States Grants (Universities) Act 1973

• New South Wales (6 universities): University of Sydney ($359,000), University of New South Wales ($277,050), Macquarie University ($81,000), University of New England ($63,000), University of Newcastle ($56,000), Wollongong University College ($20,000)
• Victoria (3 universities): University of Melbourne ($273,000), Monash University ($231,000), La Trobe University ($82,000)
• Queensland (2 universities): University of Queensland ($220,000), James Cook University of North Queensland ($25,000)
• South Australia (2 universities): University of Adelaide ($146,000), Flinders University of South Australia ($54,000)
• Western Australia (1 university): University of Western Australia ($147,000)
• Tasmania (1 university): University of Tasmania ($62,000)

Why does it matter?

This Act reflects the Whitlam Government's early push to expand access to higher education for Australians from lower-income backgrounds. It is a practical, one-year funding measure — not a permanent ongoing scheme — covering only the calendar year 1973. It also illustrates the constitutional mechanism Australia uses for federal education funding: because education is a State responsibility under the Constitution, the Commonwealth cannot fund universities directly without going through the States. The money must legally pass through State governments first.