Spanning several years, the comprehensive review was initiated after concerns were raised about underpayments within the higher education sector.
In response, a dedicated team conducted a broad review of payroll compliance to identify any potential remediation requirements and ensure our systems are as robust as they can be. Since commencing that review, the University has centralised and improved employee procedures and systems to ensure these errors don’t happen again.
During the review, we have been in regular contact with the Office of Fair Work Ombudsman (OFWO) and kept our key stakeholders updated, these being the National Tertiary Union (NTEU) and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
What has been reviewed?
To date, Murdoch University has investigated and remediated:
- Professional casual classification and salary step progression.
- Pay and entitlements for Murdoch Active employees.
- Casual academic payments, including but not limited to the application of PHD and Unit Coordination rates.
The program has also identified further areas of investigation, which will commence during the second half of 2024:
- Long service leave for casual academic employees.
- Payments to casual academics for repeat lectures and tutorials.
What happens next?
The payroll remediation team is sending letters to affected employees to inform them about any potential impacts.
The University prioritises the confidentiality, privacy, and
security of your personal information, and we are committed to
safeguarding them effectively.
What to do if you received a letter
If you receive a letter stating you have been impacted, please follow the steps outlined in the letter. Finalise your documentation by completing the online form below, ensuring to upload a copy of your ID, verify your bank and superannuation details and sign and attach the acknowledgment form.
What to do if you did not receive a letter
Only employees who were impacted will receive a letter, which will be sent to the most recent contact details Murdoch University has recorded.
If you are a former employee who worked at Murdoch University from 1 January 2015 and your details have changed since your last day with us, please update your contact details using the online form below. This will assist us in contacting affected employees and, if required, validating your payment details.
Receiving your payment
Payment to former employees is expected to be made approximately 6-8 weeks after you have completed the online payment details form or provided your personal details form and ID for verification. A secondary letter will be sent to you via email advising of the pay date including the final financial impact.
FAQs
A dedicated team have been reviewing several years' worth of payroll data to identify overpayments and underpayments across a range of entitlement categories.
Following this review, if an employee is deemed to be affected by an underpayment, they will be contacted directly by the University outlining the impact. Any overpayments to an employee will not be recouped.
Steps have also been taken to correct the causes of any inaccuracies identified and findings will be reported to the Office of Fair Work Ombudsman (OFWO) and our key stakeholders, being the National Tertiary Union (NTEU) and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
You will receive a personalised letter outlining details of the remediation and impact to you. This will arrive as an email letter or post from Murdoch University’s Payroll Remediation Project Team. The letter will outline the impact and next steps.
While there is no obligation for interest payments to be made under our enterprise agreement, Murdoch University has elected to pay interest on remediated wages aligned with the Federal Court pre-judgement rate.
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may have a further tax refund or debt in relation to these payments. Please liaise with the Australian Taxation Office or an independent tax agent to discuss your tax reporting and payment obligations.
We highly recommend you consult the Australian Taxation Office or your personal tax advisor to discuss and obtain financial advice if a remediation payment is due to you.
If you do not wish to use the online form to finalise your documentation or update your details, please complete the 'Personal details form' below and email to payrollremediation@murdoch.edu.au, along with a copy of your ID, or email the team to arrange to deliver it in person.
Enquiries?
If you have questions about correspondence sent to you or your payment, contact the Payroll Remediation Project Team.
