The state auditor says they are in ok shape, for now

Queensland universities face a reduction in student fee revenue of $239m, due to the federal government cap on grants last year and this, and a drop in student fee revenue in 2020-2023 caused by splitting the school starting class of 2007 in two, one half under the old system, the other under the new one, which added an extra school year.

The state’s Audit Office reports universities have plans to make up the shortfall, including increasing international enrolments, but warns, “the concentration of students from a limited number of countries increases the risks associated with overseas competition.”

Overall the auditor finds universities revenues dropped last year while employees expenses grew however all universities are “financially sustainable”.  The Audit Office does point to James Cook U and CQU, which, “have a higher reliance on grant funding.”

In contrast, TAFE’s student numbers and resulting revenue are declining, without an equivalent reduction in expenses.  The audit reports, the system needs “ongoing” state government support, “to remain financially sustainable”.