Fair Work Ombudsman
Citation: FWO-2025-12-09-monash-university-enforceable-undertaking-media-release
At a glance
- Respondent
- Monash University
- Penalty
- $20,700,000
- Employees affected
- 10877
What happened
Monash University signed an Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman after identifying more than $20.7 million in underpayments, including interest and superannuation, to 10,877 staff over an 11-year period. Underpayments affected staff across all 10 Monash faculties. Most affected employees were casual academic sessional staff, with a smaller group of casual research assistants. Monash failed to pay correct rates for original and repeat tutorials, did not meet minimum engagement obligations, and underpaid rates for original lectures and tutorials under multiple enterprise agreements.
What was decided
Under the EU, Monash will complete the $20.7 million in payments and make a $350,000 contrition payment to the Commonwealth Consolidated Revenue Fund. It must also implement a range of compliance measures. The figures are remediation and contrition, not a civil penalty. Proportions of Information Technology and Medicine, Nursing and Health Science staff affected were about 26 per cent each.
What it means for employers
Piece-rate style payments for casual academics — per tutorial, per lecture, per student — must be calibrated against both minimum engagement rules and the actual time the work takes. Faculties with high casual proportions need tighter compliance controls, not lighter ones. Every faculty's casual pay practices should be reviewed.
What it means for employees
Monash casual sessional staff should check whether their per-tutorial and per-lecture rates met minimum engagement requirements and reflected actual work. Research assistants are also in scope. Monash is running a remediation program for affected staff.
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This summary was drafted from the published decision and reviewed before publishing. It is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, speak to the Fair Work Ombudsman (13 13 94) or a qualified lawyer. About these summaries & corrections