Although UTS describes the pause as a temporary action driven by sustainability concerns, state officials argue it could jeopardise the supply of qualified teachers in both the short and long term.
At present, UTS has frozen new admissions for more than 120 programs, including primary and secondary teaching degrees, causing confusion among staff and policymakers. This decision comes at a time of significant growth in enrolments. Numbers have increased from 149 full-time equivalents in 2018 to a projected 431 by 2025. The reintroduced primary teaching course, which returned last year after a long break, has grown from eight students to 45 within a single year. Despite this rising interest and strong satisfaction scores, the university's leadership maintains the programs are still not financially viable.
Further complicating the situation is a large-scale cost-cutting plan led by consultancy firm KPMG. The strategy aims to deliver a $94 million budget surplus by 2029, and the university has already spent nearly $5 million on this initiative. As part of the plan, up to 400 jobs could be cut. Critics within UTS argue that financial models used to support these cuts rely on outdated data and fail to reflect improved performance in newer academic programs. Internal faculty reporting shows steady growth and continued demand for teacher training pathways.
The core concern is whether pausing enrolments will protect students from future disruption or deter urgently needed candidates from pursuing a teaching career. State education leaders argue the timing is especially harmful, as it conflicts with new federal initiatives aimed at attracting more entrants into the teaching profession. The uncertainty around UTS's plans risks undermining both state and national efforts to address staff shortages in schools.
UTS has stated that no final decision has been made regarding the future of these courses. However, with growing pressure from state authorities and academic staff, the university may be compelled to reassess its cost-benefit analysis in light of Australia’s evolving education needs.
