Aussie universities big winners in Rudd budget

Gov’t promises extra $5.3 billion, hopes to increase undergrad enrolment by 50,000

Australian universities were big winners earlier this week when the Australian Labour Party (the left of centre party in what is effectively a two party system) tabled its latest budget.

The university sector will be receiving an additional $5.3 billion over six years. The government hopes to increase enrolment by 50,000 undergraduate students by 2015.

The budget includes a significant overall of student financial aid policies, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company.