“That ICPA Qld lobbies Queensland universities and their affiliated residential colleges to implement a policy reserving a designated percentage of on-campus accommodation placements for rural and remote students who are required to relocate in order to access tertiary education.”
Students from rural and remote Queensland do not have the option to commute to university and must relocate to metropolitan or regional centres to access tertiary education. Securing safe, affordable accommodation is critical to their ability to commence and continue their studies. Increasing demand for accommodation has made placements highly competitive. Rural and remote students often face additional barriers, including:
- Limited housing options outside of residential colleges
- Financial pressures associated with relocation
- Distance from family support networks
- Later offer rounds or delays due to QTAC processes
Without guaranteed or prioritised accommodation access, capable rural and remote students may defer, withdraw, or choose not to pursue tertiary education at all.
Reserving accommodation placements would:
- Promote equitable access to higher education
- Improve retention and wellbeing of rural and remote students
- Recognise the unique disadvantage faced by students who must relocate
- Support regional workforce development by enabling students to complete qualifications
