The University of Sydney will clamp down on filling vacant roles and renewing contracts as the country’s largest recruiter of foreign students grapples with the consequences of the Albanese government’s migration crackdown and looming enrolment caps.

In an email to staff on Tuesday, vice chancellor Mark Scott said he “didn’t want to understate the seriousness of the headwinds we face”. He said all vacant roles – continuing, fixed term and contract – will be considered on a “case by case” basis whether they will be refilled.