University of Adelaide under investigation over $1.25 million underpayments to 830 staff

The University of Adelaide is under investigation after admitting to underpaying more than 830 former casual academic staff $1.25 million over eight years.

The institution confirmed it uncovered underpayments to staff between March 2017 to May 2025 after ramping up its auditing and payment monitoring due to the prevalence of underpayments within the industry.

The audit found that hundreds of current and former casual academic staff with a PhD or in a course coordinator role were not paid the higher rates they were entitled to.

This led to 838 staff being underpaid about $1.25 million. 

"While this represents less than 0.05 per cent of salary payments over that period, it is still unfortunate and very regrettable," a University of Adelaide spokesperson said.

"The university deeply