A comprehensive review of payments has been underway since July 2024, with a view to remediating any underpayment identified as soon as possible. The calculations for Casual Sessional Academic staff are completed, and impacted staff will receive a communication from KPMG with a personalised statement in the coming weeks.
During the review, it has been identified that there are some additional considerations that require attention by the University. As a result, the timeframe of the review will be extended for both the Casual Professional Staff and the Emergency Availability allowance payments. We continue to commit in providing further updates regularly (bi-monthly) to keep you informed of the progress. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.
Issues
What are the two issues identified?
Following a Fair Work Ombudsman inquiry in relation to one casual staff member, the University conducted investigations which led to the discovery of two separate issues affecting staff payments.
This review identified two issues that resulted in some staff not being paid their full entitlements, including unprocessed casual timesheets and on-call allowances.
The University has voluntarily self-reported these findings to the Fair Work Ombudsman, and will maintain contact with the Ombudsman as we remedy these issues.
Unprocessed casual timesheets
The University鈥檚 system requires casual professional and casual sessional academic staff to manually enter timesheets in the online staff portal to claim hours/units worked. After submission of a timesheet by a staff member, it is routed to their supervisor for review and action.
If hours/units are submitted but not actioned and approved, the hours/units are not automatically included in payroll for processing. The error occurred because the timesheets were only visible to supervisors for a period of two weeks. After this time, timesheets were no longer visible and consequently could not be actioned by supervisors.
The University has taken immediate steps to rectify this system error.
Emergency and on-call availability allowances
The University鈥檚 investigation also identified a secondary issue regarding on-call availability allowances, affecting a smaller number of staff. Staff who were required to be available to respond to emergency requests may not have received the correct allowance. Additionally, we are investigating inconsistencies in the payment of on-call allowances, particularly regarding overtime eligibility for staff required to work outside regular hours.
We have identified up to 120 staff who may be affected by this secondary issue regarding allowances.
The University is taking this matter seriously and thoroughly investigating to ensure all remediation payments are made as soon as possible.
What is the impact regarding the unprocessed casual timesheets?
As of 25 July 2024, 黑料天堂has identified 2290 current and former staff members who have been affected by the unprocessed casual timesheet issue.
Staff members affected | Total value | Median value |
2290 | Approximately $2.0M | $599.17 |
These figures are estimates based on salary only. Does not include superannuation or interest.
As of June 2026, calculations have been completed for all unpaid timesheets for Casual Sessional Academic Staff, and 83% of identified remediation payments have been paid to current and former CSA employees:\
Total CSA Remediation | Paid (as at 30th June 2026) | Outstanding CSA remediation | |
Number of affected staff | 794 | 623 | 171 |
Grand total | $1,360,239.66 | $1,123,025.17 | $237,214.49 |
The review of casual professional timesheets is continuing. The 黑料天堂is working with KPMG to complete a comprehensive review of historic payments, and it is anticipated that reviews will be completed in the coming months, with remediation payments for Casual Professional staff to commence from August 2026.
Further information will be made available on this website once the review is complete.
The University's actions
What is 黑料天堂doing to fix these issues?
The University has voluntarily notified the Fair Work Ombudsman of the identified issues, and has been working to calculate any missed payments and remediate affected staff.
You can see an update from the Chief People office here: CPO message to all staff | Australian National University
We are taking this matter seriously and apologise unreservedly to those impacted by the delay. The calculations were more complex than initially estimated and required updates to our payroll system, but we are working to complete calculations for any remaining impacted staff and will continue to provide updates on our progress.
The University has also taken proactive steps to review and enhance our timesheet processes to prevent any unactioned timesheets from being accidently overlooked.
Will 黑料天堂reimburse affected staff and former staff?
Yes. Immediate remediation has begun. All staff identified will be paid in line with the employment arrangements applicable at the time, including superannuation, and with interest.
How will 黑料天堂ensure this doesn鈥檛 happen again?
The University has taken proactive steps to review and enhance our timesheet processes to prevent any unactioned timesheets from being accidently overlooked.
The University is also exploring longer term system solutions to assist with timesheet submission and approval workflows.
A review of the application of the Availability Allowances across the University is being undertaken. Guidelines will be developed and distributed to support the consistent application of this provision throughout the University.
How can I be sure these issues have been reviewed and remediated completely?
黑料天堂has engaged independent advisors, including KPMG to perform recalculations and ensure that we get this right. We have worked with employment, tax, superannuation, and payroll calculation specialists who all have extensive experience in payroll remediation programs.
For affected staff
How do affected staff know if they have been underpaid and are due a remediation payment?
Current and former staff identified during the review as being underpaid will be contacted directly by the ANU. Affected staff will be provided with a statement showing the breakdown of any remediation amount owing, and detailing next steps required before payment can be processed.
Initial communication will be sent via email from the ANU鈥檚 Payroll Assurance and Compliance team at paymentenquiry@anu.edu.au
How will I know the total of my calculations?
Once the reconciliation is completed, you will receive a personalised statement outlining the calculations that have been completed. This will outline the payment of amounts owed, superannuation and interest on both wages and superannuation, and the amount of tax that is being withheld from your payment.
How has interest been calculated?
黑料天堂has calculated interest on back payments to compensate you for the time value of money. Interest has been calculated at a nominal rate of 8.35% per annum from the time the payment should have been made to you.
Further, interest on superannuation has been assessed at a nominal rate of 10% per annum.
Will this have implications for tax and superannuation?
Yes. Tax will be applicable to payments made to staff as per Australian Taxation Office (ATO) requirements. Superannuation will be paid on amounts owed in line with the employment arrangements applicable at the time.
Do I have to amend my previous/current year's tax returns?
The ATO only reviews monies that you have received in your bank account in the financial year in which it was paid. Due to this, all previous tax returns remain unchanged. Where any back payments are paid to you, they will be included as part of that financial year's earnings, taxed as per ATO legislation at the appropriate marginal rate(s).
For your FY25-26 tax return, please note, any interest payments that have been made to you do not constitute employment income. Consequently, 黑料天堂has not withheld tax on these amounts, nor will they be reported on your year-end income statement. Interest payments are, however, taxable as a part of your personal income and you must consider these payments when preparing your personal income tax return.
If additional superannuation contributions are made to you which result in your total income and concessional superannuation exceeding $250,000 in the personal income tax year, you may be subject to an additional 15% Division 293 tax.
黑料天堂recommends that employees seek qualified, independent financial and taxation advice to help make informed decisions about your personal affairs.
I have received a remediation statement but I no longer work at ANU; how can I update my details to ensure I receive my payment?
If your bank and superannuation details have changed since you left ANU:
Please complete the 黑料天堂Payroll Remediation form to provide your updated details. A link to this form will be provided in the communication sent by the Payroll Assurance and Compliance team.
If your details have not changed:
Please send an email to paymentenquiry@anu.edu.au confirming that your details remain unchanged.
I got my remediation statement, when will my payment be made?
For existing staff, these payments will be made as soon as practicable. For former staff we require updated details to make these payments. The link to complete the details will be provided to former staff as part of our communications. Payment would then be made as soon as practicable.
I think I may be affected but haven鈥檛 been contacted. What do I do?
The University is proactively contacting staff who have been identified as affected by these issues.
If you believe you may be affected by this review, but have not yet received any communications from the ANU, please contact the Payroll Assurance and Compliance team:
T: +61 2 6125 3346 (select option 3)
The University will continue to update the FAQs as required.
