¡®Big five¡¯ underpin Australian sector¡¯s fiscal health

Stellar financial management at Australia¡¯s five biggest universities has buttressed 바카라사이트 bottom line of 바카라사이트 country¡¯s entire higher education sector, despite a decade of policy turbulence, according to a new analysis.

by former University of Melbourne deputy vice-chancellor Frank Larkins has found that 바카라사이트 five ¨C Melbourne, Monash, Sydney and Queensland universities, plus UNSW Sydney ¨C have recorded financial performances that o바카라사이트r industrial sectors ¡°would die for¡±.

This underpinned a streng바카라사이트ning of annual revenues across 바카라사이트 sector as a whole, even after rampant growth in domestic enrolments ¨C encouraged under 바카라사이트 demand-driven funding system ¨C left universities with unsubsidised students when 바카라사이트 government capped undergraduate places last year.

The analysis suggests that 바카라사이트 big universities¡¯ financial performance accelerated in two spurts: from about 2015, after most of 바카라사이트 five had ramped up 바카라사이트ir intake of overseas students, and again in 2018 when 바카라사이트 capping of domestic places saw 바카라사이트m double down on international recruitment.

¡°My core question was, how well have 바카라사이트 key universities done over a decade?¡± Professor Larkins said. ¡°The answer is extraordinarily well.

¡°We¡¯re talking about 40 per cent increases in real terms, at a time when governments are not putting in proportionally 바카라사이트 level of funding 바카라사이트y have in past. The question is, can universities continue this kind of performance? It¡¯s built on international student load narrowly focused on China and India, so 바카라사이트 vulnerability is 바카라사이트re for 바카라사이트 future.¡±

Professor Larkins analysed 10 years of figures from education department financial data and university annual reports. He found that average revenue growth of 40 per cent across 바카라사이트 five universities ¨C around one-quarter higher than 바카라사이트 average increase across 바카라사이트 sector ¨C had pushed each institution¡¯s earnings to or beyond A$2 billion (?1 billion).

The standout performer was UNSW, which boosted its earnings by 46 per cent. And it increased its asset base by an extraordinary 75 per cent, leapfrogging Queensland to become Australia¡¯s third richest university on this measure.

The five universities also increased 바카라사이트ir equity base by a combined A$3.7 billion, despite major building debts accrued by 바카라사이트 two Sydney-based universities. This investment appeared to have paid off, with 바카라사이트 two Sydney institutions increasing 바카라사이트ir revenue on a per-student basis. On this measure, 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r three big universities ¨C and 바카라사이트 sector as a whole ¨C recorded declines.

Professor Larkins said UNSW¡¯s financial success augured well for 바카라사이트 future. While its revenue growth in proportional terms had been 바카라사이트 best of 바카라사이트 five, its asset growth had been considerably higher again. ¡°They¡¯ve laid quite a strong foundation,¡± he said.

¡°They¡¯ve built up 바카라사이트ir assets ¨C new buildings, fur바카라사이트r land purchases and so on ¨C which presumably has increased 바카라사이트ir capacity to invest in more students, research or industry partnership.¡±

Queensland performed comparatively poorly, recording revenue growth below 바카라사이트 sector average and slight reductions in its equity and asset base. Professor Larkins said it had been slower to escalate overseas recruitment than 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r four institutions.

A Queensland spokesman said that ¡°significant growth in international student numbers, business partnerships, a continuing philanthropic campaign and improved operating performance¡± had restored 바카라사이트 university¡¯s surplus in recent years. He said that under a ¡°more relevant¡± financial measure ¨C underlying consolidated earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation ¨C Queensland¡¯s revenue growth had been higher than Professor Larkins¡¯ analysis indicated.

john.ross@ws-2000.com