NTEU Wins: Deakin finally fesses up to wage theft

Today, Vice-Chancellor Iain Martin confessed that Deakin University has stolen the wages of casual staff, and as a result, will report themselves to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

This follows a two-year effort, led by NTEU and brave members, who have worked to expose the systemic underpayment of sessional academic staff at the university. They have appeared before the Fair Work Commission, been interviewed by Deakin’s lawyers, and rallied at Burwood.

Deakin’s confession is the result of their bravery and the work of the NTEU and will likely result in millions of dollars of stolen wages being returned to some of the lowest paid employees in our sector.

While we acknowledge Deakin’s proposed remediation it does not go far enough.

After denying wage theft for over two years, they’ve now only confessed to underpayment in two schools. We have provided Deakin management evidence and know of underpayments across the University and they need to work with NTEU to find a complete and satisfactory resolution. We’d strongly encourage you to contact the branch if you’d like to learn more: deakin@PROTECTED or visit or website Home Public (nteu.au)

A Brief History of the Dispute

In June 2022, NTEU filed a dispute with the University alleging widespread and systematic wage theft of sessional for marking activities across the university.  In November that year we referred the matter to the Fair Work Commission, where we have appeared on 5 separate occasions to try to resolve the dispute.

T management vehemently denied any wrongdoing and denied the existence of a piece rate or marking formula that limits the number of hours staff can claim for marking activities. They have maintained this position, denying any wrongdoing, and even saying that a piece rate did not exist as late as February 2024 at an appearance at the Fair Work Commission. 

What comes next?

Deakin has only confessed to underpayments in two schools. NTEU will continue to advocate for a broader remediation. The union has engaged a barrister and, absent Deakin management taking appropriate engagement with NTEU, will soon initiate penalty proceedings in the Federal Court.

We want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us in this campaign, sometimes at great personal and professional cost. We welcome the Deakin management’s confession and hope they now approach NTEU to work toward a settlement that fairly compensates all staff.

In Unity

Deakin NTEU Branch

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