This includes providing real cost of living support for students and helping more Australians go to university. 

Cutting student debt

We promised it and we have delivered it.

More than 3.2 million Australians have now had their student debt cut by 20 per cent.

In total, the Albanese Labor Government has cut more than $16 billion in student debt.

This includes 17,105 people in Bendigo, with the average student saving $5,500. 

The Government has also made the repayments system fairer.

We have raised the minimum amount you have to earn before you start making repayments from $54,435 to $67,000 and we have reduced the minimum repayments you have to make. 

More university places 

More Australians will start a university degree this year than ever before.  

This year there will be an extra 9,500 domestic commencing places for universities on top of 2025 levels.

According to preliminary data from the Department of Education, university applications for commencing undergraduate students are also up 4.6 per cent and offers are up 2.5 per cent compared to the same time last year.

University campuses like La Trobe’s Bendigo’s are welcoming more students than previous years with 1198 students commencing their studies this year, up from last year’s census date. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“We’re rolling out major reforms at our universities.

“We’ve delivered on our promise to cut student debt by 20 per cent, we’re providing real cost of living support with Paid Prac, and we’re taking action to listen to students and help keep them safe.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters MP

"It's great for the region that more students are choosing to study at La Trobe University's Bendigo campus. 

"Regional communities need more nurses, teachers, socials workers and allied health professionals. We know that if students train and study regionally, they are more likely to stay and live regionally post their studies."