The Growing Momentum for Shorter Work Weeks in Australian Higher Education

In the evolving landscape of work in Australia's universities, a significant development has emerged at the University of Melbourne. Professional staff, who handle essential administrative, support, and operational roles, have formally demanded a transition to a four-day work week without any reduction in pay. This proposal forms part of a comprehensive log of claims submitted by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), the primary union representing university employees across Australia. The demands come as negotiations kick off for a new enterprise agreement—a collective bargaining contract that governs pay, conditions, and workloads—which is set to replace the current one expiring in early April 2026.

The University of Melbourne, one of Australia's leading research institutions with over 13,000 academic and professional staff supporting more than 50,000 students, reported revenues exceeding $3.7 billion in 2024. Professional staff make up roughly half of the full-time equivalent workforce, numbering around 5,500 individuals who manage everything from student services and IT support to human resources and finance. These roles often involve high-pressure tasks with tight deadlines, contributing to widespread reports of burnout and overwork in the sector.

This push reflects a broader national conversation about work-life balance, productivity, and the future of employment amid technological changes like artificial intelligence (AI). Unions argue that shorter hours could address stagnating productivity—Australia's growth in this area halted in 2023 and 2024—while improving staff wellbeing and retention.

Breaking Down the Key Demands in the NTEU Log of Claims

The NTEU's proposals, developed over nine months through member consultations, target both professional and academic staff but with tailored approaches. For professional staff, the headline demand is a four-day work week structured as four 7.6-hour days, totaling 30.4 hours—about 20% fewer hours than the standard 38-hour week—while retaining full-time salary. This equates to effectively 20% more pay for the reduced time, incentivizing efficiency without financial penalty.

Academics, meanwhile, seek greater control over workloads through new committees in each work area. These would feature a majority of non-managerial staff to review compliance, set evidence-based models, and approve major changes via staff ballot. All staff are pushing for a 20% pay increase over three years to counter cost-of-living pressures and what they describe as years of real wage erosion.

Additional claims include enhanced leave provisions, such as two extra paid days during the end-of-year shutdown, up to 10 days of annual trade union leave for NTEU members, paid sick leave for casuals, dedicated reproductive health leave, and expanded gender affirmation leave beyond the current 30 days. Job security measures and broad protections against AI's adverse effects—emphasizing ethical, transparent use with human oversight—are also central, recognizing professional staff's vulnerability to automation in admin roles.

• Four-day week for professional staff: 30.4 hours at full pay.
• 20% pay rise for everyone over three years.
• Workload committees for academics.
• AI safeguards and improved leave entitlements.
• Enhanced job security amid sector pressures.

NTEU Branch President David Gonzalez emphasized that these changes would make the university "work better for staff, students, and the community," highlighting consultations where professional staff prioritized shorter hours and academics focused on workload autonomy.

📊 Evidence from Global and Local Trials Supporting the Shift

Proponents point to robust evidence from four-day week experiments. The nonprofit 4 Day Week Global has coordinated hundreds of trials worldwide under a '100-80-100' model: 100% pay for 80% time with 100% productivity. Results are compelling—for instance, in the UK's largest trial, 39% of staff felt less stressed, 65% saw reduced sick leave absenteeism, and 92% of companies continued the model.Explore the full research here.

Australasian pilots in 2023 echoed this: 54% of participants reported higher productivity, 96% wanted to continue, and firms noted better retention. Australian companies like Unilever, Medibank, and Oxfam have extended trials, trimming emails and meetings to focus on high-value tasks. A peer-reviewed study published in 2025 found reduced burnout, improved mental and physical health, and sustained output.

Professor Alysia Blackham from Melbourne Law School argues this could revitalize Australia's economy by fostering efficiency—workers become more strategic, prioritizing impactful work. In higher education, where workloads blend teaching, research, and admin, shorter weeks could curb fatigue, especially as productivity metrics stagnate.Read the full analysis.

While no Australian university has fully trialed it yet, precedents like Adelaide University's AI protections in its heads of agreement show openness to innovation. Unions like the Australian Services Union are advocating nationally for standardized four-day options.

Photo by John Torcasio on Unsplash

University of Melbourne's Stance and Path Forward in Negotiations

The university has welcomed the claims, describing early talks as "productive" and committing to "sustainable salary adjustments" and stability. A spokesperson aims for an in-principle agreement by year's end, with staff voting on the package. No outright rejection of the four-day week has surfaced, though financial realities—recent $72 million underpayment repayments and sector funding squeezes—may temper ambitions.

Gonzalez noted management's promise of a substantive response, urging evidence-led decisions aligned with the university's research ethos. Negotiations often extend beyond expiry in Australian unis, allowing time for compromise. Potential sticking points include the 20% pay ask versus inflation (around 3-4% annually) and verifying productivity in a student-facing environment.

📈 Broader Trends and Implications for Australia's University Sector

This demand mirrors national momentum. The Australian Council of Trade Unions and Greens support four-day policies, while a Senate committee recommended diverse sector trials. In education, Victoria's teachers union proposes similar models to combat shortages. Higher ed faces unique challenges: casualization (many professional roles), AI disrupting admin, and post-pandemic workload spikes.

Benefits could ripple—better retention amid job cuts elsewhere, like recent UK uni redundancies; happier staff yielding superior student support; productivity gains funding research. For job seekers, platforms like university jobs listings highlight competitive roles, but improved conditions could attract top talent.

See related discussions on AI in Australian academia and vocational shifts.

Navigating Challenges: Realistic Paths to Implementation

Critics worry about work intensification or service disruptions—students need year-round access. Solutions from trials include cross-training, async communication, and outcome-based metrics over hours logged. In higher ed, hybrid models (compressed weeks) or rotating Fridays off could maintain coverage.

For staff considering similar pushes, engage unions early, gather local data on workloads, and pilot small-scale. Employers benefit from lower turnover costs—estimated at 1.5-2x salary per departure. Actionable steps:

• Track personal productivity pre/post changes.
• Advocate via NTEU for workload audits.
• Explore flexible remote higher ed jobs as interim.
• Review enterprise agreements on higher ed career advice sites.

Balanced adoption, with evaluation, positions universities as progressive employers.

Photo by Abir Hiranandani on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Staff, Students, and the Sector

If successful, this could pioneer reforms, enhancing Melbourne's appeal amid global talent wars. Students gain from rested, focused staff; the economy from productive grads. Challenges persist—funding, equity for casuals—but evidence suggests net positives.

Share your views in the comments below. Searching for opportunities? Visit Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, university jobs, or post your opening at recruitment. For career tips, check excelling as a research assistant in Australia.