The event was held at Uni Hub Playford's permanent site at the TAFE SA Elizabeth campus, with the site officially opened by the Honourable Jason Clare MP, Federal Minister for Education; City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty; and Matt Burnell MP, Member for Spence. The opening was attended by Uni Hub Playford partners including the City of Playford, Adelaide University, Flinders University, TAFE SA and the Northern Adelaide State Secondary Schools' Alliance (NASSSA), along with local students.
Recognising the barriers many people face in accessing tertiary education in northern Adelaide, the City of Playford, has led the establishment and delivery of Uni Hub Playford, supported by the Australian Government through the Suburban University Study Hubs program.
Uni Hub Playford provides purpose-built study spaces and personalised academic, career and wellbeing support, allowing students to study their chosen university course close to home. Located in Elizabeth, the hub helps reduce long-standing barriers commonly faced by students in the region when pursuing university - such as long commutes, limited public transport, and feeling disconnected from campus life.
The permanent facility builds on the success of the interim Uni Hub Playford site at the Playford Civic Centre Library, which has supported students since April 2025. Strong and sustained demand has reinforced the value of a purpose-built hub and confirmed the need for a permanent higher education presence in northern Adelaide.
Mayor Glenn Docherty, City of Playford
Uni Hub Playford represents a significant commitment by Council to the future of northern Adelaide.
The City of Playford is proud to have played a central role in bringing this hub to life alongside our partners, the Australian Government, TAFE SA, Adelaide University, Flinders University and NASSSA.
This hub has been designed to address real barriers faced by students in the north, including distance from campuses, transport challenges and limited local access to higher education. By providing support close to home, Uni Hub Playford makes tertiary study more accessible and achievable for people at different stages of life.
As northern Adelaide continues to grow, so does the need for a skilled local workforce to support key industries such as defence, health and advanced manufacturing. Uni Hub Playford creates clear pathways from education into these industries, ensuring local people are well placed to take up the opportunities emerging in our region.
Professor Nicola Phillips, Vice Chancellor and President, Adelaide University
Uni Hub Playford is a fantastic initiative and aligns completely with the vision for Adelaide University. It's not good enough for university to only be accessible some people - we have to make higher education open, available, welcoming for everyone, and that is exactly what this hub does.
There are two dimensions to making higher education more accessible: creating dedicated pathways into university that cater to a range of backgrounds and educational experiences; and proving strong, tailored support and resources for students once they are studying, to ensure they can enjoy and succeed in their study. This hub delivers both those dimensions, and I thank everyone for joining together and supporting this long-term commitment to the community in northern Adelaide.
Professor Colin Stirling, Flinders University Vice-Chancellor
Flinders University has been championing access to education since our inception nearly 60 years ago, and that legacy is clear - in 2025, 50% of our students were the first in their family to experience university.
We're proud to partner with Uni Hub Playford and to welcome the growing number of students from northern Adelaide who are choosing Flinders as their pathway to a brighter future.
With tailored career support, dedicated study spaces and easy train access to Flinders' City Campus, the Hub sets up students to thrive from day one. And with Flinders' deep connections to industry shaping how we teach, students will gain the skills that employers need now and into the future.
We look forward to supporting Uni Hub Playford to spark life-changing opportunities for students.
Adam Kilvert. Chief Executive, TAFE SA
Uni Hub Playford opens up tertiary education opportunities to a wider group of students who can utilise a local study environment at our Elizabeth Campus while also balancing other priorities including family and work commitments.
We are really pleased to be partnering with the City of Playford and other education and tertiary education providers to deliver the study hub. TAFE SA is committed to increasing accessibility to training and education opportunities across the state and we are delighted to have the Uni Hub Playford located at our Elizabeth Campus.
Whether you're a young school leaver or a mature-aged learner, someone re-entering the workforce or an existing worker needing to re-train or upskill, you'll find a supportive study environment at this fantastic new facility.
Michele Malonagos, Director, Northern Adelaide State Secondary Schools' Alliance (NASSSA)
The opening of Uni Hub Playford marks an exciting step forward for education in northern Adelaide and for the young people and families NASSSA support across our 12 partnering Secondary schools.
This initiative brings higher education closer to our communities and sends a clear message that university and further study are realistic and supported options for local students. By having access to guidance and services within their own region, students are better equipped to explore their futures and make confident choices about their next steps after school.
NASSSA is pleased to be part of a partnership that strengthens connections between schools, tertiary education providers, including universities & TAFE SA, and helps create smoother transitions from secondary education into further learning and employment. Uni Hub Playford will support the development of local talent for a growing region, helping students connect their learning with future employment opportunities while staying close to home.
