VC Deborah Terry reports a $24m surplus for 2020 – there’s another $85m in unrealised investment returns

And there is more good news. the university reports a 28 per cent “up-lift” on 2020 in domestic PG students accepting places and juts a 4 per cent drop in international acceptances on 2019. (Local UG numbers aren’t out until March 31.)

Which creates cash to spend on teaching. “I do understand that the better than expected enrolments, combined with the need to continue to teach many of our courses in both internal and external mode, is adding very significantly to staff workloads,” Professor Terry tells staff. “We are, therefore, making new funding available immediately to provide additional support for our teaching and learning programmes.”  Heads of schools are invited to submit proposals.

And there is a third win, a new research fellow scheme, using federal funding provided, “to ensure that we are able to maintain our research capability and pipeline through the pandemic.” “Additional funding” is also coming for the SAGE Athena Swan programme (gender equity in STEMM) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Strategy.

As for bad news, it can’t be unexpected. “It is likely that the pandemic will continue to impact us throughout 2021, given that international borders remain closed,” Professor Terry says.