Established in May 2018, the Country Universities Centre Far West is a community-led organisation.

We are driving change in regional education by empowering the Far West community to fulfil their potential through higher education. Regional and rural communities deserve quality opportunities to pursue their dreams without the need to relocate. Our mission is to provide regional people with the space and tools they need to create a vibrant and more prosperous future for themselves and their wider community. We offer a dedicated learning and study space in Broken Hill that was designed for regional people by regional people. Students have free access to high-speed Internet, modern technology, and general academic support all delivered locally, whilst also having the opportunity to build a network of like-minded fellow students.

As a non-profit, we’re supported by the federal and state government, and through university partners.

CUC Far West is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). First established with support from the NSW Government, Broken Hill Bank (formerly Broken Hill Community Credit Union) and Regional Development Australia Far West, our Centre was later successful in obtaining federal funding which now continues with the Regional University Study Hub program. Further funding arrangements have also been established with key university partners, the Eastern Australian Universities and Regional Universities Centres partnership, and grant opportunities.

We’re a Regional University Study Hub.

An initiative of the Australian Government Department of Education, the Regional University Study Hub network helps students in regional and remote areas access higher education without having to leave their community. A regional university study hub provides student support and campus-style facilities for students who study online or via distance.

We’re also an affiliate of the Country Universities Centre network.

The CUC network operates in communities where universities cannot or will not go, from the coast to the outback, with the common goal of developing equitable access to higher education.

We’re proud of our impact.

Each semester, approximately 200 local students register with us and receive our support to study the course of their own choosing. They study degrees in health, education, community services and more with a wide range of education providers. Many of our students are studying degrees in high-demand areas that are integral to the success of our local community.

Since we opened our Centre, we have supported over 1000 students.

We look forward to continuing being part of the future of higher education for the Far West region.