End to casual work delivers for Western Sydney University staff

Erika Smith said it was only after securing a permanent position through a ‘decasualisation’ program that she secured mentoring opportunities and research funding.

Vice-chancellor George Williams, second left, with staff who have benefited from the program: Jiahe Chen, Maryanne Dever; Erika Smith, Pegah Marandi, Kevin Dunn and Jeff Powell. Picture: Sally Tsoutas

Western Sydney University sociology lecturer Erika Smith said it was only after securing a permanent position through a university “decasualisation” program that she secured mentoring opportunities and funding to undertake ­research.

Dr Smith was among the first appointees to the program, developed with the National Tertiary Education Union, which WSU said was in response to the “major problem” of insecure work in the sector. More than 50 per cent of all teaching in the sector is done by casual staff on short-term contracts.

“While Western Sydney University offers some research ­opportunities to casually employed academics, it was only after ­securing a permanent position that I gained meaningful access to research support, such as mentoring, collaboration, funding and dedicated time to undertake ­research,” Dr Smith said. “This institutional investment in research has been pivotal in the development of my academic profile.”

WSU has now welcomed its third cohort of the decasualisation program in 2025, with 60 casual staff appointed to secure positions. It adds to 100 appointments made in 2023 and 2024. WSU vice-chancellor George Williams said the talented educators and researchers were “already enriching the student experience”.

“These new ongoing positions, now totalling 160, reflect a significant commitment by both Western Sydney University and the NTEU to address insecure work in the sector and provide our academic staff with greater certainty and opportunity,” he said.

Associate lecturer in business analytics Jiahe Chen, part of the 2025 cohort, said he had now found his “academic home” at the university. “A secure foundation to grow beyond teaching into ­research and long-term career ­development. This stability and support have also strengthened my connections with my students and colleagues, making every day rewarding,” Dr Chen said.

WSU union branch president David Burchell congratulated the successful academics but urged the university to “ensure that the program does indeed reduce our dependence on casual labour, as has been intended all along”.

Another appointee from the 2024 cohort, Pegah Marandi, said the career security allowed her to “pursue ambitious research avenues and deeply invest in my professional development” while also “enriching” her everyday life.