December 19, 2017

Higher Education funding cuts

UOW responds to mid-year economic and fiscal outlook cuts. 

For some months the University of Wollongong (UOW) has been modelling potential funding reform options in anticipation of a likely announcement by Government in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) statement today (18 December 2017).

The funding freeze announced today represents a significant funding cut that will present challenges for UOW—along with the rest of the higher education sector—but is within the range of what the University had anticipated and been preparing for.

Although the University is concerned by the reduced student loan repayment thresholds, which will mean graduates have to begin repaying their student loans sooner after graduating and starting their careers, UOW is pleased current student co-payment arrangements remain unchanged.

The University will continue examining the cuts in more detail over the coming weeks to determine their impact and what measures may be necessary in response.

Despite these changes, our focus will remain on helping our current and future students enrol and successfully complete their tertiary qualifications to become the highly sought after, career-ready graduates UOW is renowned for.