University funding under Liberal and Labor

A look at university funding under the federal government and Labor, after the opposition promised $174 million over a decade to boost regional student numbers.

UNIVERSITY FUNDING

Under the coalition:

- Universities are in the midst of a two-year funding freeze to save about $2 billion from the budget. Funding will be kept at 2017 levels until 2020.

- The freeze means universities will not get extra money if they enrol more students than last year and they also won't see any indexation to help with rising costs.

- Universities Australia says the freeze will affect 10,000 student places and has called for its reversal.

Labor's pledge:

- $174 million package over 10 years to increase university access for those in regional areas.

- $10 billion over 10 years to abolish limits on student numbers, which the party says will boost student numbers by 200,000 over 12 years.

- An inquiry into universities and TAFE within 100 days if successful at the next federal election.

- The Group of Eight universities, including ANU, Monash University and the universities of Sydney, NSW, Melbourne, Queensland, Western Australia and Adelaide, has praised the promise of funding being available for universities to partner with not-for-profit community groups to target students most in need.