Landmark class action launched against Torrens University over alleged underpayment of casual academics
Announcement posted by THe Media Specialist 17 Sep 2026
Embargo 5am Friday 18 September
More than 1,000 casual academics could be covered by the first major underpayment class action against a private Australian university
Class action law firm Hayden Stephens & Associates has launched Federal Court proceedings against Torrens University over allegations that casual academics were systematically underpaid for essential work including marking, student consultation, moderation, training and meetings.
The representative proceeding, supported by the National Tertiary Education Union, is expected to cover more than 1,000 casual academics who have worked across Torrens University campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Blue Mountains.
It is believed to be the first major underpayment class action brought against a private university in Australia, extending the university wage underpayment crisis beyond the public university sector. Torrens University Australia owned by Strategic Education, a listed US company.
The proceeding alleges Torrens University breached the Higher Education Industry Academic Staff Award 2020 by failing to properly pay casual academic staff for work they were required to perform, including marking, moderation, training, unit meetings and student consultation.
Lead applicant Tito Scohel, a lecturer who has taught at Torrens University's Sydney campus since June 2023, said the action was about ensuring casual academics were paid for the work they actually performed.
"Torrens has shown repeatedly that it cannot be left to police itself," Mr Scohel said.
"We are taking this action because casual academics should not be expected to perform essential university work for free. If the work is required, it should be paid."
Hayden Stephens, principal of Hayden Stephens & Associates, said alleged underpayment across Australia's university sector had become a serious and systemic problem.
"Underpayment in the university sector has reached endemic proportions. What makes the allegations against Torrens particularly significant is the extent to which casual academics say even basic and essential parts of their jobs were not properly paid," Mr Stephens said.
"Our clients are not asking for a pay rise or special treatment. They are asking to be paid for the work they were required to do."
Casual academic Sharon Hannaford worked at Torrens Blue Mountains campus from 2015 and says unpaid student marking was the norm.
"Casuals routinely undertake marking and other required duties without adequate compensation. Torrens must now consult meaningfully with affected staff to ensure fair remediation"." Ms Hannaford said.
Another lecturer, who asked not to be identified, said insecurity around casual employment could make academics reluctant to challenge alleged underpayments.
"There's a significant level of fear among casual colleagues about speaking up about the wage theft, as doing so may result in a loss of future work opportunities", they said.
The proceeding comes amid intense scrutiny of wage underpayments across Australia's higher education sector and raises broader questions about the reliance of universities on casual academic labour.
Casual academics who have worked for Torrens University and believe they may not have been properly paid for marking, student consultation or other required academic activities are encouraged to register their interest at haydenstephens.com.au.
Hayden Stephens & Associates has extensive experience conducting large scale underpayment class actions. Its representative proceedings on behalf of junior doctors across multiple Australian jurisdictions have resulted in settlements exceeding $435 million for more than 30,000 junior doctors, including a $229 million settlement with NSW Health, the largest wage underpayment settlement in Australian legal history.
Media contact
Louise Greene
0479 101 272
Louise@themediaspecialist.com.au
For Interview
Hayden Stephens 0409 431 891
About Hayden Stephens & Associates
Hayden Stephens & Associates is a plaintiff litigation firm specialising in representative proceedings addressing systemic underpayment in large workplaces.