Wagga City Council signed an agreement with TAFE Riverina Institute and Deakin University to create and promote new "pathways" to Deakin courses, including business, accounting and nursing. It means students who have completed a certificate IV level or greater at TAFE Riverina could be allowed guaranteed entry to Deakin in areas relevant to their study.

Mayor Rod Kendall said often students at the start of their education are uncertain of their capabilities.

Location, cost and lack of choice have also been shown to contribute to a poor showing of regional and rural students in universities.

Councillor Kendall said of regional access to university, several local education opportunities were needed, suggesting even moving from Hay to Wagga could be a disadvantage for students.

"Potentially, having to uproot from your town is a big factor," he said.

There are also huge costs involved, which is why Riverina students could opt to go to TAFE rather than move to regional centres or the cities for university, Cr Kendall said.

He said if students decide university education is for them, the pathways framework would be there.

"This (agreement) will guarantee that they have that pathway. It will cater for a variety of people," he said. "It's another plank in the education offerings in the Riverina."

TAFE Riverina Institute director Kerry Penton said the entire point was to increase the employability of people in regional Australia.