The University of Newcastle has secured $2 million in Australian Government funding for new teaching facilities at its Ourimbah campus.

Funding has been approved by the Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, and will be available in 2009 through the Government's Capital Development Pool.

Professor Stephen Crump, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Ourimbah campus, said the funding would help the University cater for increasing student numbers.

"The University has forecast a doubling of student numbers on the Ourimbah campus by 2010," he said.

"We have recently introduced new programs in oral health and podiatry, and our sports science program continues to grow in popularity.

"We need to invest in general purpose teaching facilities, a new lecture theatre and more Information Technology teaching laboratories to meet this increasing demand.

"This funding will go some way towards the expansion project, but we still require additional money to fully realise our plans.

"We will continue to work with our stakeholders to secure support for our vision to enhance the educational experience at the Ourimbah campus."

The Ourimbah campus is a multi-sector campus which offers University, TAFE and Community College programs and courses.

The Ourimbah campus is a partnership of the University of Newcastle and TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute, affiliated with the Central Coast Community College and the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music.