WA progresses university merger proposal as institutions raise concerns

The WA government announced on 11 October 2026 that it would prepare a business case for a possible merger involving Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia. Premier Roger Cook said it would investigate the expense of combining the institutions and whether they could finance it themselves.

Cook argued that combining the universities would strengthen WA's economy, improve outcomes for students and increase research funding. He also said it would help attract and retain students and tackle low completion rates.

Curtin vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said the university would firmly oppose amalgamation, citing potential job losses, reduced choice, costs and waste. She said the combined institution would have almost 120,000 students and that managing that scale would divert attention from teaching, learning and student support. Curtin Student Guild president Dylan Storer raised concerns about students being overlooked and losing options.

Murdoch said through a spokesperson that maintaining four public universities with different characteristics would better serve WA. A UWA spokesperson said it was open to discussing the sector's future, but any merger would require a sound business rationale and significant gains for students and the WA community.

A steering committee providing input to the business case is due to report its findings by mid-2027. Former Fortescue deputy chairman Mark Barnaba will chair it, with Fiona Wood as deputy chair. Barnaba said the proposal was intended to strengthen the institution, not achieve savings through job reductions.

Committee member Professor Peter Klinken said a 2023 review identified WA universities as trailing in government funding, research funding and enrolments. Shadow education minister Liam Staltari questioned whether those findings were still current and said the cost to taxpayers and responsibility for funding a merger remained unresolved.