The university’s enterprise agreement expired a year back and there are no new salary increases agreed in negotiations for the next one

Vice Chancellor Iain Martin tells staff, “we are very conscious of the cost-of-living increases across Australia and the resultant financial pressures on you and your families.”

The increase is below the 4.6 per cent increase announced by the University of Tasmania, in similar industrial circumstances, but ahead of the 2.1 per cent (plus $1000 flat) Uni Sydney committed to in May (CMM July 11, May 31).

However all are below the National Tertiary Education Union’s call for all universities to pay a 5 per cent per annum rise across new three years agreements.

Professor Martin explained the pay rise as, “to reasonably balance the need to ensure our current and future financial position, key external economic indicators and our commitment to supporting you and recognising your contributions.”