Reports University of Southern Queensland had let 105 staff go, with more job cuts coming

After back-to-back deficits, a regional Queensland university has started laying off workers. Dozens of support staff have already been let go, and academics and teachers could be next in the firing line.

Generic photos of University of Southern Queensland campuses. Picture: Supplied

There are reports 105 University of Southern Queensland staff have been laid off in the past month, with dozens more employees still in the firing line.

The National Tertiary Education Union has revealed the figure, while the university declined to comment.

Of the 105 affected staff, 78 were made redundant and 27 were given a pre-retirement payout to leave their jobs early.

The change amounts to about 6 per cent of the university’s 1795-strong workforce.

It is understood that most of the positions that have already been made redundant were in student support roles.

Meanwhile, documents outlining proposed cuts to the academic staff numbers in the Business, Education, Humanities and Communication Schools have also reportedly been released.

These “change proposals” are the first steps in consulting with work units that are likely to be subject to job cuts.

NTEU UniSQ branch president Andrea Lamont-Mills said the union had pushed for more clarity on exactly how many people would lose their jobs.

“While there are 78 redundancies, we don’t know how many people are on contracts that won’t be renewed,” she said.

“We also understand that casual appointments are being heavily scrutinised and that most work units’ casual budgets will be significantly cut next year.”

Prof Lamont-Mills said the bulk of the confirmed redundancies came from professional roles that supported students and academic staff.

“The union is working with impacted members trying to fight back and save jobs but it is a difficult task when the union is unaware which work unit is next,” she said.

The university has been running back-to-back deficits for the past three years, amounting to about $75 million.

The looming job cuts and poor financial performance led to the 170 union members voting to pass a no-confidence motion targeting then-Vice Chancellor Geraldine Mackenzie.

Professor Mackenzie has headed the university’s executive team for the past seven years but resigned within days of the no-confidence motion.

At a fiery staff meeting two weeks ago, the executive told staff it was looking at a range of cost saving measures including bans on non-essential overseas travel, a reduction in vehicle allowances in remuneration packages and cuts to catering for internal events.

Acting-Vice Chancellor Karen Nelson told the meeting the deficit was the result of cost of living pressures and a sharp drop in international student enrolments.

Prof Lamont-Mills said staff left the meeting feeling frustrated and let down.

“Members are reporting that they want to see the University Council front staff and explain what has happened,” she said.

“The council is ultimately responsible, it has approved the executive’s spending and decision making.”

A UniSQ spokesman said total number of redundancies would be determined though ongoing consultation and would be communicated the process is finalised.

“The university continues to work through change proposals to ensure its long-term sustainability,” he said.

“All change proposals involve consultation with staff.

“The outcomes of each proposal will be communicated transparently when feedback has been considered and as processes conclude.

“Casual staffing levels are under review as part of cost-saving measures.

“Many casual roles remain critical.”

It also appears unlikely that the council will address staff directly, with the spokesman saying also staff engagement would be through the Vice Chancellors’ executive.

“The Acting VC and Executive are leading these changes with the full support of council,” he said.