This year has been big for Western, not all for the right reasons. From cyberattacks and job cuts, to conversations about international students, the University community is growing increasingly concerned.
Personal Information in jeopardy:
On the 23rd of October 2025, Vice-Chancellor George Williams issued a public notification advising Western members about actions they should take and the personal information that may have been leaked during a cyber-attack.
Western graduate Mikayla King said the University’s response to the cyber attacks felt vague. Western student and W’SUP News social media officer Sofia Tripodi spoke about the impacts: ‘I haven’t even entered the full-time workplace, and my Tax File Number was compromised, my identity unconfirmed, stolen, and my credit in danger. These are very real and very scary consequences, so why has this big university been inadequate in its response and unwilling to give clear answers or compensation?’
The University initially released a statement about the cyber-attacks on the 31 July 2024. In June 2025, New South Wales Police Force officers arrested and charged former Western student Birdie Kingston in relation to hacks police allege began in 2021. Kingston allegedly first accessed University servers to obtain free on-campus parking as reported by the ABC on the 27th June 2025.
Are International Students Under Attack by the University?
The Guardian reporter Caitlin Cassidy reflected on an essay Vice Chancellor Williams wrote with Australia Institute Press – ‘Aiming Higher: Universities and the future of Australian democracy’. In the essay, Williams reflects on the University’s treatment of domestic and international students, stating: ‘I’m actually comfortable with different levels of international students, it depends on your mission. But what I’m uncomfortable with is where that’s at the expense of domestic students.’
The University published a media release on February 15th, 2025, celebrating the opening of a Suburban Study Hub in Fairfield. The University describes the suburb’s diverse population noting more than half of Fairfield’s residents are born overseas, 70% of households using a language other than English at home. This expansion of the University’s Fairfield Connect aims to address economic barriers residents face, which can include trauma, disrupted education, and language barriers.
Despite William’s concerns over international and domestic tertiary student disparities, questions remain over how a new study space will solve the issue. Financial Review education editor Julie Hare reported that over 25 per cent of students who began studying in 2017, dropped out by the end of 2022 due to the cost-of-living crisis. Western students echo cost of living difficulties, with international student Salwaa Zarin Subah, an international student lamented that external issues such as cultural barriers, academic pressures, and health struggles all compound the cost and challenges of studying as an international student.
Many international students face limitations that domestic students don’t. International students are mandated by the Department of Home Affairs to enrol in a full-time study load and adhere to a maximum of 48 hours paid employment per fortnight during academic terms and semesters. Additionally, subclass 500 student visa applicants must pay a non-refundable fee of $2,000, even if the visa is refused or withdrawn. The cost increased 125% in just one year earlier, from $710 to $1,600, as reported by Kim Martin in ‘The Pie’.
Restructures & Job Cuts
On 22nd April 2025 the Vice-Chancellor released a statement about the University’s 2026 budget cuts. Williams stated his and senior leadership salaries have been frozen, with the University doing everything possible to save money. Williams added, there is ‘no choice but to reduce our workforce by 300-400 positions.’
Student coalition group Stop WSU Cuts (SWC) formed to combat the changes and support affected staff. Stop WSU Cuts posted to Instagram on the 3rd June 2025, stating the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) sourced new information about the University’s financial position. Stop WSU Cuts posted: ‘New information released by the NTEU WSU Branch show evidence that WSU has no financial crisis! There is no financial basis for sacking 400 staff in a cost of living crisis, except to bolster the university’s profit margins and the executives salaries, like our Vice Chancellor George Williams who earns $800,000 a year!’ These findings came from the NTEU’s 2024 annual report, which they allege shows the University’s good financial health and $800 million cash and investments.
W’SUP News contacted Western’s media team for further updates on this matter. A Western spokesperson replied with the following statement:
‘Western Sydney University has worked around-the-clock to reduce the number of jobs we initially thought we could lose by finding extra non-salary savings and through the take-up of voluntary redundancies.
These savings mean that we have managed to avoid the need for any involuntary redundancies because there are enough roles for affected staff to apply for.
Throughout this process, our priority has been to look after our people and ensure the University is set up for the future. Serving our students must be at the heart of everything we do. Our proposed changes are aimed at improving services and support for students so we can continue to give them choice, a world-class education and a great university experience.’
Some of the University’s staff and student body have slated the decision to disestablish roles. Western program officer Sahar Tabbouleh said: ‘The job cuts and organisational changes have created significant uncertainty that has lowered morale and demotivated many staff. Particularly in student-facing roles where continuing students now need to adjust to new staff, modified services, and major shifts in programs after previously relying on familiar support.’
Students are hoping for no more surprises in 2026.
To receive updates on all these issues, and how students and staff will be impacted in the new year, make sure to stay tuned with W’SUP as we publish more articles going into 2026!
