VC Linda Kristjanson tells staff, “we have done all that we can to cut costs” but more savings are needed

The university faces a $51m deficit this year, followed by the same in 2021 and ’22. To address the losses, it will consult on voluntary redundancies for fixed-term and continuing academics, professional staff, plus pathways and voced employees.

“We have initiated consultation on voluntary redundancies because this option provides an opportunity for participation and shared decision-making,” the VC says.

And if VR’s don’t do it; “there is a possibility that involuntary redundancies may be required in coming months to meet the changing environment we are now facing, including significantly reduced student numbers and less capital investment.”

“We hope that this is not the case, but it is important that we are honest about this future possibility,” Professor Kristjanson adds.

In their new analysis of COVID 19’s impact on universities Frank Larkins and Ian Marshman estimate Swinburne U derives 21 per cent of revenue from international students but suggest it “delivers a significant proportion of its international student programs offshore and this may moderate its financial vulnerability.”