Working together to expand regional higher education access

For many First Nations students and those from small communities, the cost of study and living away from home can make university feel out of reach. As Australia’s largest regional university*, Charles Sturt works closely with community and industry partners across regional Australia to ease these pressures and open genuine pathways into higher education.

Like-minded partners, including Elders, Birrang Enterprise Development Company Ltd (Birrang) and the Country Education Foundation (CEF), support participation for First Nations students and other under-represented groups. In 2025, this included two Elders AgriPathways scholarships valued at $24,000 each, $45,000 in multi-year support from Birrang to assist First Nations students with relocation and essential costs and $133,000 in CEF grants for rural, regional and remote students. Together, these partnerships reduced financial hardship and expanded fair access to education, contributing to efforts to end poverty-related disadvantage.