You are here More Pages
About UOW

UOW Transformation: A message from our Vice-Chancellor

Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar AO addresses the financial challenges that the university is facing and the changes we’re making to be sustainable in the long-term

We are facing significant financial challenges and a period of unprecedented government reform.   

While we have taken some important steps to stabilise this year’s budget, these are not long-term solutions. To transform our university, achieve financial sustainability and lay the foundation for our future success, we must stop activities that are unviable and significantly reduce expenditure.  

As we seek to reduce our cost base over the next 12 months, we will be considering the work done in every part of the university – by both academic and professional staff. This will mean reducing both salary and non-salary costs in teaching and research. Our priority will be to preserve our areas of strength in teaching and research while ensuring that our students are able to continue to enjoy the high quality of their experience at UOW.  

As of 23 October 2024, we are commencing a preliminary phase of consultation in relation to potential workplace change. While the change we are initiating today primarily affects academic staff, there will need to be further change next year that will mostly affect our professional staff.  

Our goal is to complete this initial phase of the process in a considered and timely way, and ideally before the end of the year, so that staff can have certainty as soon as possible as to any potential impact.  

We are also undertaking work to assess any potential impact on students. We are committed to ensuring all our students can progress successfully in their studies, and personalised academic advice will be provided to any students whose study plan may be impacted.  

The decision to initiate this change process has not been an easy one. But we must make tough choices now to set the University up for a brighter future.    

Professor John Dewar AO
Interim Vice-Chancellor & President 

Revisions to the Change Proposal

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has entered the next stage of consultation with staff. The Revised Change Proposal outlines adjustments made in response to feedback received during the consultation period and aims to ensure our academic strength, the quality of our student experience, and secure the long-term sustainability of our institution. 

Faculty organisational structures

Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Faculty organisational structure (PDF)

Faculty of Engineering and Information Science

Faculty organisational structure (PDF)

Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health

Faculty organisational structure (PDF)

FAQs - Consultation Stage 2

Feedback in consultation stage 1 helped to ensure that the University is considering a range of staff, students and community issues and concerns in the Revised Change Proposal. 

The actions and outcomes from the feedback are outlined in the Revised Change Proposal. 

 

Consultation during Stage 1 has led to several amendments to the Change Proposal with the 25 disciplines originally identified as being in-scope, now separated into three distinct categories for Consultation Stage 2:  

  1. Further consultation required – consultation will continue with disciplines in relation to the proposal, with no substantive change to the proposal outcome. 
  2. Progress to resolution – in-principle agreement has been reached on necessary curriculum changes and/or FTE reduction to deliver viability. Further consultation will be undertaken with affected staff to reach a resolution.
  3. Finalised – agreement has been reached with affected staff through necessary curriculum changes and a sufficient number of expressions of interest for voluntary redundancies to deliver viability. Further consultation will not be required for these disciplines. 

Between 4 and 29 November 2024, we received thoughtful and constructive feedback from staff, students, and stakeholders. Key themes included: 

  • Data transparency and accuracy – concerns about the methodology and accuracy of data were addressed by reviewing viability assessments with affected disciplines, resulting in some corrections and clearer explanations in the proposal.
  • Impact on staff and students – feedback highlighted concerns about workloads, change fatigue, morale, and student experience. The Revised Proposal outlines measures to manage workloads and maintain quality while emphasising support through the Navigate Together initiative.
  • Implementation and process – suggestions included improving communication, phasing changes, and ensuring transparency in voluntary redundancy processes. These have been incorporated, along with stronger recognition of affected staff contributions.
  • Reputation and strategic alignment – concerns about reputational risks and future-proofing have informed adjustments to align changes with UOW’s strategic priorities and safeguard our long-term growth. 

Following constructive discussions facilitated by the Fair Work Commission, the UOW has reached an agreement with the NTEU to resolve two outstanding disputes regarding UOW’s ongoing Workplace Change Process. This resolution reflects our shared commitment to moving forward with clarity and collaboration as we navigate this process.  

The Stage 2 consultation period have been extended until 10 January 2025. This additional time will allow for further staff feedback and will enable affected staff to continue to contribute to the consultation process.  

In the meantime, UOW will continue to work closely with affected staff to make the necessary curriculum changes or reductions in staffing levels required to deliver viability moving forward. 

The Final Change and Implementation Plan will be released, and affected staff notified by 15 January 2025. 

 

FAQs for future UOW students

If a subject is impacted, we will be reaching out to affected students directly. The results of the consultation will be released on 20 December 2024. We will contact students from this date to discuss their options.

Any offer you hold to study at UOW in 2025 is still valid. If there is any significant impact to your offer course(s), such as major/specialisation or course availability, we will contact you and, in most cases, a suitable alternative will be provided. At this stage, you should plan to enrol and commence as normal. 

The results of the consultation will be released on 20 December 2024. If you are a sponsored student and your course or subjects are impacted, we will contact you, and your agent (if you are using one) from this date so that you can liaise with your sponsor accordingly. 

If you have a COE you should continue with the visa application process and plan to commence your UOW course in 2025. We will be in contact if your course is impacted by changes to subject, major/specialisation or course availability. If the impact is significant, and there are no appropriate alternative study options, you will be eligible to withdraw from your course with a refund for any tuition fees paid.  

FAQs for current UOW students

Students should contact AskUOW with any questions or concerns they may have.

If a course is impacted by this change, we will be reaching out to affected students directly. The results of the consultation will be released on 20 December 2024. We will contact students from this date to discuss their options.

Any credit for prior learning (CPL) you have been awarded will be counted/honored, however subjects you have received credit for may be replaced with alternatives. During enrolment, UOW will consult with you about subject availability and selection, and how this might impact your progression and expected course completion.

If your supervisor leaves the University, Faculty and Graduate Research School staff will work with you to identify and appoint an alternative supervisor so that interruption to your project is minimised.

If your supervisor remains with the University as an honorary staff member, Faculty and Graduate Research School staff will work with you and your supervisor to form an appropriate supervisory team so that interruption to your project is minimised.

The Graduate Research School and the Research Services Office will work to find a funding solution for your scholarship. You may be able to move university with the grant holding academic, or there may be other funding available at UOW. 

Every research project is unique and changing your research project is possible in certain circumstances, but would need to be carefully considered in terms of your accrued EFTSl, your progress to date, the degree of change etc. 

We will try to ensure that all outbound short programs can go ahead as planned. If your Project Coordinator is directly involved in this consultation process and there are any changes to your program we will liaise with you direct.

Information on the disciplines potentially impacted by the change are now available on the website. As we progress through the change process and can share more detail we will continue to communicate with students about any impacts to course or subject selection.

For any specific questions about subject selection, please contact AskUOW for advice.

We are committed to ensuring you can continue to progress successfully in your studies, and delivering the support needed for you to do so. Please reach out to AskUOW for additional support. 

UOW has a number of forums for students to give their feedback and thoughts. We work through these existing forums to ensure the voice of the student is heard and incorporated into our planning.

CSP funding will continue to be available and students may receive it subject to eligibility. We will work through this with students when details of impacts are confirmed.

The University remains committed to ensuring the wellbeing, health, and safety of our staff and students during this period. 

We remain focused on providing a high-quality learning environment which fosters academic excellence. We are committed to ensuring you can continue to progress successfully in your studies, and delivering the support needed for you to do so. If you require support, please remember that you can access a range of wellbeing services, including the UOW 24-hour Wellbeing Support Line.  

FAQs for exchange students

All exchange and study abroad offers to study at UOW in 2025 remain valid. If there is any significant impact on your study plan/subjects we will contact you and, in most cases, a suitable alternative will be provided.

FAQs for partner institutions and international teaching locations

Yes. UOW will be in contact with all partner institutions where there is any significant impact to course(s), including major(s) and specialisation(s) or subjects that form part of a formal agreement. 

The impact on programs delivered at offshore locations or campuses may vary depending on the specific teaching location and the regulatory accreditation requirements in both Australia and the respective offshore region. UOW will reach out to you directly in December 2024 with more information. 

If you have any additional concerns or questions, we encourage you to reach out to the appropriate contact person below:

  • For programs operating in Singapore, Hong Kong (SAR), and Dubai, please contact Amanda Hiron (amandaw@uow.edu.au).
  • For programs operating in China, please contact Lily An (huimin@uow.edu.au). 

No. Our offshore partners and campuses are not in scope for the initial phase of change.

FAQs for UOW College Australia students

On successful completion of your UOWC course you should expect to progress to UOW as planned, with any credit for prior learning outlined in the UOWC-UOW articulation arrangements.

If the UOW component of your packaged offer is impacted in any way, such as major/specialisation or course availability, we will contact you. 

Learn more

Information and support for staff (staff login required) Media statement