Statement on payment for associated working time for casual academic staff

Casual academic staff at Torrens University Australia are paid separately for marking. Those arrangements have been in place since March 2026 and are set out in the University's Casual Academic Marking Procedure and Guideline.

Torrens University is also working to remediate affected staff in relation to the earlier period, and has been communicating with those staff directly and regularly about that process. We will continue to keep them informed as it progresses.

These arrangements follow a decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court on the interpretation of a provision of the Higher Education Industry—Academic Staff—Award 2020. The provision had not previously been settled, and at first instance the Federal Court endorsed Torrens University's interpretation. The Full Court reached a different conclusion, and Torrens University implemented the new arrangements promptly after that decision. The High Court declined to hear a further appeal in August 2026.

As the class action is before the Court, Torrens University will not be commenting further on it.

Torrens University remains committed to meeting its obligations under the Award and to supporting affected casual academic staff.

Media enquiries: media.enquiries@torrens.edu.au