Goal 8:
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Employment Practice: Labour Rights
The University of Newcastle explicitly recognises the rights of all staff, including women and international staff, to join and be represented by unions, and to engage in collective bargaining.
- Clauses 7.5.4 to 7.5.13 of the Academic Staff & Teachers Enterprise Agreement establish that staff may join unions (e.g. NTEU) and be represented in industrial relations.
- The Enterprise Agreement ensures that union recognition and collective bargaining rights apply across the academic and teaching workforce, without exclusion by gender or nationality.
- The University’s newer agreements also include expanded union rights provisions, such as time‑release for delegates, training leave, access to staff communications, and recognition of union roles in consultation processes.
These agreements were established in 2023, effective throughout 2024, and have continued into 2025.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.