Enforceable Undertaking with the Fair Work Ombudsman reinforces UNSW’s ongoing work to remediate affected employees and strengthen compliance.
UNSW has reached an important milestone in its ongoing pay remediation program, signing an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with the Fair Work Ombudsman that builds upon the University’s ongoing work to remediate affected employees, strengthen systems and processes, and embed sustainable payroll compliance.
Since identifying issues and making a voluntary disclosure to the Fair Work Ombudsman, UNSW has been undertaking a significant payroll remediation program, reviewing all staff cohorts, repaying affected current and former staff, strengthening pay systems and governance, and implementing new controls designed to support long term compliance.
Through the EU, UNSW has committed to completing identified remediation activities, continuing to repay affected current and former employees, and strengthening the governance, reporting and independent assurance arrangements required to ensure compliance.
Vice-Chancellor & President, Professor Attila Brungs said: “We apologise unreservedly to every current and former staff member who was affected by these underpayments. Paying our people correctly is a fundamental responsibility of the University. While we cannot change what occurred, we have worked hard to understand why it happened, forensically identify historical incidents and continue to repay what is owed. We have and will continue to strengthen our systems, governance and capability to prevent this from happening again.
“Signing this Undertaking is an important milestone but is not the end of our work. It reaffirms our commitment to continue strengthening our approach and rebuilding the confidence of our staff, regulators and the broader community. We remain committed to getting this right.”
UNSW welcomes Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth’s recognition of the University’s commitment to fully remediating impacted staff and strengthening future compliance, and thanks the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman for its constructive and collegiate approach in working with the University to address historical pay remediation issues.
Progress to date
Since UNSW first identified underpayments, the University has:
expanded its historical review to include all staff cohorts
repaid current and former staff, including interest and superannuation where applicable
introduced mandatory compliance training on pay and record-keeping obligations
centralised the engagement of casual staff to improve consistency and compliance
implemented a new time and attendance system
established a confidential Employee Advocate portal to support staff with pay-related questions or concerns
strengthened governance, payroll oversight and compliance monitoring across the University.
Further information on UNSW’s remediation program can be found on the UNSW website .
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