University of Wollongong Announces Major Job Cuts: Over 270 Non-Academic Staff Affected

Job Cuts at the University of Wollongong

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has revealed plans to cut up to 10% of its non-academic staff, equating to approximately 180 jobs in the latest round of redundancies. This decision is part of a larger restructuring effort, bringing the total job losses this year to around 276.

In January, the university had already confirmed the elimination of 91 full-time equivalent academic positions due to a $35 million revenue drop. This financial strain has been attributed to federal visa and migration changes, which have significantly impacted international student numbers.

University of Wollongong has campuses around the world but is under pressure over staff cuts in Australia.
(ABC Illawarra: Justin Huntsdale)

The university's statement highlighted that UOW is facing significant financial challenges due to the changes in visa processing and a sharp reduction in international student numbers. In addition to job cuts, UOW plans to reduce its faculties from four to three and the number of schools from 18 to 11, aiming to save between $22 million and $26 million.

Union Concerns

Troy Wright, representative from the Community and Public Sector Union, criticized the handling of the cuts, stating, "The communication wasn't complete, it was sent late, and many were left wondering if they were affected or not." He accused UOW of breaching its core functions, emphasizing the university's role in providing education and research relevant to the Illawarra region.

Student Reactions

Concerns have been raised among students regarding the impact of these cuts on their education. Hiba Shahbaz, a Bachelor of Communications and Media student, noted increasing unrest on campus, mentioning rallies and fears that critical courses may not be offered due to staffing reductions.

Antonios Tzamouranis, an elected official with the Wollongong University Students Association (WUSA), expressed frustration over the lack of consultation with students concerning the cuts. He stated, "There has been virtually no consultation with us regarding how the university is managing these changes."