Western Sydney University is going through a significant restructure, with 200 job losses by the end of the year looking likely. The university recently underwent a consultation process with Deloitte, which released a report called “project Essex”. The report released to staff said the project aimed to find “a more effective and efficient service delivery by consolidating and centralising professional services,” industry gossip website Campus Morning Mail reported. A university spokesperson confirmed the Australian Taxation Office has approved an early voluntary retirement program. The statement from the university says:

“The University is currently assessing the 200 applications received and staff retiring as part of the Early Voluntary Retirement program will do so by the end of 2016. The University is working with Schools and Departments to develop work-plans to manage vacancies.”

The university hasn’t confirmed which departments the retirements will come from, but did say that participation in the program was “voluntary and at the discretion of eligible individuals, and a range of tax concessions were available as part of the program”.

The spokesperson says the Deloitte report is separate to the early retirement program, but it foreshadows further possible job losses:

“The University is currently working with Deloitte in a separate program to review the delivery of professional services across the University. A range of consultation has been conducted in the early stages of this review, which will continue into the first quarter of 2017.

The review will seek to determine a service-focused, innovative and sustainable approach to professional service delivery for the University. Should organisational change to professional services stem from this program, it will be conducted in accordance with the University’s Staff Agreements.”

Looks like this story isn’t over.