The Northern Territory Government has provided a one-off funding contribution of $7 million to Charles Darwin University, following an independent review of the university’s delivery of Vocational Education and Training (VET).

The CDU 2018 annual report, tabled in NT Parliament this week, confirmed the education provider recorded a $21 million deficit last year.

The university commissioned professional services firm EY to undertake a review of its VET delivery earlier this year.

The report made seven recommendations CDU should implement over a three year period to improve its fiscal position.

One of those recommendations was that the university ask the NT Government to financially support the actions it needs to take to address the deficit.

The $7 million one-off funding contribution from the Northern Territory Government for VET delivery comes in addition to the $65 million in ongoing annual funding the government provides to CDU, predominantly for the delivery of VET courses.

Quotes from Minister for Workforce Training, Selena Uibo.

“The Northern Territory has one of the highest rates of VET engagement in Australia and CDU is our largest provider of these courses, including in remote communities.

“We want more Territorians, particularly Aboriginal Territorians and those from remote communities, to continue to have higher education opportunities.

“In line with recommendations from the EY independent review, we have provided a one-off funding contribution to support the university's continued delivery of VET and ensure its long-term viability.

“The Federal Government’s Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Outlook in 2017 froze funding to universities without warning. This hit regional universities such as CDU hard.

“The Territory Labor Government recently launched a seven-year international student strategy that aims to quadruple the population of overseas students by 2025 and boost the market’s current $91 million contribution to the Territory economy to more than $300 million.

“Key to this plan is a new CDU city campus, which was secured under the Darwin City Deal. It will not be affected by the university’s current financial situation.”

Media contact: Kim Stephens 0417 683 144