Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award 2020 — Pay Rates July 2026
Minimum pay rates effective 1 July 2026 under the Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award 2020. All rates verified directly against the official Fair Work Commission pay guide published 24 June 2026.
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Effective 1 July 2026 · Adult rates only · Source: Fair Work Commission
| Classification | Full-time / Part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Level A1 | $34.80/hr | — |
| Level A2 | $36.20/hr | — |
| Level A3 | $37.59/hr | — |
| Level A4 | $38.90/hr | — |
| Level A5 | $39.95/hr | — |
| Level A6 | $41.08/hr | — |
| Level A7 | $42.21/hr | — |
| Level A8 | $43.35/hr | — |
| Level B1 | $45.09/hr | — |
| Standard marking | — | $45.22/hr |
| Other academic activity - no doctorate/subject coordination | — | $45.22/hr |
| Level B2 | $46.40/hr | — |
| Level B3 | $47.71/hr | — |
| Level B4 | $49.02/hr | — |
| Level B5 | $50.32/hr | — |
| Other academic activity - holds doctorate/performs subject coordination | — | $51.36/hr |
| Standard marking - academic holds Doctorate | — | $51.36/hr |
| Level B6 | $51.63/hr | — |
| Level C1 | $52.94/hr | — |
| Level C2 | $54.25/hr | — |
| Level C3 | $55.55/hr | — |
| Level C4 | $56.86/hr | — |
| Marking as supervising examiner (level B) - academic holds Doctorate | — | $57.99/hr |
| Marking as supervising examiner (level B status) | — | $57.99/hr |
| Level C5 | $58.17/hr | — |
| Level C6 | $59.48/hr | — |
| Level D1 | $61.66/hr | — |
| Level D2 | $63.40/hr | — |
| Level D3 | $65.15/hr | — |
| Level D4 | $66.89/hr | — |
| Undergrad clinical nurse ed - little prep (1hr+0.5hr) | — | $67.88/hr |
| Level E | $76.48/hr | — |
| Undergrad clinical nurse ed - little prep - academic holds Doctorate | — | $77.03/hr |
| Musical accompanying (1hr delivery + 1hr preparation) | — | $90.48/hr |
| Undergrad clinical nurse ed - normal prep (1hr+1hr) | — | $90.48/hr |
| Repeat tutorial (1hr delivery + 1hr associated working time) | — | $90.48/hr |
| Musical accompanying (1hr+1hr) - academic holds Doctorate | — | $102.67/hr |
| Undergrad clinical nurse ed - normal prep - academic holds Doctorate | — | $102.67/hr |
| Repeat tutorial (1hr+1hr) - academic holds Doctorate | — | $102.67/hr |
| Repeat lecture (1hr delivery + 1hr associated working time) | — | $115.97/hr |
| Tutorial (1hr delivery + 2hr associated working time) | — | $135.76/hr |
| Tutorial (1hr+2hr) - academic holds Doctorate | — | $154.09/hr |
| Basic lecture (1hr delivery + 2hr associated working time) | — | $173.99/hr |
| Developed lecture (1hr delivery + 3hr associated working time) | — | $232.03/hr |
| Specialised lecture (1hr delivery + 4hr associated working time) | — | $290.01/hr |
Common questions about the Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award
What is the minimum wage under the Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award?
The minimum full-time rate under the Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award from 1 July 2026 is $34.80 per hour. Casual employees receive an additional 25% loading, making the minimum casual rate $— per hour.
What is the casual loading under the Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award?
Casual employees receive a 25% casual loading on top of the base rate, which compensates for the lack of paid leave entitlements. Casual penalty rates for weekends, evenings and public holidays are usually higher again than the full-time/part-time penalty rates - not just the base rate plus 25% - so check the specific casual figures in the table above rather than estimating.
When did the Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award rates last change?
Current rates took effect 1 July 2026 following the Fair Work Commission Annual Wage Review decision, which applied a 4.75% increase to Modern Award minimum rates (the National Minimum Wage floor for award-free workers rose separately, by 5.97%, to $26.44/hr). Rates are reviewed and updated every 1 July.
What happens if my employer pays me less than the Higher Education Industry - Academic Staff - Award minimum?
Paying below the award minimum is a breach of the Fair Work Act 2009. You can report underpayment to the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or call 13 13 94. Investigations are free and you may be entitled to back pay for up to 6 years.
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Start free wage checkAll rates sourced from Fair Work Commission pay guides effective 1 July 2026. Rates verified against official FWC published documents and updated annually on 1 July. This is factual information only — not legal advice. FairLanding (ABN 34 583 311 963) operates under Section 280 of the Migration Act 1958. For advice specific to your situation, contact the Fair Work Ombudsman at fairwork.gov.au or 13 13 94.