University staff overwhelmingly oppose the WA State Government’s plan to merge Murdoch University, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. We call on the government to withdraw this proposal and to instead enact real governance reform at WA universities in the interests of students, staff and the higher education sector.
TAKE
ACTION
Why We Oppose a Uni Merger in Western Australia:
- Staff at universities across the country have lived through mergers and restructures, and their experience is that these processes all too often bring job cuts and higher workloads, without solving governance problems.
- Promises that a merger will bring scale, better student outcomes and stronger research are not supported by the evidence. The new Adelaide University is 40% below its international enrolment target, leaving a $90m shortfall, with no sign yet of better research outcomes.
- The government has stated there will be no job cuts for two years after a merger, but what about after that? How will the government protect jobs when it is not the direct employer? How many jobs will be cut in advance of a merger? How many workers on casual and fixed-term contracts will be let go?
.
NTEU WA Division Survey on Merger:
Serious disruption and job cuts are staff’s biggest concerns.
A survey of university staff from across WA’s five universities on attitudes towards the merger between July and September this year (NTEU WA: “Have your say on WA Uni Merger”) found that opposition to a merger is decisive.
Around 69% of respondents are opposed to a merger, with opposition being strongest at the three affected universities.
Staff cited potential job cuts as a key concern, and pointed to the disruptive South Australia university merger precedent as a key reason why they oppose the merger.
Staff also raised concerns over the impact on teaching and research quality, and the negative impact of losing diversity in WA’s higher education system. We are committed to our students and our universities as public education institutions, and don’t want to see them put at risk by a disruptive merger.
We need real governance reform of WA universities that puts staff and students first
There are serious problems in the higher education system in WA and nationally. These include the funding model, enrolment numbers and completion rates – problems that successive federal and state governments have often contributed to over decades.
But a corporate merger is not the answer. The NTEU is calling for real governance reform of WA’s universities in the interests of staff, students and the broader community. This means tackling unchecked corporatisation, outrageous executive pay, the lack of democracy and transparency in the governance of these institutions, and the structural exploitation and underpayment of casual workers.
As a starting point, we need a state senate inquiry into university governance at WA, as has happened federally and in NSW.
A corporate merger will worsen these problems, not solve them. It will likely reduce choice and quality for students, result in an unknown number of job cuts, and give corporate interests an even greater hold on higher education.
Upcoming Events
Community Rally Against the Merger
Saturday 7 November 2026, 12pm-1.30pm.
Join university staff, students and the broader community on Sat 7 Nov at the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth City Centre to rally and march against the merger.
NTEU WA members meeting with Minister Tony Buti
Friday 20 November 2026, 12pm-1pm (TBC)
Education Minister Tony Buti will speak directly to NTEU members about the merger at our online meeting. Provision details are: 12pm, Fri 20 Nov (TBC). Register below.
The South Australian merger experience
Wednesday 2 December 2026, 12pm-1pm (TBC)
NTEU representatives from South Australia will speak to WA university staff at an online forum about the ‘Adelaide University’ merger experience (details TBC).