University annual reports were tabled in State Parliament on Friday. The overall results mostly point to post-pandemic positives.
CQU’s consolidated net operating result was $27m, on revenues of $588m, similar to the 2024 rate of return on $545m. The university acknowledges “volatility in student demand, economic pressures and policy uncertainty,” which it responded to, in part, with “considered decision-making” and “strong political advocacy.”
Griffith U revenue from continuing operations was up 4 % year on year to $1.22bn with expenses increasing by 6 % to $1.23bn, for an $11m net loss. Course fees and charges were up marginally to $286m with just under $260m paid by on-shore internationals. Staff costs were down 1.4 % (nearly $10m), “a result of lower staff FTE.”
“The university continued its medium-term plan to deliver and maintain an ongoing financially sustainable position,” is the message.
James Cook U’s consolidated account includes income of $725m and total operating expenses of $665m for a $55m net result. The university earned substantially more in fees and charges ($273m) than from Commonwealth grants, $233.8. Some $122m came from the Singapore campus which produced nearly half of the university’s surplus.
The university reports it has moved from “a significant deficit” in 2025 to a small underlying surplus in ’25. It attributes the change to, “disciplined financial management, cost containment measures and the early benefits of stabilised enrolments.”
QUT
With Chancellor Anne Sherry, QUT’s ever-understated VC Margaret Sheild reports a “significant” financial performance, including the first underlying surplus from “core operations” since 2021. Revenue was up 5 %, to $1.4bn but expenses were stable (up 0.6 %, to $1.27bn). Final staff numbers are not reported, but overall costs barely moved, from $694m to $700m. Internation students generated a big result, with numbers up 400 to a just over 10 000 and income (“fees and charges”) increasing by 15 % to $358m.
Uni Queensland
Total income from continuing operations was just under $3bn last year, $2976m compared to $2830m in ’24 for an operating result of $284m. The margin was marginally down on 2024, largely due to $46m more in admin costs and $87m in wages.
As ever, however, VC Deborah Terry, gets the tone right, thanking the “remarkable people who make up the UQ community …“their talent, dedication and shared commitment to delivering for the public good are at the heart of everything we do, and it is a great privilege to work alongside them.
The university appears to have read the politics of international student numbers and did not go for post pandemic growth, with numbers stable at just under 40 % since 2023. But what they paid increased from $791m in ’24 to $906m last year. Total domestic EFTS were up around 2000.
Uni Southern Queensland
Plays it straight – listing a 15 % fall in student headcount over four years under “highlights." “A modest EFTSL rebound in 2025 suggests stabilisation,” is the message for optimists. However the university reports a better continuing operations result, turning a $28.3m net loss in 2024 to a breakeven result ($407 000 positive). This was due in considerable part to a $14m cut in staff costs – with EFT numbers down nearly 10 % year on year.
Uni Sunshine Coast
After 29 years, USC cracked the 20,000 barrier FOR students last year, (13,000 EFTS). With campuses in its regional heartland north of Brisbane, as well as interstate outposts, Adelaide had a blinder, increasing enrolments ten-fold on 2024, to 770. So did the budget team. Operating revenue was up 12 % to $455 while outlays increased 8 % to $413m.