Australia’s universities must rank as the nation’s most poorly run organisations.
The number of commencing full-fee-paying international students hit a record high of 215,000 in 2024, roughly triple the number recorded in 2005.
The total number of international enrolments also hit a record high of 499,371 in 2024, nearly triple the 178.806 total enrolments recorded in 2005.
As a result, fees paid by international students at Australia’s universities hit a record high of $15.7 billion in 2023-24, according to the ABS.
The $15.7 billion of international student university fees in 2024 were almost triple the $5.4 billion recorded a decade earlier in 2014.
Despite the record international enrolments and fees, one quarter of Australian universities reportedly struggle financially and have implemented cost-cutting measures.
“Thousands of jobs [are] on the chopping block as their finances reel from falling student demand and anti-migration policies”, reported AFR education editor Julie Hare.
“The combined effect of restructuring efforts at nine universities will slice about $650 million from budgets and mean the loss of at least 2,200 jobs”.
It is hard to take Hare’s complaint of “anti immigration policies” seriously when the latest data from the Department of Education shows that international student commencements and enrolments are at record levels.
International student arrivals at universities in February 2025 also hit a record high of 166,840. This was 19,860 (13.5%) higher than 2024 and 18,390 (12.4%) higher than the February 2019 pre-COVID-19 peak.
The reality is that Australia’s universities are struggling financially due to poor management and waste.
Vice-chancellor salaries in Australia are the highest globally and tower over those of other education professionals.
More than 300 Australian university executives earn more than state premiers.
Meanwhile, university wage theft is rife, with universities underpaying staff by over $400 million nationally.
The reality is that policymakers have colluded with the education sector to create a system that rewards university executives with large salaries to transform their institutions into low-quality, high-volume immigration mills.
- The Australian government offered generous work rights for student visas and prospects for permanent residency.
- Australian institutions lowered entry and teaching standards to attract international students.
The cash bonanza that followed has been pissed up against the wall, with universities continuing to cry poor and lashing out against non-existent migration cuts.
