Budget cuts announced by Treasurer Scott Morrison in December removed subsidies for clinical placements in such La Trobe courses as nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and social work.

The placements –  largely compulsory course requirements – will go ahead regardless, leaving La Trobe to pay for them by taking money from other areas.

Rob Stephenson, head of campus at La Trobe University Bendigo, hoped that situation could still be avoided and government money could be returned to the clinical placements program.

“We’re continuing to work through the process to see if we can get some changes to the situation,” he said. “We’re hoping there will be some consideration of the issues and the importance of regional students and universities.

“We’re having ongoing discussions with the government about the situation.”

Some 2000 of the Bendigo campus’s 5000 students study in the Rural Health School.

The government has defended the cuts, saying they would allow it to create up to 30 rural health training hubs, of which La Trobe could apply to be a part.

Mr Stephenson said La Trobe was preparing for significant building works at the Bendigo campus this year, which showed a “commitment” to the city.