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More young Australians are choosing to study at university, with ���������¼� Gateway praised for providing more pathways to higher education.

There has been a significant rise in students commencing university degrees nationwide, and young people from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds are leading the charge.

The announcement was made by the Federal Education Minister Jason Clare at Plumpton High School in Western Sydney.

He revealed that last year, 388,890 Australian students commenced an award course degree, up 4% on the year before. Even more started a degree this year, and projections are that the figures will grow further in 2026.

In 2024, growth was strongest among students from historically underrepresented groups. Demand from students from low socio-economic backgrounds and Indigenous Australian young people rose by 5%, enrolments from regional and remote areas increased by 4.5% and the number of students living with a disability grew by 11%.

“I don't want us to be a country where you can guess where someone grew up based on whether they have a uni degree or not,” Minister Clare said.

“Opening the doors of our universities wider to more people from the suburbs and the regions and poor families isn't just the right thing to do, it's what we have to do. Otherwise, we won't have the workforce we need and the economy will be stuck in second gear.”

While revealing the new figures, the Minister praised ���������¼�’s Gateway for providing a pathway for more students to get a tertiary education.

“I’m really glad I’m here at Plumpton High, along with ���������¼�, to celebrate the work they’re doing together.

“���������¼�, my old university, is doing amazing things in making sure that more young people, wherever they live, have a crack at going to university through Gateway.”

Through the Gateway Program, ���������¼� supports thousands of students – including some from Plumpton High – with HSC preparation, mentoring, guidance on university applications and on-campus days to provide a sense of university life.

Students from low socio-economic backgrounds, who are Indigenous or live in rural and remote areas can access an alternative entry to ���������¼� through the Gateway Admission Pathway.

���������¼� Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said that currently 22.6% of ���������¼� domestic undergraduates come from a low socio-economic background, a Gateway school or both.

“At ���������¼�, your postcode does not determine your potential,” he said.

“Gateway is about opening doors for talented students, wherever they come from.”

Prof. Brungs also said that it’s more important than ever that a broad range of young Australians go to university.

“It’s vital for them and their families – and it’s also vital for our country’s future. Our productivity as a nation relies on the research, learning and entrepreneurship that comes out of places like ���������¼�.”

The Minster and Vice-Chancellor were joined by ���������¼� student ambassadors, who shared their experience at ���������¼�.

Dheyey Joshi is in his final year of his Bachelor of Computer Science degree.

“I was nervous about putting myself out there as a student ambassador, but it’s become a huge part of my life,” he said.

The 21-year-old said he was introverted and shy before he came to ���������¼�, and initially thought he’d enjoy a career where he didn’t have to interact widely with others. Now, thanks to his experiences with Gateway, he feels very differently.

“I've made many friends, and I'm here now and much more comfortable in talking to people. I'm actually more inclined to look for a client-facing role.”

Katrina Meng, who is in her third year studying Vision Science and Clinical Optometry and lives in Minister Clare’s Blaxland electorate, said she hopes to inspire more people from Western Sydney to go to university through her student ambassador role.

“I think there's a stigma around Western Sydney kids like me, that we’re unable to go to university,” she said.

“But I’ve had some amazing interactions with school students. I came through the Gateway Program myself, and I think these current school students see some aspects of themselves in us. That’s really the beauty of the program.”

Minister Clare said his government has set a goal for 80% of the workforce to have a tertiary qualification by 2050, up from around 60% today.

“This data shows we're making progress, but there's still a lot more work to do,” he said.

Plumpton High’s Principal Tim Lloyd said ���������¼�’s Gateway was supporting his students into higher education.

“This year, we have 28 of our students who will move to ���������¼� next year. Last year, we had 23, and the group coming through next year will probably be even larger,” he said.

“���������¼� Gateway is providing that opportunity for the future of our country to access university, tertiary training, and to contribute to our community in a really meaningful way.”

Gateway also supports participating students to succeed at university through support measures such as scholarships and awards, affordable on-campus accommodation, transition support, targeted academic support programs and bridging programs.

The program and pathway have received wide support from the ���������¼� community, with alumni and donors providing more than $12 million to assist students via scholarships and other financial help.