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Southern Cross University

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Mediocrity...a glorified TAFE - Anonymous employee Southern Cross University Employee Review

1.0
6 Oct 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Coffs Harbour is a great location to live. Accommodation is cheap, the climate mild, and there are plenty of flights to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Oh, and at work if you have any talent you will stand out as an over achiever.

Cons

If you have any talent you will stand out as an over achiever. The middle management of the University will likely perceive you as a threat and you will attract negative attention. The hostility may or may not be personal, depending on who you are, but people getting research loading represent staffing that cannot teach and that makes balancing budget difficult. As such, research is not actively supported The School of Health and Human Sciences is particularly bad (in 2016 equal worst graduate outcomes in Australia for nurses). You will struggle to get support to attend a conference and will have to fight to get even leave for a conference. There have been frequent accusations of bullying and disrespect from more senior staff to those underneath them and that certainly was the case in Health and Human Sciences. So, if you have ambition, or want to do your own research, stay away...there are far better institutions around in places that are just as nice.

Explore other reviews about Southern Cross University

2.0
22 May 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I am delighted to express my feeling about my presence at this university. I suggest everyone to apply for any available position if they are eligible.

Cons

No negative issue can be found there

1.0
25 Mar 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Campuses are in good locations, clean and well-maintained.

Cons

Numerous concerns, examples: The academic environment is highly toxic, with excessive gossip, lack of respect, and an oppressive culture that discourages new ideas and open discussion. Opportunities for academic promotion are limited and often do not reflect genuine effort or dedication. SCU does not consistently adhere to its own policies and procedures, affecting both staff and students. The organization response to feedback further reflects this culture. Even on platforms such as Glassdoor, responses tend to appear only when reviews are positive. This reinforces a pattern of avoiding accountability rather than acknowledging issues and demonstrating a genuine commitment to improvement. Culture of favourable student feedback, placing implicit pressure on staff to award higher grades. SCU is among the last universities in Australia to accept the National Tertiary Education Union agreement and remains among the lowest in delivering appropriate salary adjustments. Avoid this place if you can.

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