The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has issued a report on Australian National University Financial Management (4 June 2026). The findings (five) and recommendations (three) are remarkably short and readable. This contains useful advice for any Australian university. ANAO found the university's income is not keeping up with its costs, but there is no intimidate financial crisis. It suggests not relying on an increase in international student numbers. ANAO suggest proposals for change come with a business case.
In my submission to the Higher Education Review, I suggested no radical change was needed to how universities and vocational institutes do educaion in Australia. However universities need to be reminded their primary mission is to provide educated professionals for the workplace, and applied research for industry, supported by fundamental research. Addressing areas of need require universities to fund some programs and defend others, adding and shedding staff. Australia can double down on the use of online, blended, and mobile learning. This will not only provide a cost effective way to meet domestic needs, but also open up a new international market. AI needs to be incorporated in learning, but as an enabler, & a skill for graduates, but this required no fundamental change to the system.
