Posted on January 23, 2026, by The HR Bridge Team
On 12 December 2025, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) announced that the University of Tasmania (UTAS) had entered into an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) to rectify underpayments totalling more than $21.4 million (including wages, interest, and superannuation). This massive remediation affects 10,443 current and former employees over 11 years, from March 2014 to July 2025.
The breaches primarily impacted casual professional and academic staff, with issues including:
- Failure to apply a minimum of three-hour engagements for casual shifts
- Unpaid penalty rates, overtime, shift work, weekend and public holiday pay
- Missing leave entitlements, termination payments, and allowances
- Inaccurate record-keeping for casual hours
Root causes were identified as poor governance and deficiencies in the payroll system. Individual back-payments range from under $6 to over $280,000.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth commended UTAS for self-reporting in 2021 and committing to robust corrective measures, but warned:
“The matter serves as a warning of the significant long-running problems that can result from an employer failing to have appropriate checks and balances.”
She emphasised that improving compliance in universities remains a top FWO priority.
Under the EU, UTAS must complete all back-payments, make a $175,000 contrition payment, implement staff training, independent audits, system improvements, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
This is the latest in a series of actions against Australian universities, with 10 other EUs signed nationally and court proceedings against others.
Building a Stronger HR Bridge in Higher Education
Cases like UTAS highlight the critical “HR bridge” needed between complex enterprise agreements, casual workloads, and accurate payroll in the education sector. Gaps in award interpretation, record-keeping, or governance can lead to systemic underpayments and significant financial and reputational risks, particularly for institutions without a dedicated human resources business partner.
Specialist providers like HR Bridge Australia (hrbridgeau.com) support universities and educational institutions in strengthening this bridge through outsourced HR expertise.
With extensive experience in Fair Work compliance, HR Bridge AU helps navigate enterprise agreements, casual employment rules, and payroll complexities, and is trusted by many as the best hr outsourcing company in Australia for compliance-focused organisations.
How HR Bridge AU Helps Prevent Underpayment Risks
HR Bridge AU offers practical solutions tailored to the education sector, acting as a reliable Human Resources Business Partner for institutions managing complex workforce arrangements:
- Award & Agreement Interpretation — Expert guidance on enterprise agreements, minimum engagements, penalties, and casual loadings to ensure accurate pay.
- Payroll Management & Audits — Reviews and ongoing management to identify gaps in record-keeping, hours tracking, and entitlement calculations.
- Custom Contracts & Policies — Tailored for casual academic and professional staff, including compliant handbooks and onboarding.
- Compliance Training & Support — Staff training on Fair Work obligations, plus 24/7 advice for urgent issues.
- Proactive Risk Assessments — Free consultations to review systems and prevent long-term breaches.
By partnering with certified HR specialists, institutions can proactively address vulnerabilities, avoid costly rectifications, and focus on education delivery.
The UTAS Enforceable Undertaking reinforces that self-audits and robust systems are essential. Early intervention through expert support can save millions and protect staff entitlements.
Reference: Fair Work Ombudsman Media Release – 12 December 2025
