The Australian National University (ANU) has announced a pause on forced redundancies under its controversial Renew ANU program, while confirming that ongoing change proposals will proceed. This decision was communicated to staff via an email on August 20, alongside news of a second round of the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) set to open next week.
According to a media statement, the university has already achieved $59.9 million in savings towards its target of reducing salary costs by $100 million. However, six additional change proposals remain under consultation, with further savings anticipated. “We still need to keep reshaping our organisation and reducing our salary costs, but we’ll do this in other ways such as voluntary separations, recruitment controls, and natural attrition,” the statement read.
Background and Current Developments
The Renew ANU program has been a point of contention within the university community. The initiative aims to streamline operations and cut costs, but has faced criticism for its impact on staff and resources. ANU Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell emphasized the significance of these changes, stating, “Implementing a change of this scale is significant to our operations, our services, and most critically of all, our people and the fabric of our campus.”
Despite the pause on forced redundancies, Vice-Chancellor Bell confirmed that current change proposals and implementation plans would continue to be accessible through the Renew ANU website. “I acknowledge this has been a challenging period of change in our community, and it has raised questions about who we are, what we do, and how we deliver our national mission in the 21st century while being financially sustainable,” she added.
Reactions from Staff and Unions
The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from ANU staff and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). One staff member expressed relief that their job was secure for now, but noted ongoing concerns for colleagues still facing change management plans. “The relief that my job won’t be cut this year is only tempered by the fact that my friends and colleagues are still going through their change management plans and closed EOIs,” they said.
The NTEU welcomed the pause on forced redundancies but highlighted that eight restructures remain at various stages. Dr. Lachlan Clohesy, NTEU ACT division secretary, emphasized, “We still have eight processes in place, with more than 100 people currently facing the prospect of having their jobs cut.”
“This announcement gives no comfort to those facing the axe. The Vice-Chancellor needs to revisit those existing proposals, which include disestablishment of incredibly significant resources like the Australian National Dictionary Centre, the Humanities Research Centre, the Centre for European Studies, and the ANU School of Music.” — Dr. Lachlan Clohesy
Future Implications and Calls for Action
While the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, Marketing and Communications, Finance and Business Services, and People and Culture were initially flagged for change management proposals by October 31, these areas will no longer undergo formal organisational changes. Instead, they will consider what changes are necessary to meet financial goals or achieve operational efficiency.
Consultations continue for several divisions, including the Campus Environment Division and the College of Arts and Social Sciences. Meanwhile, implementation plans are already in place for divisions such as Planning and Service Performance and Information and Technology Services.
Looking ahead, there is speculation about potential change management proposals in 2026. Dr. Clohesy called on the Vice Chancellor to confirm that no forced redundancies would occur in 2026, regardless of their association with Renew ANU. “ANU has lost more than 1000 staff since April 2024, including those already gone and those proposed to go. It is misleading to only refer to forced redundancies when talking about jobs lost,” he stated.
NTEU ANU branch president Millan Pintos-Lopez urged a pause on all proposed redundancies until the outcome of the second VSS round and an investigation by the national regulator. “There are still over 100 staff members who don’t know if they’ll have a pay cheque this Christmas,” he highlighted.
Political and Community Responses
The ANU’s decision has been commended by independent ACT Senator David Pocock, who called for the abandonment of current change management proposals. He described them as “very damaging” and advocated for a “pause, reset and rebuild” approach.
“A pause, reset and rebuild is needed, alongside more transparency into the true financial position of the university and better governance. The priority must now be repairing the damage Renew ANU has inflicted and putting all efforts into rebuilding student numbers and earning back the trust of staff and students.” — Senator David Pocock
As the ANU navigates these turbulent changes, the focus remains on balancing financial sustainability with the university’s national mission. The coming months will be crucial in determining the long-term impact of the Renew ANU program on the institution and its community.
