A message from the Guild President
There’s a big conversation happening right now about the future of universities in Western Australia.
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the WA Government’s review into the structure of our public university sector. One of the ideas being floated is whether some institutions should merge. At this stage, no formal proposals have been released, but the conversation is serious and ongoing. The Curtin Student Guild is actively engaged, and we’ve been working closely with the other Guild Presidents across the state to make sure students are being heard.
This week, I met with the review committee to make Curtin students’ views clear. I also raised the importance of campuses like Curtin Kalgoorlie, which must be part of any discussion about the future of the sector.
Let me be clear about the Guild’s position. We know WA’s universities need reform. Students and staff alike are under pressure from chronic underfunding, corporate decision-making, casualisation, and declining learning conditions. But we are deeply concerned that mergers could make things worse, not better. They are expensive, disruptive, and have a poor track record when it comes to delivering for students.
Bigger does not mean better. It often means more bureaucracy, fewer options and less support. And when you start prioritising rankings and administrative reshuffling over student outcomes, you lose sight of why universities exist in the first place.
That’s why we believe real reform must start with how universities are governed, how students are represented, and how decisions are made. We are calling for governance reform that strengthens, not sidelines, student voice. We are also calling for increased public funding, because universities cannot be expected to meet their responsibilities without proper resourcing.
The Guild is not just a service provider. We are a democratically elected institution representing tens of thousands of students, and our role must be formally recognised and resourced under any changes to the sector. That includes ensuring 100% of the SSAF is directed to Guilds to deliver services and represent students independently and effectively.
I’ve also been working with the other WA Guild Presidents to draft a public statement setting out our joint position. That statement reaffirms that any reform must be led by students and guided by the public interest. It outlines the risks of mergers, the importance of governance reform, and the need to protect and strengthen Guilds as democratic bodies.
This is not just about Curtin. It is about the future of higher education across WA. It is about defending what makes our universities unique, connected, and accessible, and fighting for a system that genuinely delivers for students.
Whatever happens next, the Curtin Student Guild will stay at the table. We will keep pushing for outcomes that are in the best interest of students, and we will keep you informed as this process continues.
In solidarity,
Dylan Storer
Curtin Student Guild President