Melbourne Uni cuts 179 staff as it bleeds cash for fifth year in a row

Detailed summary

The University of Melbourne is planning to axe almost 180 jobs, saying its recent financial results are “disappointing and unsustainable” as it flags further pressure to come from…

The University of Melbourne is planning to axe almost 180 jobs, saying its recent financial results are “disappointing and unsustainable” as it flags further pressure to come from declining numbers of international students.

Staff across eight areas of the university have been informed of the “local change proposals” in recent weeks, with 179 jobs to go as the changes sweep across areas responsible for philanthropy and alumni relations, technology, financial planning and biomedicine.

The cuts, almost all of which affect non-academic staff, come after the university recorded a $124 million operating deficit last year, and it forecasts a further operating deficit this year – the fifth consecutive year in the red.

“[Last year’s result] is equal to a 3.7 per cent operating deficit, which is both disappointing and unsustainable,” a university spokeswoman said.

“The landscape has evolved considerably over the past few years … this includes the changes affecting international students, which have put considerable financial pressure on universities across the country.”

She said the proposed changes were made with careful consideration, with formal consultation with affected staff still under way, and the university remained committed to its core academic mission while supporting its people.

Monash University higher education policy expert Andrew Norton said as of August 2026, international enrolments across Australia were down about 10 per cent on 2025 figures, and lower than in 2024 and 2023.

“As university revenue falls due to lower international student revenue this will inevitably cause job losses. More universities will announce cuts over the coming months,” he said.

On Tuesday, Deakin University acting vice-chancellor Susan Elliott said the university would consult later this month on a voluntary redundancy program.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Sydney Morning Herald. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.