Australian university salary scales in 2026: academic Levels A to E (associate lecturer to professor) and HEW levels for professional staff, copied from each university's enterprise agreement and pay scales, with take-home pay on each university's page.
A Lecturer (Level B) starts on $119,463 to $124,638 and a Professor (Level E) earns $220,550 to $233,964 a year at the universities below, plus super.
Salary scales by university
| University | Rates from | Lecturer (Level B) | Professor (Level E) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monash University | 1 June 2026 | $123,138 to $146,228 | $233,964 |
| The University of Queensland | 11 July 2026 | $119,463 to $141,545 | $225,458 |
| The Australian National University | 18 June 2026 | $124,638 to $141,317 | $220,550 to $233,619 |
Academic salaries by level
| Level | Monash | UQ | ANU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level A Associate Lecturer / Postdoctoral Research Fellow | $86,195 to $116,981 | $85,373 to $113,660 | $91,546 to $114,906 |
| Level B Lecturer / Research Fellow | $123,138 to $146,228 | $119,463 to $141,545 | $124,638 to $141,317 |
| Level C Senior Lecturer / Senior Research Fellow | $150,841 to $173,931 | $145,962 to $168,044 | $149,657 to $166,338 |
| Level D Associate Professor / Reader | $181,629 to $200,092 | $175,404 to $193,071 | $178,844 to $189,967 |
| Level E Professor | $233,964 | $225,458 | $220,550 to $233,619 |
HEW levels (professional staff)
| HEW level | Monash | UQ |
|---|---|---|
| HEW 1 | $60,791 to $63,271 | $63,318 to $65,859 |
| HEW 2 | $65,625 to $68,250 | $67,467 to $69,048 |
| HEW 3 | $69,079 to $77,760 | $70,319 to $77,400 |
| HEW 4 | $79,430 to $84,963 | $79,096 to $83,863 |
| HEW 5 | $86,344 to $99,179 | $85,452 to $94,984 |
| HEW 6 | $100,155 to $108,106 | $97,269 to $104,349 |
| HEW 7 | $110,527 to $121,227 | $106,709 to $116,199 |
| HEW 8 | $124,343 to $137,251 | $120,317 to $134,893 |
| HEW 9 | $145,062 to $153,976 | $140,767 to $148,862 |
| HEW 10 | $155,424 | – |
ANU uses its own ANU Officer (ANUO) scale for professional staff; see the ANU page.
How it works
- Each university sets its own salaries in its enterprise agreement, so the same level pays differently across universities.
- Ranges run from the first to the last step of each level. Staff usually move up a step each year.
- Figures are full-time base salaries, before tax and without super.
Common questions
How much does a university lecturer earn in Australia?
A Lecturer (Level B) starts on $119,463 to $124,638 a year at the universities shown, depending on the university, rising over about six steps.
What is a professor's salary in Australia?
Level E (Professor) is $220,550 to $233,964 a year at these universities, before any loadings. Many professors are paid above the scale.
How much does a postdoc earn in Australia?
Postdocs are usually appointed at Level A, starting around $85,373 to $91,546. With a PhD there is often a minimum step higher up Level A.
What are HEW levels?
HEW (Higher Education Worker) levels 1 to 10 are the classification scale for university professional staff, from entry-level roles to senior managers. Each level has several pay steps.
Is super included in university salaries?
No. Universities pay employer super on top of these salaries, usually 17% for continuing and longer fixed-term staff.
Sources: Monash University Enterprise Agreement (Academic and Professional Staff) 2024 · The University of Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2021–2026 · ANU Enterprise Agreement 2023–2026. Checked 2026-10-23. General information only.