New Western Sydney University vice chancellor takes aim at feds over ‘deeply unfair’ degree costs

The new Western Sydney University vice chancellor has taken aim at the “outrageous” cost of some university degrees, blaming the federal government’s “broken” funding system.

The new Western Sydney University vice chancellor has called out the Commonwealth’s course funding system as “broken”, with arts degrees set to surge in cost again, raising fears the price gap could threaten the nation’s social cohesion.

In releasing its university funding allocations for 2025, the federal government has revealed the cost of some arts, business and humanities degrees have been raised to nearly $17,000 a year – up almost $800 from this year.

The Commonwealth contribution for those degrees caps out at $1,286 a year, an increase of just $50 from the 2024 amount.

Distinguished Professor George Williams, who today (Monday) officially takes over the position left vacant by former Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor Barney Glover in December last year, said the cost students in those fields are being asked to bear is “outrageous”.

“The system is broken – it’s that simple,” he said.

George Williams is the new Vice Chancellor of Western Sydney University. Picture: Supplied

“We are pricing students out of their dreams and aspirations … in light of their income-returning potential, in light of all of the factors we should be considering, it’s deeply unfair.”

Humanities, communications and other social studies degrees more than doubled in price in 2021 under the job-ready graduates scheme, which in turn brought down the cost of teaching, nursing, mathematics and science degrees. However, the Australian Universities Accord review panel found the cost restructure under job-ready graduates has influenced only 1.5 per cent of students to change their degree choice, and has recommended the package be replaced.

Western Sydney University vice chancellor George Williamsis calling for a ‘fairer fee structure’.

Calling on the federal government to “go back to basics” in making the fee structure fairer, Professor Williams warned it’s not just those who do choose to take on an expensive degree and a hefty HECS debt who are affected by the current system.

“We’re dealing with people with crippling cost-of-living pressures who are genuinely concerned about their future, and to put this enormous price tag on their future ends up distorting their choices,” he said.

“The price is one of social cohesion. The best way of achieving social cohesion through universities is to open up opportunities, let people strive and realise their dreams.”

Welfare schemes to ease Gen Z’s financial struggles are top-of-mind for the new VC, with Western Sydney students “on the frontline” of the cost of living crisis.

A volunteer-run community pantry is opening up at Western Sydney University’s Kingswood campus this semester. Picture: Supplied

Their money problems are making the sector-wide issue of retention felt especially keenly at WSU, Professor Williams said. The university is now stocking a free community pantry at its Kingswood campus where struggling students can pick up fresh produce and pantry staples like milk, bread, rice and canned goods.

“Two thirds of our students are first in family to go to university, we have the highest number of students from a low-socio-economic background … our students re very directly feeling the pinch,” Professor Williams said.

“To be frank … (it is) a retention problem for the university as well.

“We can do everything we can to retain our students, but where they or their family are hit by these pressures it can be unsustainable for them to study.”