The Roots of the Crisis: Decades of Marketisation

Australia's higher education sector, once a cornerstone of public good, has evolved dramatically since the late 1980s. The Dawkins Reforms, introduced in 1988 by Education Minister John Dawkins, marked a pivotal shift. These changes unified colleges and universities into a single national system, introduced the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)—where students defer tuition fees—and opened doors to full-fee-paying international students. Initially aimed at expanding access and aligning education with economic needs, this marketisation turned universities into revenue-driven enterprises. Over time, competition for students intensified, with institutions prioritizing enrolments over traditional missions of teaching and research.

By the 2000s, global enrolments doubled, and Australian universities aggressively marketed degrees worldwide. Domestic funding stagnated, forcing reliance on international fees, which now comprise about 25 percent of total revenue—equivalent to $22 billion in 2024 alone. This model promised growth but sowed vulnerabilities, as universities chased metrics like student numbers and rankings, often at the expense of sustainable operations.

Financial Strains Exposed: Deficits and Declining Funding

Today's crisis is starkly financial. A February 2026 report from Universities Australia reveals over 40 percent of universities operated in deficit for most of the past five years. Average funding per Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)—government-subsidized domestic spots—has fallen six percent in real terms since 2017, despite a two percent rise in CSP numbers to 623,675 in 2024. Recent budgets slashed an additional $900 million from student places, leaving 16,000 CSPs unfunded and 17,000 funded but undelivered.

Expenses surged eight percent in 2024, driven by wages as casual roles converted to permanent positions. Capital spending lags pre-pandemic levels, hampering labs and infrastructure. Regional universities suffer most, as they train vital professionals like nurses and engineers but lack the scale to absorb shocks.

These figures underscore a sector stretched thin, with liquidity issues at 22 universities (current ratio below 1) and debt burdens rising.

International Student Dependency: A Double-Edged Sword

International education, Australia's fourth-largest export at $51.5 billion economically, props up the system. Enrolments hit 389,705 in 2024, rebounding post-pandemic, but policy shifts like visa caps (NOSC limits: 145,300 for public unis in 2025, rising modestly) and Ministerial Direction 111 threaten stability. China and India dominate, creating concentration risks.

Universities subsidize underfunded domestic teaching and research with these fees—spending more on research than received ($1.06 general funds per $1 research income in 2022). Yet, volatility from enrolment drops could trigger massive fallout, including 14,000 job losses if caps tighten further. For details on the sector's challenges, see the Universities Australia 2025 report.

Governance Failures Under the Spotlight: Senate Inquiry Revelations

The December 2025 Senate Education and Employment Committee report, chaired by Senator Marielle Smith, exposed systemic governance breakdowns. Corporatized structures mimic corporate boards, prioritizing finances over education. Key issues include opaque decision-making, conflicts of interest, and excessive executive pay—306 senior leaders earn more than state premiers.

Casualization affects up to 60 percent of teaching, fostering insecurity. The inquiry, drawing from 300+ submissions, highlighted eroded trust. Universities Australia and the Group of Eight endorse reforms, but implementation hinges on government action. Explore the full findings in the Senate final report.

• Review state legislation to refocus on public missions.
• Strengthen TEQSA oversight and monitoring.
• Mandate reporting on casual employment and teaching quality.

Case Studies: Job Cuts and Restructuring Ripples

Specific institutions illustrate the pain. The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) announced 160 academic and 200+ professional redundancies in late 2025, despite SafeWork NSW interventions for psychological harm. The Australian National University (ANU) faces 1,114 cuts; Western Sydney University (WSU) 400. Overall, nearly 4,000 jobs vanished in 2025, with hundreds more in 2026.

These aren't isolated: restructurings at nine universities slashed 2,200 roles and $650 million from budgets. Regional impacts hit hardest, disrupting workforce pipelines.

Stakeholder Perspectives: From Unions to Policymakers

The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) calls the Senate report a "watershed," decrying toxic cultures. Vice-chancellors defend strategies amid scrutiny, while experts like Hannah Forsyth argue managerialism tamed academics into a controllable workforce. Policymakers eye the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) for funding models. For historical context, read Forsyth's analysis in The Guardian.

Broader Impacts: Students, Staff, and Research Suffers

Students face rising debts, course cancellations, and fewer low-SES law entrants (down 20%). Staff endure demoralization; research stagnates as Australia's R&D falls to 1.7 percent of GDP—a 20-year low—with unis cross-subsidizing. Regional access erodes, threatening nurses and teachers.

Pathways to Reform: Solutions on the Horizon

Reforms demand sustainable funding via ATEC, governance overhauls, and diversified revenue. Managed Growth Funding aligns places with payments by 2028. Calls grow for democratic councils, reduced intl dependency, and public-good focus. Universities must reconnect with communities, prioritizing collaboration over metrics.

Photo by Eriksson Luo on Unsplash

• Increase CSP funding to match enrolments.
• Stabilize intl policies for predictability.
• Cap exec pay, boost transparency.

Future Outlook: Risks and Opportunities

Without action, more cuts loom amid AI disruptions and policy flux. Yet, opportunities exist: transnational education, research-led growth, and equity-focused funding. Australia's unis can reclaim their role as innovation engines if leaders prioritize missions over markets.