Tertiary Union Takes Issue With Frequent Restructuring at Universities Amid Economic Disruption

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency is calling for more powers to improve university governance and better respond to system risks.

Students are seen at a university campus in Newcastle, Australia, on March 24, 2025. Roni Bintang/Getty Images

Serious failures in governance at several Australian universities are harming both staff and students, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.

Representatives from the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) raised concerns during an Education and Employment Legislation Committee hearing, pointing to entrenched governance problems at their universities, some of which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.