Payment Remediation Program

The Payment Remediation Program is a University-led review in relation to compliance with wage obligations. The University has now concluded its review of payments to casual staff to ensure they receive their correct minimum engagement entitlements under the applicable Enterprise Agreement.

Where the review identifies that the minimum engagement requirements were not applied correctly and an additional payment is required, the University will provide a remediation payment for any amounts owed, plus interest and superannuation payments.

The program also includes improvements to processes and systems to help ensure payments are accurate in the future.

The University is undertaking the Payment Remediation Program to ensure casual staff receive any minimum engagement entitlements they may be owed under the relevant Enterprise Agreement.

Like many Australian universities, Flinders University undertook this review as part of ongoing efforts to ensure staff are paid correctly and receive their workplace entitlements.

The review found that these requirements were not applied correctly for some casual staff. This does not mean staff worked without being paid. Rather, in some circumstances, staff were paid for the hours they worked but were not employed for the minimum three-hour engagement period applicable to their engagement. Not all casual staff were subject to the same three-hour minimum engagement requirement, as multiple exemptions apply under our Enterprise Agreement. The University has since reviewed these arrangements, implemented additional controls and monitoring, and commenced remediation activities to identify and address any outstanding entitlements.

The review found that minimum engagement requirements for some casual staff were not consistently identified and applied in certain circumstances.

Contributing factors included limitations in processes and awareness of minimum engagement requirements, as well as system limitations that did not always support the correct application of those entitlements.

The University has since implemented a range of improvements to strengthen compliance, including additional training and guidance, enhanced system controls and alerts, and ongoing monitoring processes to help ensure minimum engagement requirements are applied correctly going forward.

Yes. The University has proactively engaged with the Fair Work Ombudsman throughout the Payment Remediation Program and has provided regular updates on the progress of the program.

The University's remediation approach has also been informed by the Fair Work Ombudsman's Payroll Remediation Program Guide, helping to support a fair, transparent and consistent approach to remediation.

This engagement reflects the University's commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the remediation process.

The University has implemented a range of improvements to strengthen payment governance, compliance and assurance practices.

These include additional training and guidance for staff and managers, enhanced system controls and alerts, ongoing monitoring processes, increased compliance oversight, and strengthened governance arrangements.

The Payment Remediation Program forms part of the University's commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, and ensuring staff receive their correct workplace entitlements.

The review relates to casual staff who may not have received their minimum engagement entitlement under the relevant Enterprise Agreement.

The University undertook a detailed review to identify casual staff who may be entitled to a remediation payment where minimum engagement requirements may not have been applied correctly.

The University reviewed casual shifts recorded in Workday that were less than three hours in duration within the review period. These records were then assessed against the relevant Enterprise Agreement requirements, including any applicable exemptions.

Where the review identified that a staff member may be entitled to an additional payment, a remediation calculation was completed using a methodology that was independently reviewed by an external assurance provider.

If a staff member is identified as being entitled to a remediation payment, they were contacted directly by the University.

The University has undertaken a detailed review to identify current and former casual staff who may be entitled to a remediation payment.

The University is in the process of contacting all impacted individuals directly and providing information about the remediation process, their remediation payment, and the support available to them.

If you are a current or former casual staff member and believe your employment may be covered by this review but you have not been contacted, please contact the Payment Query Team.

Under the relevant Enterprise Agreements, some casual staff were entitled to a minimum engagement requirement, including a minimum three-hour engagement in certain circumstances.

Not every casual staff member was subject to the three-hour minimum, and relevant exemptions applied in some circumstances.

Remediation payments have been calculated using the casual pay rates that applied at the time the work was performed.

As the review covers work historically performed and across different Enterprise Agreements, the applicable casual pay rate was determined based on the rates in effect at the time each shift was worked.

Payment timeframes will vary for each individual. Once your banking, superannuation and tax information has been confirmed, your remediation payment will be processed as soon as possible. We will contact you if any additional information is required to finalise your payment.

Yes. Remediation payments will be taxed in accordance with applicable taxation requirements.

Information about any tax withheld will be included with your payment information. If you have questions about your individual tax circumstances, you may wish to seek independent financial or taxation advice.

Yes. Remediation payments will include an interest component.

Details of the remediation payment, including interest applied, will be provided to staff who are entitled to a remediation payment.

Yes. Superannuation contributions will be paid at the current rate of 12%, which is generally higher than the rate that would have applied at the time the hours were worked.

Interest will also be paid on any superannuation amounts identified through the remediation process.

The University cannot provide personal financial, taxation or legal advice.

If you have questions about how a remediation payment may affect your individual circumstances, we encourage you to seek independent professional advice.

Yes. If you are entitled to a remediation payment and no longer live in Australia, no longer have an Australian bank account, or are no longer an Australian tax resident, please contact the Payment Query Team.

The team will work with you to discuss available payment options and any information required to support the payment process.

Yes. The review included current and former casual staff whose employment records were assessed to determine whether applicable minimum engagement requirements had been correctly applied. If the review identified that you are entitled to a remediation payment, the University will contact you directly and provide information about your payment and any next steps.

If your contact details or personal information have changed since your employment with Flinders University, please contact the Payment Query Team.

The University has undertaken a detailed review of historical employment records to identify casual staff who may be entitled to a remediation payment where applicable minimum engagement requirements were not correctly applied.

If you believe your employment may be covered by this review and you have not been contacted by the University, please contact the Payment Query Team for further assistance.

The University is committed to ensuring all staff are treated fairly and consistently throughout the remediation process.

If you have questions about the outcome of the review, or believe relevant information may not have been considered, please contact the Payment Query Team. The University will review and consider any information provided as part of the remediation process.

If you have questions about the Payment Remediation Program, your remediation payment, or your individual circumstances, please contact the Payment Query Team.

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (excluding public holidays).

The Payment Query Team can provide information about the review, the remediation process, and available support. The University is committed to providing timely, transparent and accessible information throughout the remediation process.