A recent report by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) reveals that 306 senior university executives in Australia earn salaries exceeding those of their state premiers, averaging six executives per institution.

In Western Australia, nearly 30 university executives surpass the salary of the state's premier, Roger Cook, with two universities exceeding the national average of six.

The report criticizes universities for their lack of transparency in senior appointments, instances of wage theft, reliance on casual staff, and inefficient spending, which has eroded trust in university management.

Dr. Alison Barnes, the NTEU national president, has called for an urgent federal parliamentary inquiry, highlighting a 'deep governance crisis' within the higher education sector.

Titled 'Ending Bad Governance – For Good,' the report calls for increased transparency in financial management and spending practices within universities.

Currently, there is no specific regulation addressing conflicts of interest regarding senior university executives' external appointments.

Concerns have been raised about the revolving door of highly paid executives, which has led to bureaucracies prioritizing profit over the quality of education and research.

The report suggests that universities are prioritizing governance costs over teaching, advocating for a redirection of funds to support teaching staff salaries and employment stability.

It highlights reckless spending on external consultants, with the University of Western Australia alone spending over $41.6 million on consultancy services in 2023.

In Western Australia, vice-chancellors earn between $865,000 and $1,035,000, significantly higher than the Prime Minister's salary of $587,000, indicating a disparity in compensation.

The report indicates that executive salaries lack clear justification, showing no correlation with university rankings or financial performance.

Anonymous testimonies from university workers reveal a decline in pay and challenging work environments, with reports of demotions leading to significant pay cuts.