Broad blame for uni cuts
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Four Australian universities are set to cut nearly 1,000 jobs over the next year, driven by financial strain.
The University of Canberra (UC), Australian National University (ANU), James Cook University (JCU), and the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) have all attributed recently-announced cuts to urgent cost-saving requirements.
UC announced on Monday that approximately 200 jobs would be eliminated to save $50 million by the end of 2025.
Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker said redundancies are “inevitable”, despite efforts to leave vacant roles unfilled and let expiring contracts lapse.
“The university itself is responsible for this unsustainable position,” Professor Parker said, citing changes to domestic and international student enrolments as additional financial pressures.
He confirmed that cuts would affect all faculties and services, with implementation by mid-2025.
ANU has revealed plans to cut 650 roles as part of a $250 million savings plan by 2025. It also asked staff to forgo an agreed December pay rise.
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has criticised the university's handling of the situation, with ACT Division Secretary Dr Lachlan Clohesy labelling it “deeply traumatic” and calling for a federal inquiry into governance.
JCU will reduce its workforce by 50 positions, including 21 vacancies, due to financial difficulties.
Vice-Chancellor Simon Briggs said professional and technical services would be streamlined, representing a 4 per cent reduction in JCU’s professional workforce.
UniSQ has flagged potential job losses to address a $32 million budget deficit but has not specified numbers.
NTEU UniSQ Branch President Professor Andrea Lamont-Mills criticised the lack of clarity, noting that 60 jobs have already been lost, including nearly 40 per cent in one area.
The NTEU is demanding a federal inquiry into university governance, citing failures across the sector.
NTEU National President Dr Alison Barnes has criticised the lack of transparency, saying; “Staff are only finding out about problems at their universities when it is too late, and jobs are on the line”.
The union also condemned comments by ANU Chancellor Julie Bishop, who appeared to blame staff for the university’s financial issues, sparking calls for her resignation.
The cuts reflect broader financial struggles in Australia's higher education sector, worsened by declining international student numbers and rising costs.
These measures could significantly impact regional economies, as universities are often major employers.
The NTEU warned that additional job cuts at Central Queensland University could further exacerbate the situation.