2009 Revised Budget for the University of Adelaide

I am pleased to present the 2009 Revised Budget for the University of Adelaide, approved by Council on 4 May 2009.

The key targets of the 2009 Revised Budget are:

• An operating result of $33.3m;
  
• An operating margin of 5.6%;
  
• To provide investment necessary for growth, quality and impact and reduce the backlog of maintenance;
  
• To maintain underlying operating performance relative to the Go8;
  
• To ensure staff costs are sustainable and taking into account the global financial crisis; and
  
• To continue stability and transparency of funding allocations.
  

We have also been able to maintain our focus on developing the University as outlined in the Strategic Plan 2008-2012 'Building a Great Research University'. The 2009 Revised Budget allocates $9.2m to support the introduction of research institutes and other research-focussed initiatives and $147.7m for further infrastructure development in 2009, ensuring further improvements in facilities for staff and students.

Preparation of the 2009 Revised Budget has been more challenging than for some time, as this will be the first year in many when no new funding from the Commonwealth is available. In addition, the possible impacts of the global financial crisis are still to fully unfold.

In summary, the University has developed a prudent 2009 Revised Budget based on conservative student load growth targets, tight control on increased operating costs and capital works limited to major projects previously approved by Council and base capital works including addressing backlog maintenance.

Professor James A. McWha
Vice-Chancellor and President