The Silent Influence of Consultancy Firms in Australian Universities

A quiet transformation is underway at Australian universities. Behind closed doors, powerful consulting firms are helping to reshape higher education; cutting courses, centralising power, and outsourcing staff. 

One firm in particular, Nous Group, is now embedded in some of the country’s most prestigious institutions. At the Australian National University, its role in a $250 million restructure has been concealed, even from parliament, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability. 

Today, senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton, on how consultants gained control of the university sector, and what it could mean for the future of higher education.

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Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton.

Photo: University of Sydney

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