Exploring the Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Theology at UNDA

The Faculty of Education, Philosophy and Theology at The University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) stands as a cornerstone of the university's commitment to nurturing ethical leaders, innovative educators, and thoughtful scholars. Nestled within a Catholic intellectual tradition, this faculty brings together the National School of Education and the School of Philosophy and Theology across key campuses in Fremantle, Western Australia, and Sydney, New South Wales. For professionals eyeing academic careers, working here offers a blend of rigorous intellectual pursuit, practical impact, and community-oriented values. Faculty members engage in shaping future teachers, philosophers, and theologians who grapple with profound questions of faith, reason, ethics, and pedagogy.

Established as part of UNDA's distinctive liberal arts approach, the faculty emphasizes personalized education and real-world application. With over 12,000 students university-wide, the faculty contributes to high student satisfaction ratings, often ranking top in categories like overall experience and teaching quality. Academics here don't just lecture; they mentor, research, and collaborate in a setting that values both scholarly depth and pastoral care. Whether you're a seasoned educator or a philosopher transitioning to academia, the faculty provides pathways to meaningful contributions in Australia's higher education landscape.

Structure and Leadership Guiding Faculty Life

Leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering a supportive environment for staff. The Executive Dean oversees strategic direction, with recent appointments like David de Carvalho highlighting a focus on reform and excellence in education. The National Head of the School of Education, Professor Jessica Mantei, drives initiatives in teacher preparation, while Professor Angus Brook leads the School of Philosophy and Theology, promoting critical thinking rooted in the Catholic tradition. These leaders champion professional development, ensuring staff align with UNDA's Objects—service, truth-seeking, and community engagement.

Daily operations span campuses: Fremantle's vibrant, historic setting suits research-intensive roles, while Sydney's urban hub supports diverse programs like the Core Curriculum, where philosophy and theology intersect with other disciplines. Staff collaborate across schools, from designing inclusive curricula to supervising extensive professional placements in education programs—up to 150 days, the most in Australia. This structure encourages interdisciplinary work, such as integrating theological ethics into teacher training, creating a dynamic workspace for innovation.

Diverse Academic Roles Available

Career opportunities within the faculty range from sessional teaching to senior leadership. Common positions include Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Education, Philosophy, or Theology. For instance, roles in the School of Education often involve delivering accredited programs like the Bachelor of Education or Master of Teaching, with emphasis on practical placements in Catholic, government, and independent schools. Philosophy and Theology lecturers teach core courses on ethics, scripture, and metaphysics, preparing students for teaching, policy, or ministry.

Sessional academics handle tutorials and electives, ideal for building portfolios toward full-time roles. Research-focused positions, such as Higher Degree by Research supervisors, appeal to those pursuing Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Education projects. Administrative hybrids, like course coordinators, blend teaching with leadership. Recent expressions of interest (EOIs) for sessional staff in Philosophy and Theology underscore ongoing demand, particularly in Sydney for programs like the Bachelor of Philosophy/Bachelor of Theology double degree.

• Lecturer: Course delivery, student supervision, curriculum development.
• Senior Lecturer: Research leadership, program coordination.
• Associate Professor: Faculty-wide initiatives, grant applications.
• Professorial Research Fellows: Specialized contributions, e.g., Catholic education or science-religion dialogues.

Entry typically requires a PhD for research-teaching roles, with teaching qualifications for education positions. UNDA values lived experience in Catholic contexts, broadening appeal to diverse candidates.

Professional Development and Career Progression

UNDA invests heavily in staff growth through the Career Development Fund, professional development leave (up to 5 days annually), and LinkedIn Learning access to 15,000+ courses. Academics benefit from annual promotion processes based on merit, with pathways like Teaching Scholar or Research Scholar tailoring workloads—e.g., 1,725 hours yearly balanced across teaching, research, and service. Extended study leave after six years supports sabbaticals for scholarly work.

Study support includes 4 hours weekly paid leave for approved courses at UNDA, plus fee reimbursements for up to two per year. Family study discounts (25% tuition for dependents) aid work-life integration. Progression from sessional to continuing employment occurs via performance reviews, with the Enterprise Agreement aiming to convert up to 30 sessional roles annually. Staff like those in Sydney's Philosophy team advance through adjunct to full professorial ranks, contributing to centers like the Notre Dame Centre for the History of Philosophy.

Compensation and Financial Perks

Competitive remuneration reflects enterprise agreements tailored to WA and NSW. Full-time Lecturers (Level B equivalent) earn approximately $100,000-$116,000 in Fremantle, rising to $112,000-$137,000 in Sydney per Glassdoor insights and agreement scales. Senior Lecturers range $122,000-$150,000, Associate Professors $147,000+, and Professors up to $220,000+ by mid-2026, with annual increases (3-3.5% recently).

Superannuation starts at 13.5%, climbing to 15% by July 2026—above guarantee rates. Salary packaging, remote allowances (Broome: $1,000/year + extra leave), and higher duties pay enhance packages. Sessional rates are hourly (e.g., $66-$70 for lecturing), pro-rated for casuals. These figures position UNDA favorably among mid-tier Australian universities, supporting long-term financial security.

Work-Life Balance and Wellbeing Support

Generous leave defines the faculty's staff-centric culture: 26 weeks paid parental for primary carers, 4 weeks annual with 17.5% loading, 10 days personal/carer's, and long service after 7 years. The Employee Assistance Program offers free counseling, complemented by flu vaccines, discounted health insurance (Bupa 6%), and campus gyms—Fremantle on-site, Sydney via partnerships like Fernwood.

Social morning teas, daily Masses, and clubs build belonging. Flexible work for parents or disabilities, plus cultural leave for Indigenous staff, promote inclusivity. Workload models ensure balance, with academics reporting positive environments despite challenges like high marking loads for sessionals. Overall, these supports enable sustained careers in demanding fields like teacher education.

Staff Experiences and Culture

Employee feedback paints a nuanced picture. Glassdoor rates UNDA 2.9/5, praising students, teaching quality, and collaborative teams but noting management inconsistencies and IT glitches. Indeed reviews highlight productive, faith-infused atmospheres: "Great University = Excellent Teaching," with friendly colleagues in Fremantle and Sydney. Education staff appreciate placement integrations, while Philosophy lecturers value intellectual freedom.

Challenges include sessional unpaid marking and turnover from office politics, yet positives dominate—homely community, junior scholar opportunities, and Christian foundations. Sydney's diverse adjunct network fosters mentorship, with staff like Dr. Kevin Wagner balancing teaching and dean duties seamlessly.

Research Opportunities and Impact

Research thrives via Higher Degrees, with supervisors guiding projects in inclusive education, theological ethics, and philosophy of religion. Staff secure grants for Catholic education studies or international placements. Achievements include professorial fellows like Prof. Tracey Rowland (St John Paul II Chair) advancing theology-sociology dialogues. The faculty's Core Curriculum spurs cross-disciplinary outputs, positioning academics for publications and policy influence.

Challenges and Solutions in Faculty Roles

• High Workloads: Mitigated by clear allocations and PD support.
• Sessional Precarity: Conversion pathways and EOI expansions.
• Campus Differences: National coordination ensures equity.

Solutions emphasize transparency via the Staff Enterprise Agreement, fostering resilience.

Photo by İsmail Efe Top on Unsplash

Future Outlook for Faculty Careers

UNDA's 2026 Strategy promises expansion, with growing demand for educators amid teacher shortages. Philosophy and Theology programs eye vocational alignments, boosting jobs. Staff can anticipate enhanced research funding, international ties, and tech integrations. For aspiring academics, this faculty offers stability, purpose, and growth in Australia's vibrant higher ed sector.