The Australian National University reports a $45m operating deficit for 2025, less than half the feared $100m shortfall that management used to make the case for the now abandoned Renew ANU savings strategy.
Management is also sticking with its plan for a 2026 balanced budget.
Chief Financial Officer Michael Lonergan reported the lower loss in recently-released minutes of the university Council’s February meeting. The news was greeted by opponents of Renew as evidence it was always unnecessary. However, Mr Lonergan cited salary and other savings last year as reasons for the result, plus lower than expected research expenditure. There were also unbudgeted donations.
But it had still taken a couple of goes to convince Council’s audit, finance and risk committee that the budget is achievable, “being updated to incorporate discussions and recommendations.” And Mr Lonergan warned of a “forecasted ‘soft’ “start for first semester enrolments, confirmed by last week’s HELP Census, which the university reports recorded a reduction of “around” 300 continuing students.
ANU did not respond to FC on the gap between this decline and the budget target, although observers suggest it could be around 500. Whatever the number, Mr Lonergan told Council the university will offset the loss by second semester with measures, “including differential pricing and pathway programmes.”
However, Council was not entirely convinced, with the minutes recording “concern” about meeting revenue targets, “particularly in relation to student numbers.”
Council approved the budget but called for Interim VC Rebekah Brown and colleagues to explore funding “to achieve required growth in revenue, including in student enrolments and research.