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UniMelb Branch 2026 Bargaining Updates

  • On Wednesday we met with University management to walk through our full log of claims.

    This is the agenda staff have set for bargaining.

    Fair pay. Safer workloads. Secure jobs. A better university.

    We covered everything, including:

    • A 20% pay rise to catch up with rising costs

    • Real control over workloads for academic and professional staff

    • A four-day week for professional staff

    • Protections against the misuse of AI

    • Stronger job security and limits on insecure work

    • Better conditions for casual staff and Graduate Researchers

    • New rights around cultural safety, equity, and leave

    A few key takeaways:

    • Management is engaging and asking questions, but already raising concerns about cost

    • We secured a commitment to a dedicated session on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and cultural safety

    • Workloads are clearly a central issue and will require deeper negotiation

    • Major claims like the four-day week and AI protections are now firmly on the table

    We’ve identified the key areas that need more time and focus, and we’re moving into the next phase of bargaining.

    Next bargaining meetings: 8 and 22 April

    Next NTEU all-members’ meeting: 24 April

  • At a meeting of NTEU UniMelb members today, 96% attending endorsed a log of claims for bargaining a new enterprise agreement with the University of Melbourne. Read the log here

12 Mar 2026 NTEU UniMelb Members Endorse Log of Claims

NTEU UniMelb 2026 Log of Claims

26 Feb Bargaining Table Update

26 March Bargaining Table Update

Bargaining Issue Videos

Academic Staff Workloads

Misconduct Clause Changes

Professional Staff Workloads

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  • The final consultation on the branch committee’s proposed log of claims is now complete. Read the final draft to be voted on at meeting of all UniMelb NTEU members to be held on 12 March here.

  • The NTEU University of Melbourne Branch Committee has shared its draft Log of Claims for a new Enterprise Agreement at the University.

    This document articulates our vision to improve pay and working conditions at the University and includes:

    • A 20% pay rise;

    • Academic staff control of workloads;

    • A 20%  reduction in working hours for professional staff with no loss of pay;

    • Reinstating the end-of year shutdown leave entitlement; and

    • Further limits on insecure work.

    It has been shaped by extensive work across our Branch, the national Union, and the entire University of Melbourne community.

    The branch will be consulting with members to ensure these priorities reflect the experience and ambition of members across the University.

    On Thursday 12 March 2026, branch members will come together to vote on the draft Log of Claims.

    If approved, it will then be served on University management as part of the enterprise bargaining process.

  • The NTEU University of Melbourne Branch welcomes the Chancellor’s swift appointment of an Interim Vice-Chancellor. 

    Providing leadership certainty at this moment is important for our University community and, most importantly, allows space for staff and students to process, mourn and begin healing following the passing of Professor Emma Johnston. 

    We look forward to working constructively with the Interim Vice-Chancellor, with a shared focus on care, stability, and meaningful consultation during this period.

  • The NTEU University of Melbourne branch is devastated by the news of the passing of our Vice Chancellor, Professor Emma Johnston. Our thoughts are with her family and everyone touched by her generous and curious spirit.