UQ salary: How University of Queensland pay compares to the national line

Understanding UQ salary in the national context

When you see “UQ salary” in a job advertisement, it refers to the pay rates set by the University of Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2021–2026. This agreement covers academic and professional staff and overrides any modern award that would otherwise apply. The salary index helps you compare any UQ salary to the national line: a full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $108,352 per year (index 100).

UQ uses a classification system called HEW (Higher Education Worker) for professional staff, with salary points within each level. The current rates, effective from 11 July 2026, are published on the university’s website. For example, a HEW 3.1 role pays $70,318.51 annually, while a HEW 8.1 pays $120,317.28.

How UQ salary compares to the salary index

The salary index is your yearly gross salary divided by the national line ($108,352) times 100. Here’s how some UQ professional salaries stack up:

• HEW 3.1: $70,318 → index 64.9 (below the national average)
• HEW 5.1: $79,518 → index 73.4
• HEW 6.1: $97,269 → index 89.8
• HEW 8.1: $120,317 → index 111.0 (above the national average)
• HEW 10.1: $140,767 → index 129.9

These figures are base salaries only. UQ also pays a 17% superannuation contribution for continuing and fixed-term employees, which is significantly higher than the 12% super guarantee that applies from 1 July 2026. Including super, the total compensation for a HEW 6.1 would be about $113,805 (index 105.0).

Casual staff receive a 25% loading on top of the hourly rate. For instance, a casual HEW 3.1 earns $46.47 per hour from July 2026, compared to the national minimum wage of $26.44 per hour (index 48.2).

Reading a UQ job ad

When comparing offers, look for the HEW level and salary point. The ad might say “HEW 6, salary point 1” or “HEW 6.1”. That tells you the exact base rate. Some roles may be offered at a higher point within the level. The enterprise agreement also allows for salary packaging up to 50% of gross base salary, which can reduce your taxable income.

UQ’s salaries are generally competitive within the education and training industry, which has an industry index of 105.5. However, individual roles vary. A HEW 3 role is below the national line, while a HEW 8 role is above. If you’re comparing a UQ offer to one from another university or a private employer, use the salary index to see where each sits relative to the national benchmark.

Enterprise agreement vs awards

Because UQ has its own enterprise agreement, the award pay guides from the Fair Work Ombudsman do not apply to UQ employees covered by the agreement. The agreement includes a clause that if any base rate falls below the corresponding modern award, the employee receives at least the award rate. In practice, UQ rates are higher.

The agreement also outlines salary increases: 2% from 31 January 2025, 2% from 31 July 2025, and 2% from 31 January 2026. The nominal expiry date is 13 February 2026, so negotiations for a replacement are underway. Future rates may change.

Tax and take-home pay

To estimate take-home pay from a UQ salary, use the 2026–27 resident tax rates. For a HEW 6.1 on $97,269:

• Tax on first $18,200: $0
• Tax on $18,201–$45,000: 15% of $26,800 = $4,020
• Tax on $45,001–$97,269: 30% of $52,269 = $15,680.70
• Total tax: $19,700.70
• Medicare levy (2%): $1,945.38
• Total deductions: $21,646.08
• Estimated take-home: $75,622.92 per year, or about $6,302 per month.

This ignores HELP repayments, salary sacrifice, and the Medicare levy surcharge. Using salary packaging could lower your taxable income further.

Where UQ salary fits in the broader picture

Compared to other states, Queensland has an index of 97.9 (annualised $106,064), slightly below the national line. UQ’s professional salaries span from below to above that state average. The mining industry index is 154.7, while retail trade is 75.9. For a job seeker, UQ offers stable employment with above-average super and clear salary progression.

For more context, see how the index works and explore industries or states to compare. The Salary Index homepage provides the latest benchmarks.