But Federation University Ballarat has reversed the trend with a slight rise in student numbers in the past 12 months.

Federation University deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Andy Smith said it was ‘too early’ to provide a figure for 2019, but the university hoped to maintain growth next year.

Department of Education and Training data released on Monday shows the number of people applying for a university place in 2018 decreased by 3.3 per cent compared to 2017 Australia-wide. 

Of those who applied, 279,355 people received offers, a decrease of 2.4 per cent on 2017.

Creative arts, education, architecture and building recorded the largest falls in applications in 2018, while health proved the most popular field of education. 

The number of people offered a place in a teacher education degree fell by 11.4 per cent in 2018, a possible signpost of a future skilled teacher shortage ahead, according to Universities Australia. 

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said applications from people of a low socio-economic status background had also fallen by 4.4 per cent in 2018. 

She described the fall as a ‘sad reversal’ of good progress made in previous years.

“Specifically, cuts that have been made in past years to the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program – which funds support programs for those who might be first in their family to attend university – seem to be biting this year,” Ms Jackson said.

Applicants from a low socio-economic status background were found to be less likely to receive an offer compared with medium socio-economic status and high socio-economic status applicants, according to the department report. 

Professor Smith said FedUni was ‘proud’ to have the highest percentage of ‘first generation’ students throughout the nation at 44 per cent, according to the Good Universities Guide.

First generation students are the first in their family to attend university.

“The university also is ranked number one in Victoria for student support and for equity. Our mentors and residential support, FedReady study preparation program and both peer-assisted and on-line tutoring are very popular with students,” he said. 

“The KickStart program provides a range of financial and material support for students to help them get committed, and stay committed to University study. This includes cash-based support such as bursaries or special grants, as well as Foundation Scholarships.”  

Meanwhile, applicants from non-metropolitan areas also decreased by 3.8 per cent Australia-wide in 2018. 

Just under one quarter, 23.3 per cent, of domestic applicants were from regional and remote areas.

This is lower than their share of the working age population 15 to 64 year olds, at 27 per cent, demonstrating people from non-metropolitan areas are under-represented in the pool of domestic applicants.

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