter 3.

[68]      Naomi Godden, with the Centre for Rural Social Research and Monash University Department of Social Work, Regional Young People and Youth Allowance: Access to Tertiary Education, November 2007, p. 120.

[69]      Submission 264, p. 4.

[70]      Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p.84. See also Mr Dominic Rose, Guild President, Student Guild, University of Western Australia, Committee Hansard, 22 September, p. 46, Ms Barbara Lawrence, Director, Navigate, Central Queensland University, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, pp 26-27, Mr John Clark, Principal, School of Distance Education, Charters Towers, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, pp 44-45, and Ms Rachael Wilkinson, Student, Launceston College, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 56.

[71]      Mr David Crouch, Member, Renmark High School Governing Council, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 78. See also Mrs Gail McHardy, Executive Officer, Parents Victoria, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 62.

[72]      Kirby Financial Solutions, Submission 728, p. 1.

[73]      Ms Catherine Priestly, Submission 605, p. 1.

[74]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 45.

[75]      Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 56.

[76]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 4.

[77]      Ms Delia Jenkins, Submission 37, p. 2.

[78]      Loxton High School Governing Council, Submission 446, p. 4.

[79]      Rural Health in the Northern Outback, Submission 559, p. 20.

[80]      Education and Training Committee, Parliament of Victoria, Inquiry into Geographical Differences in the Rate in which Victorian Students Participate in Higher Education, July, pp 200-201.

[81]      Ms Rachael Wilkinson, Student, Launceston College, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 50.

[82]      See for example Mrs Gail McHardy, Executive Officer, Parents Victoria, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 63 and Mrs Helen Walton, Publicity Officer, Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW, Committee Hansard, 12 November 2009, p. 7.

[83]      Ms Michaela Edwards, President, Deakin University Student Association, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 42.

[84]      Bradley Review, December 2008, p. 65.

[85]      Education and Training Committee, Parliament of Victoria, Inquiry into Geographical Differences in the Rate in which Victorian Students Participate in Higher Education, July, p. 197.

[86]      Mr Jeffrey Capell, Acting Principal, Ayr State High School, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 64.

[87]      Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [Provisions], October 2009, p. 43, Recommendation 1.

[88]      Submission 136, p. 1.

[89]      Submission 507, Attachment, p. 6. See also Ms Robin Muller, Submission 713, p. 2, who outlined the items that she believed her family would not be spending on in the local community while her son is at university including,  vehicle replacement, participation in social events and membership of clubs and recreational activities.

[90]      Ms Merry Dickins, Parent Representative, Mount Gambier High School Governing Council, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 69. See also Dr Peter Havel, Principal, Albany Senior High School, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 2.

[91]      Submission 691, p. 5.

[92]      Submission 546, p. 3.

[93]      Ms Linda Phillips, Submission 29, p. 1.

[94]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 2. See also Ms Kathy Maslin, Submission 276, p. 1, Ms Anne and Mr Steve Longworth, Submission 377, p. 1, Mr Grant and Ms Carol Ballam, Submission 394, p. 1 and Ms Melanie Williams, Submission 421, p. 1.

[95]      Submission 384, p. 3.

[96]      Australian Council for Educational Research, Report for the Department of Education, Training and Employment, 2008 Graduate Pathways Survey: Graduates' education and employment outcomes five years after completion of a bachelor degree at an Australian university, April 2009, p. 95. Available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Publications/Documents/2008%20Graduate%20Pathways%20Survey.pdf, accessed 1 December 2009.

[97]      Submission 681, p. 2.  See also Leslie Tilbrook, Career Adviser, St Philips College Alice Springs, Submission 615, p. 2.

[98]      Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 85. See also Ms Margaret Crisp, Chief Executive Officer, North East Local Learning and Employment Network, Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 24 and Ms Gail McHardy, Executive Officer, Parents Victoria, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 68.

[99]      Dr Ruth Schubert, General Manager, TAFE SA Regional, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 19. See also Ms Genevieve and Mr Michael Wells, Submission 646, p. 2.

[100]    Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 74.

Chapter 4 - Delivery of tertiary educational opportunities by regional institutions

[1]        Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), Submission 523, p. 32.

[2]        Professor Denise Bradley et al, Review of Australian Higher Education (Bradley Review), December 2008, p. 111.

[3]        Submission 558, p. 6.

[4]        Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 47. See also Southern Cross University, Submission 244, pp 4-5.

[5]        See for example La Trobe University, Submission 119, p. 7, Edith Cowan University, Submission 430, p.1 and Deakin University, Submission 691, p. 5.

[6]        See for example, Ms Cathy Rasmussen, Submission 347, p.1, Ms Krystal Thompson, Submission 371, p. 1 and Ms Lynda Gerrard, Submission 496, p. 1.

[7]        Australian Government, Transforming Australia's Higher Education System, May 2009, p. 47. Available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Pages/TransformingAustraliasHESystem.aspx, accessed 27 November 2009.

[8]        Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 90.

[9]        Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 47.

[10]      Submission 558, p. 3.

[11]      Submission 523, p. 16.

[12]      Submission 364, p. 6. See also Associate Professor Richard Murray, Head of School of Dentistry and Medicine, James Cook University, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 16.

[13]      Submission 449, p. 6.

[14]      Submission 523, p. 32.

[15]      Submission 523, p. 11.

[16]      Submission 523, pp 11-14. See also Professor Neil Otway, Director, Centre for Regional Engagement, University of South Australia, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 41.

[17]      Submission 523, p. 13.

[18]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 43.

[19]      Ms Debra Daly, Chair, TAFE Directors Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 56.

[20]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 66.

[21]      DEEWR, Submission 523, p. 23.

[22]      DEEWR Website, Commonwealth Grants Scheme, available at http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/Funding/CommonwealthGrantScheme/Pages/Home.aspx, accessed 2 December 2009.

[23]      Commonwealth Grants Scheme Guidelines No. 1, paragraph 4.5.75.

[24]      Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Administrative information for providers: Commonwealth Grant Scheme, October 2008, p. 17. Available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Programs/Funding/CommonwealthGrantScheme/Documents/AIP.pdf, accessed 16 November 2009. See also Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Higher Education Report 2007, p. 11, which sets out the distribution of the regional loading across higher education providers in 2007. Available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Publications/HEReports/Documents/HEReport07.pdf, accessed 16 November 2009.

[25]      Bradley Review, December 2008, p. 110.

[26]      Bradley Review, p. 110.

[27]      Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 30. See also Professor Arshad Omari, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Edith Cowan University, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2009, p. 88, Professor Lin Crase, Executive Director, Albury-Wodonga Campus, La Trobe University, Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 8, Professor David Battersby, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ballarat, Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 8 and Ms Barbara Lawrence, Director, Navigate, Central Queensland University, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 27.

[28]      Professor Charles Webb, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Teaching and Learning, Charles Darwin University, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 54.

[29]      Australian Government, Transforming Australia's Higher Education System, p. 40. Available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Pages/TransformingAustraliasHESystem.aspx, accessed 16 November 2009.

[30]      Professor Graham Baker, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Scholarship), University of Southern Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, pp 42 and 49.

[31]      Submission 559, p. 21.

[32]      Australian Government, Transforming Australia's Higher Education System, p. 43.

[33]      See Australian Government, Transforming Australia's Higher Education System: Strengthening the Relationship Between Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training, Factsheet 12, available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Documents/PDF/Pages%20from%20A09-303%20Budget%20Fact%20Sheets-12_webaw.pdf, accessed 2 December 2009.

[34]      Submission 527, p. 2.

[35]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 18.

[36]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 22.

[37]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 30.

[38]      Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 79.

[39]      Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 24.

[40]      Submission 527, p. 6.

[41]      Bradley Review, December 2008, Recommendation 17, p. 113.

[42]      See Australian Government, Transforming Australia's Higher Education System: Strengthening Regional Higher Education Provision, Factsheet 11, available at:.http://www.deewr.gov.au/HigherEducation/Documents/PDF/Pages%20from%20A09-303%20Budget%20Fact%20Sheets-11_webaw.pdf, accessed 2 December 2009.

[43]      Charles Sturt University, Submission 537, p. 28.

[44]      Professor Alan Pettigrew, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, University of New England, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 54.

[45]      Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 6.

[46]      Ms Geraldine O'Flynn, President, tweedgoldcoastRs Association, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 20.

[47]      Professor Paul Thomas, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of the Sunshine Coast, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 53.

[48]      Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 54.

[49]      Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 27. See also Professor Jennifer Nicol, Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Humanities, Curtin University of Technology, Committee Hansard, 21 September 2009, p. 52 and Professor Joyce Kirk, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Students, RMIT University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 10.

[50]      See for example Mrs Robyn Dyer, Institute Director, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 35 and Professor Alan Pettigrew, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, University of New England, Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 45.

[51]      See for example Professor Phillip Steele, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Campus Coordination, Campus Director Berwick and Peninsula, Monash University, Committee Hansard, 11 November 2009, p. 10.

[52]      Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 9

[53]      Committee Hansard, 24 September 2009, p. 9.

[54]      Submission 630, p. 4.

Chapter 5 - Conclusions and Recommendations

[1]        Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, Submission 679, p. 1.

[2]        Committee Hansard, 2 September 2009, p. 38.

[3]        Committee Hansard, 10 November 2009, p. 80.

[4]        The committee also notes the recent Australian National Audit Office report into the Administration of Youth Allowance which recommended that the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations develop and use effectiveness indicators to identify and measure the achievement of Youth Allowance-related programs in providing appropriate income support and promoting education and training. The committee notes that the Department has agreed with this recommendation. See Australian National Audit Office, Administration of Youth Allowance: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and Centrelink, Audit Report No. 12 2009-10, November 2009.

[5]        See Ms Jan Andrews, Deputy Chief Executive, Schools and Children's Services, South Australian Department of Education and Children's Services, Committee Hansard, 23 September 2009, p. 10.