Welcome to the latest Member Matters bulletin.
This edition of Member Matters highlights the enduring strength of the mutual model and Unimutual’s commitment to delivering long-term value for Members. From sector advocacy and renewal readiness to pricing stability, risk management insights and the latest Member resources, we continue to focus on supporting the higher education and research sector through protection, prevention and partnership.
There was welcome news for Australia’s mutual sector this month, with the Australian Labor Party formally recognising co-operatives and mutuals in its national platform and supporting the sector’s ambition to double in size.
The announcement acknowledges the important role member-owned organisations play in creating competition, innovation and long-term value. It also reinforces what Unimutual Members already experience every day – the strength of a business that exists solely to serve its members, not external shareholders.
As policymakers increasingly recognise the value of the mutual model, we believe the future is bright for Member-owned organisations and the communities they support. At Unimutual, we remain committed to delivering the benefits of mutuality through sector expertise, long-term partnerships and products designed with our Members’ interests at heart.
Thank you to the many Members who joined our recent 2026/27 Protection Renewal Webinar. The session provided an overview of the renewal process, key protection arrangements for the upcoming year, and important information to assist Members in setting their budgets.
For Members who were unable to attend, or those wishing to revisit the presentation, a recording of the webinar and supporting materials can be accessed at Renewal Update Webinar.
Unimutual has released its Half-Year Update, highlighting a strong first half of the 2025/26 protection year. Key achievements included the successful completion of the 2025/26 protection renewal, continued investment in risk services and Member resources, and the delivery of another highly successful Annual Member Conference. The update reinforces the strength of the mutual model, with Unimutual remaining focused on long-term sustainability, disciplined underwriting, strong reinsurance protection and practical support for Members.
Looking ahead, Unimutual will continue to focus on renewal readiness, cyber resilience, enhanced risk services and strategic initiatives that support the long-term resilience of the higher education and research sector.
To read more, you can find the review here.
As shared in previous Member updates, property contributions are determined by two key factors:
Understating asset values can leave an organisation under-protected and exposed to significant financial shortfalls following a loss, while overstating values may result in unnecessary contribution costs. Regularly reviewing declared values, particularly in periods of inflation, construction activity or changes to campus infrastructure, helps ensure protection remains aligned to an institution’s actual risk exposure. Taking the time to validate asset values each year is one of the most important steps Members can take to support effective protection and financial resilience.
When reviewing your contribution budget, it’s important to consider both your institution’s risk performance and any changes to declared asset values. It is also important to note that asset value fluctuations are not a function of the insurance market cycle. Even with softening market rates, increases in valuation will influence your overall contribution.
Unimutual has created a document which can be found here.
A key pillar of Unimutual’s five-year strategy is Managing the Cycle, ensuring we deliver sustainable value to Members through both hard and soft insurance markets. Taking a long-term approach aligned to the needs of the higher education and research sector, Unimutual recently engaged independent insurance consultant, Finity Consulting, to compare our contribution movements against broader market trends over the past decade.
The results show that Unimutual has consistently outperformed the broader insurance market on pricing stability, helping Members avoid much of the volatility experienced in commercial property insurance. This reflects our commitment to economic pricing, disciplined underwriting and the strength of a diversified member-owned portfolio.
Why this matters for Members:
Your continued support enables us to maintain this approach and deliver lasting value through both risk protection and risk prevention services.
As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting Members with practical risk management guidance, sector insights and protection information, Unimutual regularly reviews and updates the resources available through the Member Portal.
Recently added and refreshed materials cover a range of topics relevant to universities and research institutions, including emerging risks, insurance and protection guidance, cyber security, business continuity, governance and claims management.
Below are links to resources recently added or updated on the Unimutual website and available through the Member Portal.
As always, if there’s anything you’d like to discuss or you need support, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Warm regards,
Geoff Henderson
Chief Executive Officer
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