Queensland’s universities see solid growth in first 2025 accounts

Solid revenue growth from students and the government fuelled a A$67 million (£35 million) boost to the coffers of Queensland’s universities last year, according to the first tranche of published financial accounts for the 2025 calendar year.

Six of the Sunshine State’s seven public universities finished the year in the black, sharing a surplus of A$533 million – more than half of it accrued by the highly ranked University of Queensland (UQ).

Revenue across the seven institutions rose by over 5 per cent to almost A$7.8 billion, largely because of a 7 per cent increase in federal government funding. Growth of 9 per cent and 13 per cent respectively in fees from domestic and international students also contributed, easily offsetting a 23 per cent decline in investment earnings, a 3 per cent increase in employee costs and a 5 per cent upturn in general running expenses.

International education earnings rose at all seven institutions, particularly UQ and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), partly because of a hike in average fees. Revenue from foreign students increased by about 14 per cent at UQ and 21 per cent at QUT, while overseas student numbers at both institutions rose by just 7 per cent.

Regional Queensland universities also increased their income from overseas students – particularly Central Queensland University and the University of the Sunshine Coast, whose international education earnings rose by about A$20 million each – in a sign that the fallout from federal government policies to contain foreign enrolments has largely bypassed the university sector since ministerial direction 107 was replaced in late 2024.

Griffith University was the only Queensland institution to finish the year in the red, posting a A$11 million deficit after writing off A$67 million in site preparation costs for the flagship “Arrivals” building at Griffith’s Brisbane South campus.

“As part of broader strategic reassessment to deliver long term financial sustainability, the university will not proceed with the construction of this building,” Griffith’s annual report says.

Spending on consultants, contractors and professional services declined marginally across the seven universities. UQ said its outlay on contractors and consultants had been reduced from A$99 million in 2024 to A$83 million in 2025.

“The university’s expenditure on contractors has largely been used to support the accelerated digital transformation programme, physical infrastructure projects and other temporary staffing requirements,” UQ’s annual report says.

Universities’ consultancy spending has attracted heavy criticism in a 30 March airing of the ABC’s Four Corners investigative programme. Queensland universities publish lists of their consultancy expenditure over A$10,000, but with little detail on the amounts or purpose.

That could change, after education minister Jason Clare vowed to force university governing bodies to publish details of consultancy spending including its “purpose, value and justification”.

Universities in Queensland and Western Australia (WA) are usually the first to reveal their financial accounts. This year, however, accounts from WA’s four public universities are not due to be published before early May.

john.ross@timeshighereducation.com