In Australia, higher education is a large industry with ~A$34B in spending in FY14. Public universities generated ~80% of this revenue (growing at 3.9% CAGR from 2004 to 2014), while the remaining revenue was generated by non-university higher education providers (NUHEPs) and other universities.

Disruption is being driven by general technological disruption and its impact on the very nature of work, increasing technology penetration and democratisation of information. Digital disruption itself has led to workplace changes including automation, continuous learning, training and reskilling.

This has led to cloud classrooms and the rise of MOOCs, changing the industry at a scale not seen in centuries. Massive Online Open Courses, after a hyped start, are starting to find their place and are enabling disruptive changes in lifelong learning, job search and careers.

The future may see the end of an institution. Employer or expert backed MOOC providers have the potential and the power to disrupt the long standing dominance of universities with sufficient regulatory and financial support.