The hidden workforce behind education needs better oversight

The latest government report into Australia’s university workforce operations has highlighted key areas in need of urgent reform.

Mark CoyleAugust 31, 2026Last Updated: August 31, 2026

0 4 minutes read

Without reliable workforce data, leaders have less visibility over where expertise sits. Image: iStock/Galeanu Mihai

When the NSW Auditor-General released its 2025 report into the state’s universities, much of the attention landed on one figure: $217 million spent on contingent labour and contractors in a single year. This level of spending reflects how embedded external and flexible workers have become in the delivery of university teaching and operations.

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