Branch News

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. 

The NTEU UniMelb Bargaining survey is now live and open to anyone employed by the University of Melbourne

For months now, members of the NTEU have been preparing through:

• UniMelb branch-level sessions

• Victorian division-wide planning

• A national sector-wide survey

• And hundreds (if not thousands) of conversations across our campuses

All of it to shape the staff agenda for the next round of bargaining.

This week kicks off the next phase: a survey of all UniMelb staff to inform our Log of Claims. 

We made real gains together in our last agreement including:

• Pay increases that kept UniMelb in the top 3 nationally

• Secure jobs for over a thousand colleagues moving off casual contracts

• Priority hiring rights into ongoing roles

• Research time guaranteed in new academic roles

• 29% increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment targets

• Parental leave of up to 38 weeks from day one of employment

• 30 days gender affirmation leave for all staff

Take the survey now!

The UniMelb NTEU branch joined a protest against the closure of Meanjin magazine.

On 4 September, Melbourne University Publishing (MUP) suddenly announced the closure of Meanjin — without warning or consultation.

Two editors have already been made redundant, and dozens of freelance writers and editors are set to lose work. MUP blames “financial reasons” — despite Meanjin receiving grants, subscriptions, and direct University funding. Remember: MUP is wholly owned by the University of Melbourne.

Meanjin is Australia’s oldest literary magazine and a cornerstone of our culture. It has published generations of writers and landmark works, including A.A. Phillips’ essay on “The Cultural Cringe.” Its loss would be a devastating blow to Australian literature and public debate.

Showing the University that this priceless cultural institution must not be shut down is critical.

The Fair Work Commission has confirmed that University of Melbourne must follow clause 1.15.9 of our Enterprise Agreement when hiring for ongoing jobs. read more here