The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams says recommendations from a Senate committee inquiry should be adopted by the Federal Government to give equality for regional students.

The Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee chaired by The Nationals Senator Fiona Nash has handed down eight recommendations stemming from its inquiry into Rural and Regional Access to Secondary and Tertiary Education Opportunities.

 Senator Williams said he hopes the Government takes on board the need for a Tertiary Access Allowance for students who are required to move away from home to access tertiary education.

 "The committee believes $10,000 should be given to each student whose family must pay between $15,000 and $20,000 a year to send a child away to a tertiary institution, and this is just about every regional student. It is an extremely expensive exercise and some families just cannot afford to send their children to University.

 If there is the same or an equivalent course within 90 minutes by public transport the allowance would not be paid.

 I also congratulate the committee for asking the Government to investigate more student accommodation at universities and colleges.

 Unless we support opportunities for the many thousands of students from regional Australia, they will be denied the chance to further their studies, and Australia will be the poorer for having less doctors, dentists, accountants and other professionals", Senator Williams said.