Universities excluded from wage subsidies

Universities are furious most will miss out on the federal government's wage subsidy scheme despite the fact they are registered charities.

The government has relaxed the rules around access to the $130 billion program for charities delivering frontline services throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

But universities that will shed thousands of teachers and staff during the crisis have been excluded from the arrangement.

"The special provisions of the 15 per cent loss of revenue was put in place for those charities who are delivering food parcels, who are delivering clothing, who are assisting the homeless at this time," Education Minister Dan Tehan said.

Universities are still able to apply for the JobKeeper scheme, which will see eligible employees receive a $1500 fortnightly payment, if they can demonstrate a much larger hit to their revenues.