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Transformation

We are transforming UOW to achieve financial sustainability after experiencing a drop in revenue in 2024 and countless external pressures that continue to impact our budget this year and into 2026.

While we’ve made progress stabilising our 2024 budget and reducing costs through the recent Teaching and Learning Change Plan, we must continue to reduce our costs and consider the work done across the whole university.

Workplace change - UOW Operations

Revised Change Proposal to support growth and efficiency

The University of Wollongong is undertaking a significant transformation to ensure long-term financial sustainability following a decline in revenue in 2024 and ongoing external pressures impacting our budget through 2026. While progress has been made in stabilising the 2024 budget and reducing costs through the Teaching and Learning Change Plan, further action is required to streamline operations and reduce expenditure across the University.

As part of this effort, UOW has released a Revised Change Proposal for UOW Operations, shaped by extensive staff feedback and consultation. The proposal outlines a reduction in recurrent costs of approximately $30 million, including a projected decrease of 100–124 full-time equivalent positions and annual savings of $17–22 million. Additional savings will be sought through non-salary cost reductions.

Key changes include the consolidation of faculties, the introduction of a new Provost role, and the implementation of shared corporate services. Core Library services will be maintained, and academic support functions will be strengthened. These changes are designed to enhance operational efficiency, support strategic goals, and position UOW for future growth.

Consultation remains open until 4 August, with the Final Change Plan scheduled for release on 25 August. Implementation will be staged over 12 to 18 months to ensure a smooth transition.

UOW remains committed to supporting affected staff and continuing to deliver high-quality education and research in alignment with our Vision 2035 and Strategic Plan 2030.

FAQs: Workplace Change - UOW Operations

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has commenced the next stage of consultation with staff in line with the requirements of our enterprise agreements. The UOW Operations Revised Change Proposal was released 14 July 2025.

The Revised Change Proposal represents a substantial evolution from the earlier proposal, influenced by more than 2,600 feedback submissions that were reviewed and considered, and staff workshops that were attended by over 700 people.

The Revised Change Proposal re-designs UOW’s organisational structure to strategically position its operations and faculties for growth and future sustainability. This will help provide a platform for sustainable growth and impact, with a focus on enhancing academic, research and corporate services, enabled by investment in digital systems and technology. 

The anticipated outcome of the initial Draft Change Proposal included a reduction of 155-185 FTE positions, saving $22-26 million annually. After staff consultation, the Revised Change Proposal reduces this to a loss of 100-124 FTE positions and annual savings of $17-22 million. These figures may change as consultations continue, including in the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Stream, which remains in Consultation Stage 1 until 25 July 2025. 

Key changes to the Revised Change Proposal include:

  • Fewer senior (level 10) roles across the organisation
  • Retention of executive and administrative support within divisions
  • All core Library services and functions maintained, with updates to delivery, resourcing and structures
  • Strengthened academic support for accreditation and curriculum management
  • The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) stream will be released on 4 August, but with an aligned Final Change Plan for 25 August with other streams

Strategic elements retained to drive UOW's future success:

  • New Provost position for unified faculty leadership
  • Consolidation from four faculties to three for improved efficiency
  • Enhanced Office of the Vice-Chancellor for strategic coordination and governance
  • Implementation of shared corporate services across the University
  • Reconfigured academic and student support services using a hub and spoke model

The University is working to the following timings: 

  • Complete:  Preliminary Phase: 3 – 14 February
  • Complete:  Stage 1 Consultation: Monday 24 March – Friday 30 May
  • Commenced: Stage 2 Consultation: Monday 14 July – Monday 4 August
  • Final Change Plan: Monday 25 August

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) stream will be released on 4 August, but with an aligned Final Change Plan for 25 August with other streams.

The University is working to the following timings: 

  • Complete:  Preliminary Phase: 3 – 14 February
  • Complete:  Stage 1 Consultation: Monday 24 March – Friday 30 May
  • Stage 2 Consultation: Monday 4 August – Monday 18 August
  • Final Change Plan: Monday 25 August

Core Library services will continue with updated delivery and resourcing and will become a central hub for student success—hosting the Academic Success Hub.

Offshore campuses are managed by UOWGE and do not have a direct impact on our cost base.  The financial pressure we face, namely decreased revenue, escalating costs and our cash balance, are specific to UOW Australia’s operations.

A Provost is the chief academic officer of a university and will provide unifying leadership of the faculties and drive execution of the University’s strategic objectives and academic key performance indicators.

The AskUOW student service model is proposed to be enhanced, with a focus on service innovation and enhanced coordination of student-facing information and services.

The Program Control Board (PCB) provides oversight and guidance for the transformation program. The PCB ensures alignment of Council-initiated reviews, 2030 strategy development, and 2024 budget remediation efforts with strategic objectives. It monitors progress, risk and issues, and facilitates decision making on behalf of the University Council.

Student input is key to effective changes.

We encourage students to read the regular updates at this page, and provide your input via . You will need to log in using your UOW username and password.

The survey is anonymous, however you can leave your details should you want to. You can submit feedback as many times as you like if you have multiple points you’d like to contribute, and pdf documents can be uploaded to support your feedback if you wish.  

Information and FAQs will be updated regularly in response to student feedback themes and questions. The DVCA will also be in touch with students via email, attend Student Advisory Council meetings, and meet with other student groups throughout the process.

You can provide your name in the survey if you would like to be identified, however individual responses will not be provided.

The University is also listening to and liaising regularly with the Student Advisory Council (SAC). So far this has involved:

  • Briefings on the transformation from Senior Executive and been invited to advise the University on consultation with the student community.
  • Information on student experience insights and participated in workshops to surface critical issues for students for consideration in the transformation process.
  • Facilitated questions from the student community being presented to the Transformation office.
  • The DVCA will continue to liaise with SAC and will be in touch with students regularly over the coming months to provide news and information about the process, and what they mean for students at UOW.

Student Representatives also provide valuable input via University committees. Examples include, but are by no means limited to:

  • University Council
  • Academic Senate
  • The Graduate Research Committee
  • Faculty Education Committee
  • The Faculty Research Committee

Workplace Change - Teaching and Learning

Following extensive consultation and feedback from staff, the University of Wollongong (UOW) has announced the final plan for changes to its teaching activities.  

The transformation aims to address the areas of unviable teaching activity and was made necessary because of a challenging financial outlook for the university, in part due to changes to Australian Government migration policy which contributed to a $35 million drop in revenue in 2024 and which will continue to impact UOW’s future budgets.