Widespread job losses and course cuts across Australian universities are reshaping the country’s higher education landscape. Vice-chancellors cite financial strain and policy confusion, while critics point to governance failures and underfunding.
Australia’s tertiary education sector is undergoing significant restructuring, with more than 15 universities reducing courses, consolidating departments and shedding staff. The changes come amid broader concerns about declining government investment and the long-term sustainability of higher education institutions.
The decisions have raised alarms across the academic community, particularly over the future of arts, humanities and language disciplines, which are facing some of the steepest cuts. The reductions affect both regional and metropolitan universities, altering the academic experience for thousands of students.
Restructuring Affects Almost Half of Australian Universities
At least half of the country’s universities have undertaken formal restructuring since 2023, according to internal documents and public announcements collected by The Guardian. More than 50 schools of study have been merged or closed, with hundreds of academic positions made redundant.
The University of Wollongong has cut courses in cultural studies, languages, archaeology and linguistics, while the University of Tasmania is merging its humanities and social sciences departments and removing its German language programme. Southern Cross University has discontinued undergraduate degrees in music, art, design and digital media.
At the Australian National University (ANU), the “Renew ANU” strategy has led to the proposed closure of the School of Music, the Centre for European Studies, and the Australian National Dictionary Centre. According to Vice-Chancellor Professor Genevieve Bell, the institution is navigating an “incredibly challenging period” and cannot continue “living outside our means”.
Nationally, approximately 847 staff have already lost their jobs. Projections shared by universities suggest that by 2027, up to 2,400 jobs will be cut across 15 institutions — equivalent to 1.6% of the current workforce, according to the Department of Education.
Governance and Policy Settings Under Renewed Scrutiny
Universities Australia, the peak body for the sector, attributes the situation to “chronic underfunding” and a decade of inconsistent higher education policy. CEO Luke Sheehy said institutions are being held back by unclear policy directions and reduced research investment, which has reached record lows.
According to the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), the root causes lie deeper in executive decision-making and structural governance. President Dr Alison Barnes described the strategy as “shortsighted” and said it reflected a broken system where university leaders operated with little accountability.
Some institutions, including the University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University, have paused student enrolments or published proposals outlining major curriculum cuts and departmental mergers. The government’s controversial Job-Ready Graduates (JRG) package, which raised student fees for humanities degrees, is also under fire, with multiple vice-chancellors urging its removal.
Education Minister Jason Clare has promised a review of governance practices and executive pay, stating that stronger regulatory powers will be introduced. In the meantime, hundreds of courses are being withdrawn, leaving both students and staff in a state of uncertainty.
