NTEU Member Meeting Update

We've just concluded an excellent NTEU Member Meeting at UC, in which members voted on two important motions in relation to our campaigns at the University of Canberra.

If you weren't able to get to the meeting, but want to follow up on bargaining progress, let us know at uc@nteu.org.au and one of our team will follow up.

We'll also have a detailed summary of all bargaining issues in early March, following our next bargaining meeting with the UC Management Team next week.

Cost-of-Living motion

NTEU University of Canberra Branch notes:

• UC staff received a pay rise of 2.4% in January 2026;

• CPI for the 12 months to December was 3.8% - which is 1.4% higher than the most recent UC annual pay rise;

• The Reserve Bank of Australia raised interest rates in February 2026, and many analysts predict a further rise in May 2026;

• In the last 5 years, CPI has grown by 23.5% (cum.), whereas UC pay has risen by only 15.5% (cum.);

• Unlike other universities, UC does not have a separate leave loading payment for staff – usually an additional 17.5% for four weeks per year;

• UC staff agreed to wage restraint in the context of COVID, where UC was the only public university not to pursue mass redundancies. Since then, however, UC has made approximately 200 roles redundant in the last 18 months;

• UC’s budget situation has improved dramatically, with an underlying surplus forecast for 2026;

• UC domestic student enrolments have been reported as increasing by 11% on last year;

• UC is pursuing other expenditure, such as building refurbishments and the appointment of new ‘Chiefs’ in the C-suite; and

• UC staff are in a cost-of-living crisis, which has a significant impact on staff wellbeing.

NTEU University of Canberra Branch moves:

That the NTEU UC Branch will campaign for an immediate 1.4% cost-of-living pay rise, representing the gap between the most recent annual pay rise and CPI.

NTEU UC Branch believes that such an increase is reasonable and responsible in the UC context.

NTEU UC Branch will continue to campaign for a significant salary increase over the life of a new Agreement, which will include this proposed cost-of-living pay rise.

NTEU UC Branch believes that UC staff should be valued, supported, and respected.

UC Bargaining Motion

NTEU University of Canberra Branch notes:

• The report of the NTEU UC Bargaining Team on 18 February 2026.

NTEU University of Canberra Branch moves:

• That the NTEU UC Branch congratulates the NTEU UC Bargaining Team on their efforts and progress in negotiations to date.

• That the NTEU UC Branch resolves to meet on 26 March 2026 to consider escalation of the bargaining campaign unless there is significant improvement in negotiations.

• That the NTEU UC Branch instructs the NTEU UC Bargaining Team to request a salary offer from the UC Management Bargaining Team at or prior to the next bargaining meeting.

Well done to members on your engagement with these issues. We'll next meeting on Thursday 26 March to evaluate progress at the bargaining table.

In solidarity,

NTEU UC Bargaining Team

Lachlan, Craig, Bethany, Katie, Denise and Luke

Members passed two motions on cost-of-living and UC bargaining