Image: Western Sydney University / Source: Wikimedia Commons
In a tough move affecting hundreds of staff, Western Sydney University (WSU) has announced plans to cut up to 400 jobs due to a projected $79 million deficit for 2026. The cuts are driven by a sharp drop in student enrolments, putting the university’s finances under heavy strain.
Vice Chancellor Professor George Williams said the cuts were necessary for the university’s long-term survival. “Unfortunately, the University is facing further budget impacts for 2026 and beyond due to a further, large deterioration in our student load,” he explained in a statement.
Rising costs and dropping enrolments push WSU to make tough cuts
He also added that changes in student behaviour, with many undertaking fewer courses due to cost of living pressures, along with international student caps and increasing competition, had made it harder to maintain financial stability.
Originally forecasting a $6.5 million deficit, WSU now expects the shortfall to rise to a staggering $79 million by 2026. As a result, the university plans to reduce its staff by 300 to 400 positions, including cutting 120 vacant roles.
Additionally, 25% of its senior leadership team would also be cut.
“My salary and the pay of our senior leaders has been frozen, and we have placed strict limits on hiring, reduced travel and catering, and restricted the use of external consultants,” Williams said.
“I know this is about people and the real impact on people’s lives, and I feel a heavy responsibility in taking these actions,” adds Williams.
WSU joins UTS and ANU in facing financial crisis
WSU’s financial troubles follow similar announcements from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), which also revealed plans to potentially cut 400 jobs as part of a $100 million cost-saving initiative.
With the savings, UTS aims to get back on track to a $94 million surplus by 2029.
UTS Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Parfit admitted that the financial challenges facing universities across Australia are immense. “We’re working to recover from the impacts of COVID, and balance increasing costs and manage government policy changes that have reduced our funding” he said.
“I’m keenly aware this is a challenging time for our university and our staff and we are working to minimise impact as much as we can and to provide our people with all necessary support,” offered Parfit.
Meanwhile, the Australian National University (ANU) is also dealing with its own financial struggles, projecting a deficit of $140 million. The university has already made job cuts, salary freezes, and strict budget measures across various departments to address the shortfall.
ANU Vice Chancellor Genevieve Bell warned that without significant structural intervention, the university cannot remain financially sustainable.
ANU under fire for job cuts amid financial scandals
The ongoing job cuts at these universities have not been without controversy.
The National Tertiary Education Union described the job cuts as a “kick in the guts for staff.”
Union President Millan Pintos-Lopez criticised the move, saying it contradicted ANU’s recent investment. “In July 2023, ANU committed to a $16.75 million land purchase for a health precinct to house world-leading translational and research work,” he pointed out.
Over 800 ANU staff recently passed a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Julie Bishop and Vice Chancellor Bell over financial management concerns, including allegations that university funds were used to pay a business partner of Bishop’s as a consultant
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