Consultation has resulted in key changes to the proposal to change operations, but job losses are still imminent. Photo: UOW.
Senior level positions are set to be slashed at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in a bid to save on salaries, with more than 100 jobs still in the firing line, but the creation of a new executive role will go ahead, according to the latest revisions of an operational plan.
Thousands of submissions, and hundreds of staff attending workshops, have shaped the revision of UOW’s proposal to change operations and reduce recurrent costs by $30 million to ensure the sustainability of the institution.
A key point of contention throughout the process has been the inevitable loss of jobs as UOW looks to reduce staff, schools and faculties to find the necessary funds.
Ninety-one positions were made redundant at the start of 2025, with plans originally revealing up to 185 more were to follow.
This move was criticised by former students, unions and even Wollongong City councillors, who flagged concerns on the broader impact of the layoffs on the Illawarra community.
But that projection has now been reduced to between 100 and 124 full-time positions to be lost in the latest revision of the plan, which will generate annual savings of between 17 and 22 million dollars, with the remaining cost saving to be made through “reductions in non-salary spending”.
“I am deeply grateful for the thoughtful feedback and engagement we’ve received across our university community,” Vice-Chancellor and President Professor G.Q. Max Lu said.
“This is a difficult process, but the feedback from staff has helped shape a proposal that responds to current challenges while positioning us for sustainable growth and impact.”
Another change to the previous proposal was that there would be “fewer senior (level 10) roles across the organisation” however the inclusion of a new executive role being created remained in place.
The addition of the role was pitched as necessary to “unify faculty leadership”.
“Current portfolios are too large and functions too fragmented,” a UOW spokesperson said when the role was announced in March. “The proposed redesign will enable strategic co-operation and future-focused activity.
“When benchmarked against other universities the proposed executive structure aligns with standard organisational models and maintains an efficient leadership to staff ratio.”
Four faculties will still be consolidated into three.
But these decisions are not yet finalised, with job losses and financial figures, particularly within the university’s research portfolio, potentially still prone to change with a Revised Change Proposal for Research services being released separately on 4 August.
UOW continues to seek feedback on the revised plan until 4 August with the Final Change Plan to be revealed on 25 August.
A UOW spokesperson said implementation would be staged over a period of time and the university was “committed to supporting affected employees with access to counselling, career transition support, and financial advice”.
