The ABC understands more than 100 jobs at Charles Sturt University (CSU) will be cut within weeks, but 35 are already vacant roles.
Acting vice-chancellor John Germov today told CSU staff that between 100 and 110 roles would go next week, beginning with non-academic staff in the Division of Learning and Teaching, Vice-Chancellor's office, and food and beverage roles.
It is not yet known which of the university's 10 campuses will be impacted by the cuts.
The cuts come as the university tries to plug an expected $49 million budget hole, which was announced in March this year and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on international students.
Alison Barnes, president of the National Tertiary Education Union, said she was dismayed by the decision.
"These are administrative and professional staff roles but they support the work of academics, they support the running of the university," she said.
Dr Barnes said she was worried academic staff could be next and called on the Federal Government to step in.
"Professional and administrative staff are the first to go, but that may well spread to academic jobs as well.
"We're really worried about losing generations of early career researchers.
"We really need the Government to step in and provide a lifeline for Australian universities."
On Tuesday, the CSU announced around 600 subjects would also be axed, including 550 which had no student enrolments in 2019.
The ABC understands many of them were already being phased out. Restructures to the academic areas of the university are expected later in the year.
The university and the Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, have been contacted for comment.
