The ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) and ANU College of Science and Medicine (CoSM) Change Proposals are open for consultation until 12pm, this Thursday 7 August. The Academic Portfolio Change Proposal consultation will remain open until 12pm Thursday 28 August. You can find Change Proposals, recordings of each Town hall and feedback forms on the Renew ANU website.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will be hosting additional information sessions in each College with further details around timing to be published on the Renew ANU website soon. 

The Residential Experience Division Change Proposal is scheduled for release this Wednesday 6 August. The proposal will outline potential changes to how residential   support services are delivered across ANU.

The University community has provided a wide range of feedback on the Renew ANU organisational change proposals. We have received questions on how that feedback is collated, considered and where it fits into the decision-making process.

Under Clause 70 of our Enterprise Agreement, all feedback received during consultation must be carefully considered before any change can proceed. This includes suggestions, concerns, and questions raised by individuals or groups. To support this, a clear process is in place for submitting, reviewing, and incorporating feedback before finalising an Implementation Plan.

You can read more about how feedback is managed and where it fits in the change process by visiting the Renew ANU FAQs.

Statements have been released to clarify some common questions about proposed changes to the disciplines of Sociology and Music.

The RAC was implemented to provide all-of-university oversight to hiring at ANU. Since its formation in May 2024, the Recruitment Approval Committee (RAC) has met 31 times. A total of 1,984 roles have been submitted with 1,861 approved (93.80 per cent approval rating). 

Across 2025, a total of 789 roles have been submitted, with 740 approved (93.79 per cent approval rating). On average, the Committee reviews 64 requests per meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, 6 August. Currently, 26 requests have been submitted to be reviewed in this meeting.

Friday 1 August was an important day for our community with the acknowledgement of the work that has been done, and work that still needs to be done, to address sexual violence on our campus and beyond. Every account of sexual and gendered violence is too many and we continue to work every day to ensure our campus is safe and respectful for our staff, students, visitors and alumni.

Read more: VC's update - acknowledgments 

CFO Michael Lonergan shares a quarterly update on the University’s financial position. This update covers the current financial context and challenges in a constrained growth environment, key performance metrics from the first half of 2025 and an outlook for the remainder of the year. 

Read more: Update from the CFO: ANU quarterly financial update, July 2025

The Vice-Chancellor has confirmed that the University will be closed from Thursday 25 December 2025 and will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026.

These closedown arrangements reflect the University's operational planning and commitment to supporting staff wellbeing over this end-of-year period.

The closedown period between 25 December 2025 to 1 January 2026 includes public holidays and designated paid closedown days.  If you are required to work during this period for essential operational reasons, you will be entitled to time in lieu for the time worked.

The decision to implement a University closedown and provide paid leave over the end-of-year period carries an estimated cost to the University of $3 million per day. Recognising the current financial pressures, this decision was made following discussion with the NTEU, and the University acknowledges and appreciates the NTEU leadership’s support for these arrangements.

Either side of the closure period, normal leave provisions apply. This includes Wednesday 24 December 2025, which will be a normal full working day.

As this is a quiet time of year for the University, staff are encouraged to take additional leave in December and January around the closedown period, where operationally appropriate. 

Friday 1 August marked a significant moment for our community, with students and community members gathering in peaceful protest on campus to call for continued action on sexual assault and sexual harassment. This date marks the anniversary of the 2017 Change the Course report, a national study that brought renewed focus to the issue of sexual assault and sexual harassment at Australian universities.

Every member of our community has the right to feel safe and respected. We remain committed to listening, acting and improving. ANU continues to invest in education, prevention and support and as part of this, publishes annual reports and key response actions on our Respect@ANU website.

Yesterday the Australian Government announced a new National Planning Level of 295,000 international student places for Australia in 2026. This represents 25,000 additional places across higher education which includes universities, providers and VET. They gave an assurance that public universities, such as ANU, would not receive an allocation that was less than their 2025 allocation.

Scott Pearsall, Interim Pro Vice-Chancellor (International & Future Students), said "this announcement assists the University with its planning for 2026 and onwards and is a positive signal to our agents and prospective students that the Government continues to value international education".

Public universities will be able to apply for a share of this growth provided that they are making good progress towards their 2025 allocation and can demonstrate provision of student accommodation and an increase in their engagement with Southeast Asia aligned to the Government’s strategy Invested: Australia’s Economic Strategy with Southeast Asia to 2040. Currently ANU has used 83 per cent of its 2025 allocation.

Pleasingly the Government introduced a number of new categories of students who are exempted from this planning limit, including international students transitioning from secondary school studies in Australia or affiliated pathway programs. 

In the coming weeks, you’ll start to see this stamp on content that highlights work that’s been carried out in response to the University surveys and other feedback. It’s a simple way to show where your feedback is helping shape positive change across the University. The actions we’ve taken range from improvements in leadership communication through to initiatives that strengthen belonging and engagement.

Look for the stamp in future updates to see how staff input is making a difference.

Remember, you can suggest ideas for improvement or provide feedback on anything at the University at any time using this University feedback form. It is also available on the ANU OK app along with the Fix My Campus form which you can use to report something in our buildings or on campus that need repair.

When the Prime Minister of Tuvalu, the Hon Feleti Penitala Teo, spoke to a crowd at the Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre at ANU he was frank about the threat of climate change to his nation’s survival. 

“The grave injustice or irony of the threat of climate change is that climate change is not of our making, but it will certainly remake us,” Prime Minister Feleti said. 

Read more: Tuvalu PM Feleti Penitala Teo’s quest to future-proof his nation against climate change 

When Dr Mitzy Pepper knocked on a lecturer’s door as a student, she unlocked a whole new life path filled with quirk and colour.

Dr Mitzy Pepper is sitting at her desk in the Robertson Building. In the chilly Canberra winter, her computer screensaver – the red rocks and sand of a desert scene – is an ever-present reminder of her other office space.

Read more: Desert dreams, pet lizards and unravelling genomes with Mitzy Pepper

Monday 11 August, 11am-12pm 

Come along for an inspiring keynote by Dr Katrina Wruck, founder of Nguki Kula Green Labs, as she shares how her groundbreaking profit-for-purpose venture is set to revolutionise the consumer goods industry. Using the power of green chemistry, Dr Wruck is tackling harmful 'forever chemicals' and paving the way for a safer, more sustainable future. 

Often described as "the first Indigenous scientist I've ever met", Dr Wruck is a proud Mabuigilaig and Goemulgal woman, deeply passionate about community and dedicated to empowering the next generation to pursue careers in STEM. 

Register here: In conversation with the 2025 Young Australian of the Year – Scientist, Dr Katrina Wruck

Monday 11 August, 11am-12pm 

Come along for a relaxed in-person coffee catch-up with the ANU Disability Research Network. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members and build community in a casual setting. 

Register here: ANU Disability Research Network Mid-Year Catch Up 

Monday 11 August, 6-7.15pm 

The Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM) is initiating a review to consider whether the legal definition of a ‘terrorist act’ remains fit-for-purpose.  

Join the National Security of College (NSC) to formally launch the review and release of the Issues Paper. 

Register here: Reviewing the definition of a 'terrorist act'

Monday 11 August, 6-8pm 

Sensing Industry Connect is a networking event organised by the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) aimed at providing researchers, manufacturers, designers, developers or deployers of smart sensing a space to build valuable relationships. This event is an opportunity for those in the sensing sector to meet new clients, suppliers and collaborators from across the sensing ecosystem.

Register here: Sensing Industry Connect

Monday 11 August, 6.30-8pm 

Join renowned pediatrician and child advocate Dr Sue Packer AO as she shares powerful insights from over 50 years of championing children’s rights and wellbeing in this public lecture. 

From treating trauma to shaping child-friendly hospitals, Sue has never stopped advocating for better outcomes for children. She speaks with warmth, honesty, and a deep belief in community and the power of purpose. 

Register here: How to make a difference: in conversation with Dr Suzanne Packer AO

Tuesday 12 August, 5.30-7pm 

Professor Michael Laffan from Princeton University will unpack elements of a text that seems to have enjoyed popularity in parts of Southeast Asia in the nineteenth century. Written in Arabic script Malay, the Hikayat Maryam wa Isa offers an account of the miracles surrounding Mary, Jesus and their kin, though perhaps not the miracles that modern Christians or even many modern Muslims would recognise today. 

Register here: Tony and Yohanni Johns Lecture 

Saturday 9 August – Sunday 10 August

This National Science Week, hear about the latest scientific research at the pub with Pint of Science Australia, attend a STEM Future Careers panel at Questacon, take a tour of the ANU Science Precinct with She Shapes History and discover the lesser-known legends of Australian science, explore the University’s Biology labs or become a parasitologist for the day through the Parasite Pandemic event suite.

Register here: National Science Week

It began its journey in the stillness between Mars and Jupiter. A fragment of a shattered world, drifting through space for billions of years. 

Then something changed. Gravity nudged it off course. Once part of a 20,000 kg mass of iron, it hurtled towards the Earth, blazing through the sky in a firestorm of light and sound. Most of it vanished. But this 250kg piece survived... and you can touch it.  

Now it rests quietly at Mount Stromlo. A relic from space hiding in plain sight. 

Expressions of interest are invited for the role of Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). 

This is a unique opportunity to lead a vital governance body that safeguards the integrity and ethical standards of research involving human participants. The HREC plays a central role in ensuring that research conducted under the University’s auspices aligns with the highest ethical principles, as outlined in the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (the AIATSIS Code) and the National Statement for Ethical Conduct of Human Research 2025 (The National Statement) (NS). 

Submissions close on Friday 8 August. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Ethics Manager, Cassandra du Boulay or call 02 6125 1162 for further information. 

Planning an event on campus? From Friday 8 August, a new and improved Functions on campus application will make it easier to organise and gain approval for your event. The app walks you through key steps and policies and will be mandatory for all staff and students hosting events at ANU.

Event submissions made before this Friday 8 August will still be processed through the current eForm platform.

Learn more: Functions on campus

The University has launched a new online training module on Pulse: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Culture and Voices. We encourage all staff to complete this course and refresh their knowledge. 

The University’s finance system is being updated to strengthen functionality, security and the overall experience for staff. This update, which is scheduled to go-live on Monday 18 August 2025, includes two key improvements: 

As a result, the Finance system will be unavailable for both admin and self-service users from 7pm Thursday 14 August to 7am Monday 18 August 2025.  

If you require additional information, please contact: the Finance Systems team by email fbs-bso@anu.edu.au or phone (02) 6125 4321.

If you require assistance getting set up for MFA access please contact the ANU Service Desk via the portal or by calling (02) 6125 4321. 

The University underwent a tender procurement process for reviewing the current arrangements for external employee assistance program services. Following an extensive evaluation, the University will have changed arrangements from 1 September. Further information is available here.  

The Insurance Office facilitates insurance covers for the University’s property, travel, motor vehicles, public liability, professional indemnity, medical malpractice, clinical trials, directors & officers, employment practice liability and crime with an annual renewal date of 31 October.  

Following a competitive procurement process, Willis Towers Watson (Willis) has been appointed as the University’s exclusive insurance broker. 

Willis can be contacted at insurance.office@anu.edu.au. 

The ANU Kitchen Garden program, developed by the Student Life team has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 2025 Green Gown Awards Australasia under the “Leading the Circular Economy” category, for their delivery of in the “Worms against Waste” project. 

The initiative aimed to demonstrate how the Kitchen Garden could be a living example of a practical, scalable food waste solution, demonstrating how small sustainable actions can make a big difference in our community. 

Learn more: Kitchen Garden and the Worms Against Waste project

Are you an early or mid-career researcher passionate about tackling the health impacts of climate change? The McMichael Award offers up to $30,000 to support interdisciplinary research that drives real-world solutions. Learn more.  

The ANU Green Awards are about celebrating students and staff who are taking real steps to achieve real environmental impact.  

Get involved through the One Small Step x ANU platform. Complete everyday environmental challenges, such as composting, switching up your commute or avoiding food waste, and earn points as you go. 

Whether you are flying solo or part of a team, your actions count. Awards run until Friday 31 October with themed prizes, surprise challenges and a celebration to wrap it all up!  

Open to all staff and students.  

Register here for the info session and join the challenge on the ANU Green website. 

The University's local rugby club UniNorths Owls made history on Wednesday 16 July with the unveiling of an Honour Board at The Barn, dedicated to 14 remarkable women who have risen through the ranks of grassroots rugby to represent their countries on the world stage.

Read more: UniNorth Owls celebrate women’s rugby with honour board unveiling 

All students commencing coursework programs for the first time at ANU in Semester 2 are invited to respond to the ANU Welcome Survey. Your help with promoting this survey among our new cohorts would be much appreciated. Survey closes on Wednesday 6 August. 

Learn more: ANU Welcome survey now open 

Wi-Fi coverage refers to the area where a wireless signal is available and reliable. Think of it as an invisible bubble surrounding an access point.  

Achieving optimal coverage requires strategic placement of access points, considering physical barriers such as walls, floors, appliances, and reflective surfaces like mirrors and metal, which can impact signal performance.  

At ANU, we’re actively working to enhance Wi-Fi coverage across our campuses. Our goal is to provide you with a seamless connection, so you can collaborate and stay connected from your device - anywhere, anytime.  

Learn more about our efforts to improve Wi-Fi coverage at ANU

ANU Security - (02) 6125 2249 

For life threatening emergencies first call 000 (or 0000 if dialing from an internal phone), then call ANU Security.  

Media hotline 24/7 - (02) 6125 7979 

Contact the 24/7 media hotline for media queries regarding the University and its operations, or to track down experts that aren’t listed in our Experts Guide.  

Help is available if you need it. Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek support through the Employee Assistance Program.

If you need to support a student in distress, please refer to this guide developed by the Student Safety and Wellbeing team.