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As part of its Regional Education package, the Australian Government is developing a National Regional, Rural and Remote Education Strategy to drive increased participation in post-secondary education. The Strategy will build on the Government's response to the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education [the Halsey Review, available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 132.70]. Recommendation 11 of the review proposed that the government 'establish a national focus for regional, rural and remote education, training and research to enhance access, outcomes and opportunities in regional Australia'. The Regional Education Expert Advisory Group was established to drive the strategy and advise Government on the ongoing education and training needs of regional, rural and remote (RRR) communities. This document outlines the background of the strategy formation, the problem facing regional, rural and remote education and the challenges faced by those communities. The document also outlines key questions the consultations will be aiming to answer in forming a strategy.

The paper identifies five major challenges particularly important in addressing the lower levels of access and attainment in tertiary education for students from RRR: (a) there are fewer study options available in RRR areas; (b) financial, emotional and social challenges for students who relocate; (c) raising aspirations for tertiary education; (d) RRR students often face multiple forms of disadvantage; and (e) attracting people and jobs to RRR areas.

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