The Four Corners Exposé Ignites National Debate

Australian higher education is under intense scrutiny following the latest Four Corners investigation, titled "Campus Chaos," which aired on ABC on March 30, 2026. The program delved into the financial turmoil gripping the nation's universities, revealing not only deep cuts to jobs and courses but also eye-watering executive remuneration packages. At the heart of the controversy is the disclosure that 20 vice-chancellors (VCs)—the chief executives of Australian universities—earned more than $1 million in total remuneration in 2024, according to an analysis of the latest annual reports. Some of these salaries exceed double the prime minister's earnings, which stand at approximately $600,000 annually, sparking outrage amid widespread staff redundancies and program closures.

This revelation comes at a time when universities face mounting pressures from declining government funding, volatile international student revenues, and ballooning debts. The episode highlighted how corporate-style decision-making has permeated public institutions, prioritizing short-term savings over long-term academic missions.

Breaking Down the Million-Dollar Salaries

The Four Corners team examined financial disclosures from 38 public universities, uncovering that VC pay has not only remained high but in many cases continued to rise despite sector-wide austerity measures. While exact figures for all 20 were not itemized in the broadcast, prior years' data and recent reports provide context: the University of Melbourne's Duncan Maskell surpassed $1.5 million in 2024, while leaders at Deakin University and the University of Canberra approached or exceeded $1.7 million in some instances.

Total remuneration often includes base salary, bonuses, superannuation, and non-monetary benefits like housing allowances or vehicle use. For instance, interim VC at the University of Wollongong, John Dewar, received $1 million pro-rata during his eight-month tenure in 2024, even as his firm secured a $3.8 million consulting contract from the university. This overlap raises questions about conflicts of interest in leadership roles.

Note: Figures based on annual reports and media analyses; exact bands often reported as ranges (e.g., $1M-$1.1M).

Financial Pressures Driving the Cuts

Australian universities operate in a funding model heavily reliant on international student fees, which plummeted during COVID-19 and face new caps under government policy. Public funding per student has declined by over 20% in real terms since 2012, adjusted for inflation. Debts have surged: the Australian National University (ANU) reported $600 million in deficits, prompting a $250 million cost-cutting plan without robust evidence, per a National Audit Office review.

Universities Australia argues these pressures necessitate tough decisions, but critics point to mismanagement. The sector's $1.8 billion annual spend on external consultants—equivalent to funding thousands of academic positions—has drawn fire. UTS alone paid KPMG $7 million for a report advising "triangle-shaped" structures, leading to 143 course cuts and 120+ staff losses.

Extravagant Consultant Spending Amid Austerity

Professor Corinne Cortese's analysis for Four Corners pegged consultant fees at $1.8 billion across 38 universities, shocking even experts. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare demanded transparency: "Who are they? What do they do? Why?" Examples abound:

• UTS-KPMG: $7M for budget advice criticized as superficial.
• UOW-KordaMentha: $3.8M tender won by interim VC's firm.
• 12 of 14 university councils feature Big Four consultants, accused of "infiltration" by Senator Tony Sheldon.

Academics like UTS's Paul Brown decried the reports as "cookie-cutter," relying on flawed data leading to arbitrary cuts.

Staff and Casual Worker Backlash

While VCs enjoy million-dollar packages, casual academics and professional staff face underpayments and redundancies. Charles Sturt University owed $4.7 million to 2,500 casuals since 2015; Australian Catholic University $3.6 million to 1,100. Unions report precarious employment, with PhD stipends as low as $20/hour while VCs out-earn global peers.

National Tertiary Education Union delegates like Fiona Probyn-Rapsey call it "garbage in, garbage out," where consultant data justifies mass layoffs.

Photo by Nk Ni on Unsplash

Past Attempts at Salary Caps and Rejections

The controversy isn't new. A 2025 Senate inquiry into university governance labeled VC pay "out of step with community expectations," recommending a remuneration tribunal to cap salaries above $1 million and scrutinize bonuses. Universities rejected modest proposals, like a $430,000 cap floated in one tribunal, insisting $1-1.3 million is needed for global talent. The final report reiterated calls for regulation, but implementation lags amid lobby resistance. Senate Inquiry Interim Report

Stakeholder Perspectives: Defenses and Demands

Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy defends high pay as competitive for managing $40 billion enterprises. VCs like UTS's Andrew Parfitt cite complexities from policy shifts. Conversely, academics, unions, and politicians decry largesse: "Overpaid and unaccountable," per the Australia Institute.

• Unions: Demand pay parity, no cuts without consultation.
• Government: Minister Clare pushes disclosure reforms.
• Students: Concerned about course quality amid savings drives.

International Comparisons and Benchmarks

Australian VCs rank among the world's highest-paid, surpassing Oxford/Cambridge counterparts ($500k-$700k USD) and many US Ivies. A global benchmark might tie pay to performance metrics like research output or equity, absent in current opaque packages. Australia Institute Report on VC Pay

Implications for Australia's Higher Education Sector

High VC pay amid cuts erodes trust, potentially deterring talent and funding. It exacerbates casualization (50%+ workforce precarious) and gender pay gaps. Long-term, it risks brain drain as early-career researchers seek better prospects abroad.

Potential Solutions and Reforms

Experts advocate:

• Independent remuneration tribunal with caps indexed to PM salary + performance.
• Mandatory consultant spend disclosures and bid transparency.
• Boost base funding to reduce fee reliance.
• Equity audits linking exec pay to staff conditions.

Government signals tighter oversight via the Australian Universities Accord implementation.

Photo by Adrian Curiel on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Restoring Balance in University Leadership

The Four Corners spotlight demands action. Transparent, accountable leadership could refocus universities on education and research missions, benefiting students, staff, and society. As debates intensify, Australian higher education stands at a crossroads.