Payroll review

The higher education sector is appropriately being scrutinised for ensuring staff are correctly paid for their work. Griffith takes the matter of pay compliance seriously, and to ensure our payroll systems and practices are robust and staff are paid correctly, the University commenced an in-depth review.

The review identified inconsistencies across different organisational units in managing time and attendance records and interpreting entitlements, leading to some staff not being paid correctly.

In-depth reviews of payments for current and former casual academic staff with doctoral qualifications, course convening roles and different types of teaching activities are complete, along with salary rates for language instructors.

Reviews of Proctor payments and conditions, Research Assistant casual loadings, fitness staff allowances, salary scale progression, contracted hour payments and minimum engagement provisions have also been completed.

The majority of remediation payments are now finalised for these reviews. The University continues to investigate other payment issues and will provide an update in due course.

While some instances of overpayment were identified in the review, unless there is evidence of misconduct the University will not pursue these and is focused on reimbursing staff that have been underpaid as quickly as possible.

All current staff members affected by the payroll review have been paid.

The University notifies former staff via SMS, email and post to their last known mobile number, personal and alumni emails and postal addresses. If you’ve moved or changed your email address, please email wagetrust@griffith.edu.au.

If you have not been notified by the University and believe you are entitled to a remediation payment, please email wagetrust@griffith.edu.au with details of your claim.

Once the University has verified your details, including bank account details, remediation payments will follow within 22 days.

To protect your personal information, please call the Payroll Review team at +61 (07) 3735 4011 (select option 2) to update your bank details and verify your credentials.

To protect your personal information, we cannot verify your credentials or accept bank account details via email.

You will need to verify your credentials and update your bank details over the phone. Please call the Payroll Review team at +61 (07) 3735 4011 (select option 2) or email hrandsafety@griffith.edu.au to arrange a video call.

This is being calculated based on your individual circumstances.

Your payment amount, excluding interest and superannuation, will be subject to income tax. A breakdown of income tax will be available on your payslip, which current staff can access via the Staff Portal. Payslips will be mailed to former staff members’ last known postal addresses.

Griffith must report any payments to staff to the Australian Taxation Office which may impact your taxation and eligibility for government benefits. We strongly recommend that if you receive a remediation payment and receive government benefits, you contact Services Australia (Centrelink) and seek their advice on your individual circumstances.

If a payment is due to a deceased former employee, the University will endeavour to contact the executor or administrator of the estate.

All payments to staff will be included on your income statement at the end of the financial year.

The University has proactively engaged with the Fair Work Ombudsman and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) throughout the review process.

The University welcomes your feedback. Please send your questions and comments to the Payroll Review team at wagetrust@griffith.edu.au.

If you think your payment is incorrect, please email wagetrust@griffith.edu.au with details supporting your claim.