James Cook University cuts 17 more positions

A north Queensland university acting on major financial challenges has moved to cut costs by axing more positions across three campuses at Cairns, Townsville and Singapore.

Jobs at Cairns James Cook University are expected to be cut at Cairns, Townsville and Singapore schools. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

A major north Queensland university acting on major financial challenges has moved to cut costs by axing more positions across three campuses at Cairns, Townsville and Singapore.

The latest round of redundancies at James Cook University follow a radical streamlining restructure in which 145 jobs were slashed across three campuses in 2022 and the institution proposed another 30 job cuts in 2023.

Technical, support staff and academic positions have previously been the target of cost saving measures, however it’s understood the latest cuts will be made to the marketing roles focused on the recruitment of new students.

A total of 17 positions across JCU’s campuses in Singapore, Townsville and Cairns will be cut.

In August 2023 dozens of workers, academics and students gathered on the Cairns James Cook University library lawn to protest the proposed 30 jobs that will be axed within the university. Picture: Kristina Puljak

In a statement, JCU said a change proposal for the Marketing, Future Students and Admissions Directorate released earlier this month proposed the end to duplication of roles at JCU’s campuses in Townsville, Cairns and Singapore.

“The proposed changes will also deliver greater efficiencies, reduce costs, and realign functions between the teams working across JCU’s campuses,” a JCU spokesman said.

“The university is facing significant financial challenges, including softening domestic enrolments, the emergence of new participants in the tertiary sector, and increased competition, and there is a need to realign existing resources to deliver the services required to compete in the new higher education environment.

James Cook University vice chancellor Professor Simon Biggs. Picture: Brendan Radke

“JCU needs to respond to these challenges to ensure its financial sustainability.

“The proposed change will also ensure there is a clear focus on the recruitment of students to JCU across all campuses (domestic and international) and to realise the potential efficiencies that can be achieved through greater integration.”

In 2022 JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs flagged the selling of “lazy” university assets and demolishing of older buildings to reduce maintenance and service costs and in August this year the university closed down its Townsville CBD campus on Flinders Street.

“We won’t sell assets to cover our operating costs. If we sell assets it will be because they are lazy assets and they are not generating income,” he said at the time.

In August the government announced an overall international student cap for 2025 meaning new international student enrolments would be limited to 270,000 offshore enrolments following the passing of the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill.

For JCU, the capped number of students referred to as indicative student profiles, will be limited to 2200 enrolments, meaning there’s limited scope for growth of new overseas student commencements which numbered 1962 in 2023 in a recovery from the 2019 pre-pandemic figure of 1135.

Each international student pays about $40,000 per year in fees to JCU.

JCU joins institutions throughout the county including Australian National University and the University of Southern Queensland, both of which have announced job cuts this month.

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Originally published as James Cook University cuts 17 more positions