Frequently Asked Questions about ACU’s remediation of underpayments program for employees

ACU identified underpayments affecting some casual (sessional) academic staff employed between 2016 and 2023.

These relate primarily to the incorrect application of higher pay rates for staff with PhD qualifications or those undertaking subject/unit coordination or Lecturer-in-Charge duties.

Under the ACU Staff Enterprise Agreement, these higher rates should apply to most relevant work activities. In some cases, they were not applied consistently, resulting in underpayments.

Approximately 1,100 current and former staff are affected.

The total estimated underpayment is around $3.6 million.

No. This issue only affects casual (sessional) academic staff who:

• held a PhD qualification, or
• undertook Lecturer-in-Charge duties

Yes. All impacted staff will receive:

• any wage shortfall
• interest
• superannuation (where applicable)

• Current staff: All eligible individuals have now been paid (commencing February 2024). Payslips are available in Staff Connect.
• Former staff: The majority have been paid. Where details are required, payment is made within 28 days of verification via the secure portal.

In some cases, records may have been incomplete. If you believe you have been contacted in error, please contact entitlements@acu.edu.au or call +61 7 3623 7272  (Option 4). 

ACU has:

• strengthened payroll and information systems and processes
• introduced additional controls and audits
• updated systems (including CAASS) from July 2024 to ensure correct rates are applied.

This is a complex, university-wide review. ACU undertook a detailed assessment with independent expert advice to ensure all affected staff were identified accurately. The broader review remains ongoing.

The investigation into this issue is complete. However the broader review of staff entitlements across the university continues.

• Current staff: Paid from September 2025
• Former staff: Majority paid; remaining payments processed once details are confirmed.

It means addressing underpayments properly and transparently, in line with both legal obligations and ACU’s values.

ACU is committed to treating every person with dignity and respect., consistent with Catholic Social teaching.

Yes. ACU has:

• voluntarily disclosed issues and has been providing regular updates to the Fair Work Ombudsman
• informed TEQSA and other regulators
• kept unions (NTEU and CPSU) informed through formal consultation processes.

ACU has used SMS to contact some former staff.

However, ACU will not send links via SMS. If a message includes a link, do not click it. Contact ACU directly to verify.

If you have clicked on a link in an SMS message which asks for your banking details and you think your banking details have been compromised, contact your bank immediately and also report it to Scamwatch.

Yes. Letters have been sent to former staff who did not respond to emails or SMS. Follow the instructions provided to update your details.

Contact entitlements@acu.edu.au or call +61 7 3623 7272 (Option 4). 

• Current staff: update via Staff Connect
• Former staff: email entitlements@acu.edu.au with your details 

You can request a review by providing details of:

• the work performed
• hours worked
• any supporting correspondence.

Send this to entitlements@acu.edu.au.

Please be aware that such claims will be carefully considered and investigated by the university but these processes may take some time as the progression of the Program must be prioritised by the Wage Compliance Program team.

Yes. Super contributions have been calculated and will be paid into your nominated fund.  

Superannuation contributions have been calculated at the current rate in accordance with the legislated Super Guarantee Charge (12% as at 1 July 2025).

A remediation interest rate of 10% per annum has been applied to the affected superannuation contributions, in line with ACU’s approach to compensating staff for the time value of the underpayment.

What if my super fund has changed?

• Current staff can update details via Service Central

Former staff will be asked to provide updated details via the secure portal

It may. If you are at risk of exceeding the concessional contributions cap, refer to the  Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. ACU cannot request adjustments on your behalf.

Interest is calculated in accordance with the Federal Court pre-judgement guidelines, up to the end of the relevant quarter.  Further information can be found at www.fedcourt.gov.au/forms-and-fees/interest-rates.

Protecting your personal information is important to us.

We will never ask you to confirm or provide your tax, banking or superannuation details by phone or email.

If we need to collect or update your information, we will do so using a secure process, such as a personal, one-time link to a secure online portal.

If we collect new personal information from you, we will provide a privacy collection notice explaining how that information will be handled, and where appropriate, we will seek your consent. We'll only use your information to manage your employment entitlements (including using third parties and systems to do so), but without your information ACU will be unable to pay your entitlement.

All relevant enquiries should be directed to the dedicated phone number or email address above.