Uni’s $3.6m staff underpayment discovery during 2016-2023

A major university has admitted to underpaying more than 1000 casual academic staff over a seven-year period and is contacting affected workers, including, potentially, those at its Brisbane campus.

A major national university with a campus in Brisbane has admitted to underpaying 1100 casual academic staff to the tune of around $3.6 million over seven years.

Australian Catholic University released a shock statement on Wednesday disclosing the discrepancy, which occurred between 2016 and 2023.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) campus at Banyo in Brisbane's north. Photo: Supplied.

An extensive audit identified inaccuracies in how entitlements were calculated during this period, with all current ACU staff also advised via email on Wednesday.

The issues related to unpaid or underpaid entitlements for sessional staff with PhD qualifications, or academics who were subject/unit co-ordinators or lecturers-in-charge.

The university’s Queensland campus in Banyo on Brisbane’s northside.

Opening in 2003, it has grown to more than 5500 students enrolled in over 65 courses in 2023.

The Courier-Mail has contacted ACU for further comment regarding how many current or former staff at the ACU campus at Banyo are affected, and to what value.

The university has already begun the process of contacting all affected former and current staff to apologise, advise them of the amount owed to them, and reassure those affected they will be reimbursed in full with interest as soon as possible.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) campus at Banyo in Brisbane's north. Photo: Supplied.

Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis also publicly apologised.

“On behalf of the university, I would like to sincerely and unequivocally apologise on behalf of the university and the Senate to every employee – past and present,” he said.

“ACU is committed to wage integrity, in accordance not only with our legal obligations but also with our dedication to upholding the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

“Our mission as a Catholic university commits us to treat every human person with dignity and respect.”

ACU has disclosed the matter to the Fair Work Ombudsman, National Tertiary Education Union, and Community and Public Sector Union, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, the Australian Taxation Office, and UniSuper.