At least three university vice chancellors were awarded pay rises of more than $100,000 last year, including a bump of around $150,000 to Sydney University’s Mark Scott, despite rising political heat over excessive salaries.

The most highly remunerated university boss last year was Duncan Maskell from Melbourne University, now retired, who took home just shy of $1.6 million. In contrast, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earns just over $600,000.