University of Newcastle returns to positive core operating result in 2025
The University of Newcastle’s Vice-Chancellor has today shared the university’s 2025 financial results with staff.
In sharing the results with staff, the Vice-Chancellor recognised the challenges faced by staff during 2025 and looked to the future.
“2025 was a challenging year for many across our University community. We recognise organisational change affected staff and teams last year as we navigated a Business Improvement Project to make our core operations financially sustainable,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“These decisions were not taken lightly. We’ve now achieved our first core operating surplus since 2021, which is an important milestone that places us in a stronger position to now rebuild and invest in the things that matter most - our students, staff and communities.”
In 2025, the University reported a Consolidated Operating Surplus of $112.5 million and a Core Operating Surplus of $15.4 million. As the University is a not-for-profit organisation, these funds are reinvested into student, staff and community services, initiatives and facilities.
The result was supported by strong growth in international student numbers, continued strong domestic student numbers and improved retention, and operational efficiencies delivered through the Business Improvement Program.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said the return to a positive operating margin strengthened the University’s capacity to invest in its future.
“Across the sector we’re seeing how challenging things are at the moment and, while we've weathered significant challenges, our result now positions us well for the future.
“While our 2025 Annual Report outlines important progress towards long-term financial sustainability, the broader higher education sector continues to face ongoing uncertainty.
“We are operating in an inflationary environment and can expect operating expenses to continue increasing, alongside insufficient public funding for critically-important public research, increased regulation of student numbers through the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, increasing competition, and investment returns that could be softer.
“These factors mean the University is facing an environment that will require prudent management. I am confident that by working together with our teams and with our communities we can overcome these challenges.”
“We want to be a strong university that provides opportunities for people in our region to study, work and be part of life-changing research,” Professor Zelinsky said.
“When I look back on 2025, despite the challenges, I also want to recognise some of the achievements. We now teach more than 39,000 students, our student satisfaction continues to improve strongly year on year, and women now represent almost 40% of senior academic positions, up from 33.5% five years ago.
“We’re also working to provide more desperately-needed accommodation for our students, with construction commencing on the City Campus student accommodation, which will provide an additional 445 student beds in the heart of the CBD.”
The University’s annual report will be available on the university’s website after tabling in NSW Parliament this month.
Related news
- University of Newcastle returns to positive core operating result in 2025
- Cancer Institute Fellowship supports quest for greater understanding of DIPG triggers
- Team sport the MVP for kicking kids’ mental health goals
- Blueprint for FEE-FREE Uni Ready courses unveiled
- University of Newcastle officially opens new Gosford building
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.