Full Universities Australia Logo Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia
  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Board
    • History
    • Career Opportunities
  • Facts & Publications
    • Student Statistics
    • Staff Statistics
    • University & Funding Statistics
    • Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
    • Submissions
    • Teaching, Learning & Funding
    • Research & Innovation
    • International
    • Diversity & Equity
    • Safety & Wellbeing
    • Health
    • Copyright
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
    • University Profiles
    • Teaching Calendar
    • University Contacts
    • University Startup Hubs
    • Student Safety – Contacts
    • 2022 Floods
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact
Study in Australia
©2025

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Media Release 19 May 2020

UA welcomes Victorian Government support package for unis

Universities Australia welcomes the announcement by the Victorian Government to invest $350 million in the State’s universities to support Victoria’s economic recovery and local jobs.

The Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund will boost university capital works, applied research and research partnerships.

The Victorian Government will also provide payroll tax deferrals worth $110m to assist with short-term cashflow challenges.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson welcomed the investment in Victorian universities.

“This $350 million investment in Victorian universities is an investment in the State’s post-pandemic economic recovery,” Ms Jackson said.

“Universities are the engine rooms of growth, producing the skilled graduates and high-quality research that increases economic productivity.”

“Capital works have a multiplier effect by providing jobs during the construction phase as well as supporting local jobs during operation. In the case of universities, they also house the innovation and research labs that generate new jobs and new breakthroughs, including potential treatments for COVID-19.”

“The Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund is good news for Victoria’s universities. However, there are 39 comprehensive universities in Australia, and they are all affected in some way by COVID-19.”

“Now is the time for the Federal Government to reconsider its approach so far and reinvest in universities at a national level.”

Universities Australia recently released modelling estimating the short-term revenue hit to universities would be between $3 billion and $4.6 billion, putting at risk around 21,000 jobs in the next six months.

Last month the Victorian Government announced a $45 million support package for international students, which included relief payments of up to $1,100, co-contributed by Victorian universities.

“International education is Australia’s fourth largest export. In Victoria, universities contributed $7.5 billion in export income in 2018-19, supporting more than 35,000 in full time equivalent jobs,” Ms Jackson said.

		array(5) {
  ["heading"]=>
  string(13) "Related Media"
  ["link-label"]=>
  string(13) "See All Media"
  ["type"]=>
  string(10) "media-item"
  ["taxonomy"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    object(WP_Term)#3009 (10) {
      ["term_id"]=>
      int(12)
      ["name"]=>
      string(13) "Media Release"
      ["slug"]=>
      string(13) "media-release"
      ["term_group"]=>
      int(0)
      ["term_taxonomy_id"]=>
      int(12)
      ["taxonomy"]=>
      string(10) "media-type"
      ["description"]=>
      string(0) ""
      ["parent"]=>
      int(0)
      ["count"]=>
      int(820)
      ["filter"]=>
      string(3) "raw"
    }
  }
  ["use-separator"]=>
  bool(true)
}
	

Related Media

See All Media
media-item
Media Release
4 May 2025

2025 federal election outcome

“Universities Australia congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on their victory at the 2025 federal election,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
16 April 2025

Regional funding boost to benefit universities and the nation

The Coalition’s promise of new funding for campus infrastructure and additional Commonwealth supported places recognises the university sector’s role in driving Australia’s future, particularly in the regions.

Read more
media-item
Media Release
6 April 2025

STUDENT CAP PLAN WILL DAMAGE ECONOMY WITHOUT FIXING HOUSING CRISIS

Universities Australia has warned that the Coalition’s proposed cuts to international student numbers – alongside increasing visa fees – would damage the economy and Australia’s global reputation, without solving the housing crisis.

Read more
See All Media
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Popular Search Terms

  • Business & Community
  • Careers & Staffing
  • Indigenous
  • International
  • Resources & Regulation
  • Quality Assurance
  • Governance
  • Research
  • Students & Teaching
  • Student Income Support
  • Teaching Calendar
©2025
Universities Australia Logo
Study in Australia

Sign up

©2025
Universities Australia Logo


Australian Aboriginal Flag Flag of the Torres Strait Islanders

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About
  • Facts & Publications
  • Policy & Submissions
  • Campaigns & Projects
  • Our universities
  • Media
  • Events
  • Contact

Get in touch

  • 1 Geils Court
  • Deakin ACT 2600
  • T: +61 2 6285 8100

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
©2025
Authorised by J. Clark, Universities Australia, Canberra.
Legal
Study in Australia
Site Index