SafeWork NSW has ordered a pause to a program of job cuts at University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
It will lead to further delays in the release of a "change proposal" the university has been holding since July, which had been expected to be released within days.
The university will have to cancel planned meetings with staff after the regulator stepped in due to concerns of psychosocial hazards stemming from restructure plans.
The National Tertiary Education Union's president says the plans at UTS add to concerns about university governance nationwide.
"What we're seeing at UTS is being replicated across the country," Alison Barnes said.
The union claims up to 400 jobs are at stake. The university did not provide a figure.
Dr Barnes claimed university executives were pursuing "reckless" job cuts and dismissing the concerns and expertise of staff.
"The fact that a workplace safety regulator had to step in to protect university workers speaks volumes about how disconnected university management has become," she said.
The union's UTS branch president Sarah Attfield said staff had been under "immense stress" with their concerns dismissed by management.
"It seems like management isn't interested in the ideas of the staff who run this university," Dr Attfield said.
UTS said ongoing delays in releasing its proposed changes had "frustrated" the university.
"We have been discussing options with staff to address the issues facing the university since late last year and want to have full and meaningful consultation to find solutions," a spokesperson told AAP.
"But to do so we need to release the change proposal."
The university has to reduce expenditure after five years of deficits, with revenue not covering ongoing operating costs.
"This is not financially or operationally sustainable," the spokesperson said.
"We reject the NTEU's contention that we have not adequately conducted preliminary consultation on the need for the changes and the desired outcomes."
A SafeWork NSW spokesperson told AAP the prohibition notice issued on the university will remain in place until the issues have been rectified.
A Senate inquiry is probing university governance, including compliance with workplace health and safety laws, ahead of a report in December.
Employment practices are also in the spotlight along with executive pay packets.
An interim report in April noted significant failures of governance including the exclusion of staff and students from decisions, growth in executive pay, sector-wide non-compliance with workplace regulations, and high levels of insecure work and reduced course quality.
A separate NSW parliamentary inquiry is also investigating the sector following a petition from more than 2600 people.
The Australia Institute think tank reported in February university vice-chancellors were making seven times more than lecturers.
"The pay of university vice-chancellors has soared well beyond that of the teaching staff for no improvement in management," it reported.
11°C