Goal 8:
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Employment Practice: Living Wage
The University of Newcastle’s enterprise agreement ensures that all staff are remunerated well above the statutory minimum, and in practice well above a locally‑defined living wage benchmark. These are split between academic and professional. The current Enterprise Agreements were approved by the Fair Work Commission in September 2023 and remained in force in 2024 and beyond until they are replaced.
- Under Schedule 3 of the University of Newcastle Academic Staff and Teachers Enterprise Agreement, the starting salary for a Level A academic is approximately AUD $79,000 per year. This figure is substantially higher than the Fair Work Commission’s national minimum wage in Australia (which is about AUD $45,000 per year, depending on role and conditions).
- Under Schedule 3 of the University of Newcastle Professional Staff Enterprise Agreement the starting salary for a HEW 1 professional is approximately AUD$55,000, which is also higher than the Fair Work Commission's national minimum wage.
The estimated reasonable living wage for Newcastle is approximately AUD $3,200–$3,500 per month after tax, or ~AUD $41,600–$45,500 per year. That benchmark is designed to allow for stable housing, nutritious food, transport, healthcare, and modest discretionary spending. Given that our starting academic salary (~AUD $79,000 academic, and professional starting salary (~AUD$55,000 professional) exceed that living‑wage benchmark, the University demonstrates that it pays at least a living wage to academic staff.
Enterprise agreements
Our two Enterprise Agreements set out in detail the employment conditions and salaries of staff at the University of Newcastle.
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.