University vice-chancellors cash in with six-figure pay rises

Six-figure pay rises have been granted to some university vice-chancellors as financial reports reveal how universities are continuing to cash in on international student revenue.

University of Western Australia vice-chancellor Professor Amit Chakma has pocketed a six-figure pay rise.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

A new university vice-chancellor has joined the million-dollar club after pocketing a $153,000 pay rise, despite public pressure to cap executive salaries.

University of Western Australia vice-chancellor Professor Amit Chakma was paid $1,031,000 in total remuneration in 2024, compared with $878,000 in 2023, including accrued holidays and long-service leave.

The pay rise is 50 per cent higher than the average Australian wage of $100,000.

His ordinary salary rose from $836,000 to $971,000 – a 16 per cent pay rise.

Professor Chakma boosted revenue from international student enrolments by 50 per cent last year to deliver a $112m surplus compared to $12m in 2023.

Queensland University of Technology vice-chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil pocketed a $120,000 pay rise last year, earning a base salary of $1.138m, compared to $1,018,000 in 2023.

QUT vice-chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil. Picture: Russell Shakespeare

Her total remuneration of $1,169,000 was $29,000 less than her total package in 2023, when she was gifted a $151,000 bonus despite the university’s $20.7m loss.

On the top of her base salary, Professor Sheil was paid $31,000 in superannuation last year, compared to $29,000 in 2023. She delivered a $73m operating surplus for QUT last year, after curbing costs and boosting international student revenue to $281m.

The 2024 annual reports of 10 universities, tabled in the state parliaments of Queensland and Western Australia, reveal some vice-chancellors have had their salaries frozen or shaved in the face of a public backlash against million-dollar salaries paid to university leaders during the nation’s cost-of-living crisis.

But the chancellors of Australia’s 39 public universities are pushing back against a bipartisan push to cut their wages.

The Albanese government has set up a governance committee to oversee universities’ executive salary deals, while the opposition wants the Remuneration Tribunal to set vice-chancellor pay.

The federal election interrupted a Senate inquiry into a private member’s bill from Senator Jacqui Lambie that would cap vice-chancellor’s pay at $430,000 – in line with the federal Treasurer’s salary.

The University Chancellors Council, however, has warned that salary caps will “undermine universities’ capacity to attract and retain the talent and expertise needed for these critical roles’’.

“If Australia is committed to global competitiveness in research, innovation and education, ensuring our university leadership is of the highest caliber must be a priority,’’ the UCC has told a Senate inquiry into university salaries.

“Imposing legislated pay caps is not an effective solution. Pay caps fail to account for university size and complexity, treating all institutions the same regardless of revenue, student population or international standing.’’

The UCC said pay caps would “reduce the incentives for leadership excellence’’.

“It increases risk of non-salaried and non-financial methods of remuneration, adding pressure on governance, and potentially exacerbating public concern,’’ it has told the inquiry.

At the University of Queensland, vice-chancellor Deborah Terry’s total remuneration was trimmed by $5000 to $1.154m in 2024, although the university does not publish her base wage.

UQ delivered an enviable $401m surplus last year, compared to $277m in 2023.

University of Queensland vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Terry took a $5000 pay cut – but still earned more than $1.15m last year. Picture: Glenn Hunt

At Griffith University in Brisbane, vice-chancellor Professor Carolyn Evans was paid total remuneration of $981,000 last year, compared to $974,000 in 2023.

“The 1 per cent increase relates to recreational leave balances as the vice-chancellor did not receive a salary increase in either reporting period,’’ the report states.

Professor Evans’ base salary was $781,000 in both years.

In WA, Murdoch University vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Deeks earned between $870,000 and $880,000 last year – up from the 2023 range of $860,000 to $870,000.

Curtin University published a total remuneration range of $1m to $1.1m for vice-chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne for both 2023 and 2024.

At James Cook University in Townsville, the salary range for vice-chancellor Professor Simon Biggs remained unchanged at $840,000 to $855,000.

At the University of Southern Queensland, former vice-chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie – who quit late last year after a staff rebellion over her cost-cutting plans – appears to have had her pay cut from a range of $690,000 to $705,000 in 2023, to a lower range of $615,000 and $629,000

Universities in NSW and Victoria are expected to table their ­annual reports next month.