The University of Wollongong will backpay $6.6 million to thousands of staff it underpaid over 10 years after discovering issues with governance and its payroll system.

The institution became aware of the underpayments when staff reached out with questions, prompting it to report itself to the Fair Work Ombudsman in 2023. 

An investigation found more than 5340 staff were affected, with the majority being casual employees in non-teaching roles and at the main campus in Wollongong.

However, some were also full-time and part-time employees in academic and support staff roles.

The university was found to have failed to pay casual staff for a minimum period of at least three hours per shift and underpaid the penalty rates they were entitled.

It also underpaid employees' weekend penalty ra

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