Ongoing work should mean ongoing jobs. Insecure work undermines teaching quality. Stable jobs build stronger and more sustainable universities.
What we can win
Strengthen limitations on fixed-term employment and insecure work.
Why it is important
Too many university staff are stuck on rolling contracts doing permanent work. Broad, or simply too many, categories in university agreements let employers call ongoing jobs ‘temporary’, and that’s how thousands of skilled teachers, researchers and professional staff get trapped in insecurity year after year.
We want to change that. Stronger limits on fixed-term categories will stabilise the workforce, retain skilled staff, and bring university employment practices into line with community standards.
FAQs
The University needs flexibility
Flexibility already exists; however, flexibility shouldn’t mean insecurity for staff. What we’re challenging is the misuse of ‘flexibility’ to keep staff on rolling contracts for ongoing work. Tightening categories ensures fixed-term is used for its true purpose — not as a loophole to avoid job security.
The University can’t commit to ongoing roles because funding is uncertain
Funding uncertainty exists in every sector. Universities manage multi-billion-dollar budgets and diverse income streams.
The real issue isn’t uncertainty; it’s planning. Rolling fixed-term contracts are a short-term fix that creates long-term instability. Secure jobs allow staff to plan their lives, improve student outcomes, and strengthen the institution.
If the work is ongoing and the funding is recurring, the job should be too.
SEE ALL THE PRIORITIES →
Fair Pay. Better Universities.
Secure Jobs. Better Universities.
