ABC media coverage on the use of consultants across the higher education sector is based on an incorrect report published in November 2024 by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).
The NTEU report falsely claims that our University spent $75 million on consultants in 2023, the highest in the sector. This is completely wrong. Our University spent $21.3 million on consulting and advisory services in 2023 - a figure that decreased to $18.3 million in 2024.
The NTEU misinterpreted data from our Annual Report, incorrectly grouping all expenditure reported under ‘Professional Services’ as consultancy costs. About half of that category relates to research grants, while the remainder covers specialist services such as campus security, cleaning services, recruitment, software management, and rental of additional research space.
The University’s financial information is independently verified each year by the Auditor-General of NSW.
Like many large organisations, the University on occasion engages specialist contractors and consultants to supplement our workforce to provide expertise not available internally or locally. This allows us to deliver complex projects efficiently and to the highest professional standards.
All engagements with consultants and professional service providers adhere to the University’s Procurement Policy and procedures, ensuring they follow a rigorous, competitive, and transparent process.
The University has provided ABC with the correct data. We acknowledge that the ABC has now published a correction on its website. We also call on the NTEU to correct its report immediately.
To be attributed to Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alex Zelinsky AO.
Related news
- Open Research Newcastle Launch: Free Access to University of Newcastle Research
- Long-spined sea urchin surprisingly not on the menu for large fish
- Twenty years of ResTech: Celebrating collaboration between Ampcontrol and University of Newcastle
- University experts part of new network to reduce reliance on animals in research
- Forming meaningful connections
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.