Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award 2020 2025 Pay Rates (MA000006)

Plain-English Summary

Who does this award cover?

The Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award 2020 covers academic staff employed in higher education institutions, including lecturers, senior lecturers, associate professors, and professors. If you teach, research, or hold an academic appointment at a university or higher education provider, this award applies to you. It covers approximately 60,000 workers across Australia.

This award does NOT cover general (non-academic) staff at universities (Higher Education Industry -- General Staff Award, MA000007), TAFE or vocational education teachers (Educational Services (Post-Secondary Education) Award, MA000075), or school teachers (Educational Services (Teachers) Award, MA000077). See clause 4.1 for the full coverage terms.

How classification levels work

The award classifies academic staff into levels from Level A (Associate Lecturer) through to Level E (Professor). Each level reflects increasing responsibility for teaching, research, and academic leadership. Levels A and B cover lecturers and senior lecturers, Level C covers associate professors, and Levels D and E cover professors and distinguished professors.

Key features of this award

Academic staff rates include loadings for clinical and professorial responsibilities. Casual academic staff are paid per hour of lecture, tutorial, or marking work, with rates that vary depending on the type of academic activity performed.

Classification Levels and Base Rates

All rates effective 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review 2024-25.

Refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000006 for current dollar amounts for each classification level. Hourly rate = weekly rate / 38. Casual rate = hourly rate x 1.25.

Penalty Rates

Penalty rate multipliers from the Fair Work Commission penalty rate schedule for MA000006. All penalties are calculated on the base hourly rate.

The award specifies penalty rates ranging from 100% to 100% depending on when and how you work.

Full-Time and Part-Time Employees

Casual Employees

Penalty rate categories in this award

The following penalty rate descriptions apply under MA000006:

• Dentally qualified: Medical school or dental school in the teaching of medical or dental students
• Medically qualified: Full clinical department in a medical school and responsible for patient care
• Medically qualified: Para-clinical department in a medical school
• Medically qualified: Pre-clinical department in a medical school
• Minimum hourly rate

Casual penalty rates include the 25% casual loading. Refer to the specific award clauses for exact percentages applicable to each classification level and employment type.

Worked Examples

Example 1: Casual worker on a Sunday

A casual employee working a 3 hours-hour minimum shift on a Sunday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000006 pay guide
• Sunday casual rate: base rate x Sunday casual penalty percentage
• Minimum payment: Sunday casual rate x 3 hours hours
• Clause reference: refer to casual penalty rates clause

Example 2: Full-time worker on a public holiday

A full-time employee working an 8-hour public holiday shift.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000006 pay guide
• Public holiday rate: base rate x public holiday percentage (up to 100%)
• Total: public holiday rate x 8 hours
• Clause reference: refer to public holiday clause

Example 3: Part-time worker with overtime

A part-time employee who works 2 hours beyond their rostered hours on a weekday.

• Base hourly rate: refer to your classification level in the MA000006 pay guide
• Overtime rate: base rate x overtime percentage
• Clause reference: refer to overtime clause

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are casual academic rates calculated?

Casual academics are paid per hour based on the type of work: lectures, tutorials, marking, or other academic activity. Each type has a different hourly rate reflecting the preparation time involved. A one-hour lecture is typically paid at a rate that includes preparation time.

2. Does this award cover research-only staff?

Yes, research-only academic staff are covered by this award, classified at the appropriate level (A through E) based on their qualifications, experience, and responsibilities.

3. What about sessional and contract academic staff?

Fixed-term and sessional academic staff are covered. The award includes specific provisions for fixed-term employees, including minimum hourly rates for casual engagement.

4. What is the minimum shift length under this award?

The minimum engagement for casual and part-time employees is 3 hours per shift. Even if you are sent home early, you must be paid for the minimum shift length.

5. How do I check my exact pay rate?

Use our free calculator or refer to the Fair Work Commission pay guide for MA000006. You can also contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for free advice.

Check Your Rate

Working in higher education and want to know your exact pay rate? Use our free calculator to check.

Check your pay rate now

Select your academic level, employment type, and the nature of your academic work.

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Breadcrumb Schema

Home > Awards > Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award 2020 (MA000006)

Rates current as of 1 July 2025. Source: Fair Work Commission, CC BY 4.0. This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Always verify rates against the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay and Conditions Tool (PACT) at calculate.fairwork.gov.au.