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Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award pay rates 2026–27
The minimum hourly rates and penalty rates under the Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award 2020 [MA000006], in force from 1 July 2026. The lowest adult rate is $34.80 an hour, or $43.50 for casuals.
Minimum hourly rates
Adult rates per hour. The casual rate includes the casual loading. Junior, apprentice and trainee rates are set separately in the award.
| Classification | Full-time & part-time | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Level A — 1 | $34.80 | $43.50 |
| Level A — 3 | $35.89 | $44.86 |
| Level A — 2 | $36.20 | $45.25 |
| Level A — 4 | $38.90 | $48.63 |
| Level A — 5 | $39.95 | $49.94 |
| Level A — 6 | $41.08 | $51.35 |
| Level A — 7 | $42.21 | $52.76 |
| Level A — 8 | $43.35 | $54.19 |
| Level B — 1 | $45.09 | $56.36 |
| Standard marking | $45.22 | $56.53 |
| If academic does not hold a relevant doctoral qualification or perform full subject coordination duties | $45.22 | $56.53 |
| Level B — 2 | $46.40 | $58.00 |
| Level B — 3 | $47.71 | $59.64 |
| Level B — 4 | $49.02 | $61.28 |
| Level B — 5 | $50.32 | $62.90 |
| If academic holds a relevant doctoral qualification or performs full subject coordination duties | $51.36 | $64.20 |
| Standard marking (where academic holds a relevant doctoral qualification) | $51.36 | $64.20 |
| Level B — 6 | $51.63 | $64.54 |
| Level C — 1 | $52.94 | $66.18 |
| Level C — 2 | $54.25 | $67.81 |
| Level C — 4 | $56.86 | $71.08 |
| Marking as a supervising examiner, or marking requiring a significant exercise of academic judgment appropriate to an academic at level B status | $57.99 | $72.49 |
| Level C — 5 | $58.17 | $72.71 |
| Level C — 6 | $59.48 | $74.35 |
| Level D — 1 | $61.66 | $77.07 |
| Level D — 2 | $63.40 | $79.25 |
| Level D — 3 | $65.15 | $81.44 |
| Level C — 3 | $65.75 | $82.19 |
| Level D — 4 | $66.89 | $83.61 |
| Little preparation required (1 hour of delivery and 0.5 hours associated working time) | $67.88 | $84.85 |
| Little preparation required (1 hour of delivery and 0.5 hours associated working time) (where academic holds a relevant doctoral qualification) | $77.03 | $96.29 |
| Level E | $86.68 | $108.35 |
| Repeat tutorial (1 hour of delivery and 1 hour associated working time) | $90.48 | $113.10 |
| Musical accompanying (1 hour of delivery and 1 hour preparation time) | $90.48 | $113.10 |
| Normal preparation time (1 hour of delivery and 1 hour associated working time) | $90.48 | $113.10 |
| Normal preparation time (1 hour of delivery and 1 hour associated working time) (where academic holds a relevant doctoral qualification) | $102.67 | $128.34 |
| Repeat tutorial (1 hour of delivery and 1 hour associated working time) (where academic holds a relevant doctoral qualification) | $102.67 | $128.34 |
| Musical accompanying (1 hour of delivery and 1 hour preparation time) (where academic holds a relevant doctoral qualification) | $102.67 | $128.34 |
| Repeat lecture (1 hour of delivery and 1 hour associated working time) | $115.97 | $144.96 |
| Tutorial (1 hour of delivery and 2 hours associated working time) | $135.76 | $169.70 |
| Tutorial (1 hour of delivery and 2 hours associated working time) (where academic holds a relevant doctoral qualification) | $154.09 | $192.61 |
| Basic lecture (1 hour of delivery and 2 hours associated working time) | $173.99 | $217.49 |
| Developed lecture (1 hour of delivery and 3 hours associated working time) | $232.03 | $290.04 |
| Specialised lecture (1 hour of delivery and 4 hours associated working time) | $290.01 | $362.51 |
Source: the Fair Work Commission's published rates. Check them against the award or the Fair Work Ombudsman's pay guide.
Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award: common questions
What is the minimum pay rate under the Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award?
From 1 July 2026, the lowest adult classification, Level A — 1, is $34.80 an hour for full-time and part-time employees and $43.50 an hour for casuals, which includes the casual loading. Higher classifications are paid more; the full table is on this page.
When do Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award pay rates change?
The Fair Work Commission reviews minimum wages every year, and new rates usually apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July. The rates on this page apply from 1 July 2026.
How do I check a payslip against the Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award?
Upload the payslip to FairCheck's free payslip check. It reads the pay lines, confirms the award and classification with you, and shows whether the rates, penalties and super meet this award, with the reasoning for every line.