This report is a formal evaluation of the measures responding to the National Regional, Rural and Remote (RRR) Tertiary Education Strategy. The evaluation made 12 recommendations regarding regional university funding measures, the Regional University Study Hubs Program, the Regional Partnerships Project Pool Program and establishment of the Regional Education Commissioner role. 

In 2020, the Australian Government announced a $400 million package of measures (Napthine Measures) to support RRR tertiary education in response to the Napthine Review, under the Job-ready Graduates (JRG) package. The measures were intended to achieve the three ‘Napthine Goals’ – bridging the gap in participation and attainment between RRR and metropolitan students, driving productivity and growth for regional Australia, and increasing the research capacity of regional universities. 

The purpose of the evaluation is to examine the effectiveness and impact of the Napthine Measures by considering the success of individual measures against their policy objectives, as well as evaluating the measures together to understand their potential collective contribution to the Napthine Goals. 

The evaluation used a multi-method approach which included analysis of qualitative data from stakeholder consultations, literature review and stakeholder submissions, and quantitative analysis of tertiary education data. It found that the Napthine Measures have been implemented in accordance with their policy objectives and have been generally supported by universities and other tertiary education stakeholders. 

Stakeholders viewed the measures collectively as a significant commitment to progressing higher education participation and attainment in RRR areas, and as an important contribution to generating sustainable change across the national higher education system to support the needs of students from RRR areas. This evaluation has found that the Napthine Measures have provided important and highly valued funding for regional universities and regional students, and that individual initiatives hold significant promise as a driver and facilitator of tertiary enrolment for students from RRR areas. 

Recommendations

The evaluation provides recommendations on actions that could be taken by the Australian Government to reduce the disparity between RRR and metropolitan students in tertiary education outcomes and focused on the design and implementation of future measures. 

1. The Australian Government should ensure that the implementation of per student funding contributions under a needs-based funding model adequately responds to the cost of higher education delivery in regional Australia. 
2. The Australian Government should implement measures to support more timely release of higher education funding and enrolments data. 
3. The Australian Government should consider expanding the eligibility of future programs similar to the RRC Program to include students completing masters degrees. 
4. The Australian Government should continue to support research and research infrastructure in RRR areas.
5. The Department of Education should progress the collection and analysis of data on student experience, participation and attainment of students studying with support of the Hubs.
6. The Department of Education should undertake analysis of data on tertiary education participation in RRR areas, with and without a Regional Study Hub. 
7. Higher education outreach activities should seek to build upon the RPPPP model of multi-stakeholder partnership to drive impactful higher education outreach. 
8. The Department of Education and Services Australia should implement measures to increase accessibility and awareness of the Tertiary Access Payment (TAP).
9. The Australian Government should broaden the TAP eligibility criteria to include students taking a gap year and other non-traditional pathways.
10. The Department of Education and Services Australia should collect data on student experience of applying for and receiving the TAP, and impacts of the TAP on influencing student decision-making and increasing higher education access.
11. Services Australia should increase awareness of the Fares Allowance payment and provide guidance on the application process through targeted social media campaigns. 
12. The Commissioner should consider establishing regular higher education virtual roundtable sessions with universities and other key stakeholders.