ANU’s Transformation: Major Changes and Growth Plans Mark 2025

Major Restructuring at Australia’s Leading University

The Australian National University is currently in the middle of a 15-month ‘reset’ that began in October 2024, aimed at shifting the institution into a financially sustainable position.

The university council has directed a reduction in operating costs by $250 million over 15 months, with leadership acknowledging that job losses would be unavoidable, though efforts are being made to minimize redundancies.

Significant Changes in Academic Structure

Recent developments include proposed changes to the university’s largest student area, the College of Arts and Social Sciences, which serves over 5,000 undergraduate students. The restructuring includes plans to merge schools, with the School of Music being integrated into a new School of Creative and Cultural Practice. These changes could result in 63 roles being made redundant, 56 positions being moved, and six new roles being created.

Financial Challenges and Future Growth

Looking ahead, the Department has announced an increase in international student places for 2026, with 17,500 new places allocated for public universities. ANU plans to apply for additional growth allocation, with the government considering factors such as student accommodation access and engagement with Southeast Asia – areas where the university demonstrates strong capabilities.

Currently, ANU holds less than 3 percent of Australia’s commencing international student market share, with the university operating at 84 percent of its current allocation of 3,400 places for 2025.

Consultation and Implementation

The university conducted extensive consultations on the Renew ANU 2025 Change Principles between March 6-21, 2025, receiving 145 individual feedback submissions, an open letter signed by 434 staff, and additional feedback from the NTEU. The document outlined strategic and operational challenges faced by ANU and proposed responses, including design principles for the new University Operating Model.

The success of Renew ANU is centered on strengthening the University’s long-term sustainability, with a continued focus on refining the institution’s operating model – including the combination of people, roles, structures, processes, and technology that underpins value delivery.