- Salary and benefits
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Research excellence
- On-going career and professional development
UOW supports staff to achieve a healthy work/life balance through a range of initiatives including flexible work arrangements, 4 weeks annual leave a year, personal leave days (which includes personal sick leave and carers leave) plus additional leave over the Christmas/New Year break.
We offer competitive salaries, above mandated Commonwealth awards, as well as access to generous superannuation, structured career progression and flexible working arrangements.
Salary packaging options are also available and include motor vehicle leasing, gym memberships and on-campus childcare. UOW also has a structured approach to rewards and incentives.
For more information on what it is like to work at UOW you can read about our employment conditions.
At UOW, equity, diversity and inclusion shape how we work, lead and support our people. We are building a workplace where everyone has fair access to opportunities, differences are valued, and barriers are actively removed, so all staff can feel connected and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
We foster a culture of respect where people feel safe to contribute perspectives shaped by lived experience. We recognise that everyone’s experience at work is different, and this informs the entire employee journey, from recruitment and onboarding through to development and career progression.
Working at UOW
What you have lived, learned, and experienced matters here. That is not a platitude; it is how we work. We've built an environment where equity is embedded in how we hire, develop and support our people. That means removing barriers, not just talking about them.
Leave and entitlements that support real lives
Our leave entitlements go well beyond the standard. Our approach to leave reflects the realities and diversity of people’s lives.
At UOW, you’ll be supported with a broad range of leave and employment benefits that prioritise your wellbeing, safety and work–life balance.
Parental leave
- Available regardless of gender, and inclusive of diverse family structures
- Primary carer leave: 14 weeks at ordinary pay or 28 weeks at half pay (eligible employees)
- Return to work grant: may be taken as salary supplement on return to work, or as paid leave for up to 12 weeks at ordinary pay or 24 weeks at half pay for eligible employees
- Adoption leave, foster parent leave and surrogacy leave
Sector-leading, generous leave entitlements
- Birthday leave
- Carer’s leave
- Cultural and ceremonial leave
- Family and domestic violence leave
- Gender Affirmation Leave
- Menstrual and Menopause Leave
Flexible Work and Inclusive Support
At UOW, we support flexible work arrangements, inclusive leave and workplace adjustments to help staff balance work and life commitments. All flexible work requests are considered fairly and transparently, taking into account individual circumstances, role requirements, and operational needs. Through inclusive leadership and a culture of shared accountability, we aim to create an environment where everyone can fully participate and do their best work.
Our approach recognises a wide range of needs and circumstances, including:
- Community leadership, cultural responsibilities and connection to Country
- Caring responsibilities and career continuity
- Disability, health and access requirements (including reasonable adjustments)
- Cultural, religious and family commitments
Inclusion for all
A place where you belong
Whether you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ+, living with disability, a parent or carer, or bring a cultural background that shapes how you see the world, you will find people who understand, networks that connect you, and leaders accountable for making inclusion real.
We are recognised as an AWEI (Australian Workplace Equality Index) Bronze organisation, a member of Pride in Diversity, and a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace . We are strengthening gender equity, including progress towards closing our gender pay gap, and partner with organisations including the Australian Breastfeeding Association, and Diversity Australia.
At UOW, you can belong, contribute and thrive, no matter your background, identity or life stage.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
We strive to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by fostering a culturally safe, inclusive workplace that values Indigenous knowledges, perspectives and contributions. Through strong leadership commitment and shared responsibility, we support the recruitment, development and retention of Indigenous staff across academic, research, professional and senior roles.
By embedding Indigenous voices in our decision-making and everyday practices, we aim to grow Indigenous representation across our workforce and support meaningful, long-term career pathways, ensuring Indigenous leadership and excellence are reflected in all that we do.
Support for parents and carers
We support you to balance work and life with family-friendly policies, flexible work, generous parental and carer’s leave, on-site childcare, Kids Uni, and school holiday care options. As a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace (accredited in 2024), we provide welcoming spaces across campus for feeding and expressing, with private rooms available when you need them.
LGBTIQ+ inclusion
At UOW, you’ll be part of a workplace where LGBTIQ+ staff feel safe, respected and supported to thrive. We understand that some applicants may face unique barriers to recruitment, and we offer personalised, confidential support if you need it. Our LGBTIQ+ commitment is backed by organisation-wide inclusion training, Pride in Diversity membership, and AWEI Bronze recognition.
Gender equity
We’re committed to creating equitable opportunities for women and people of diverse gender identities, across all disciplines and career stages. We recognise that diverse perspectives strengthen teaching and research, and we actively strive for equitable representation in STEMM and leadership. We are making measurable progress in reducing our gender pay gap and our Women of UOW (WoW) network provides a space for women and non-binary staff to connect, share experiences and build community.
Disability inclusion
We value the perspectives and contributions of people with disability. You’ll be supported with workplace adjustments at every stage —from recruitment to career development—so you can participate fully. Our Disability Inclusion Network connects staff and builds awareness, visibility and pride across our community.
Cultural diversity
We celebrate cultural diversity and the unique perspectives it brings. At UOW, you'll join a culturally rich community where different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking strengthen our culture, create a more inclusive and innovative workplace, and enhance our global outlook and footprint.
Support when you need it
We’re here to support you at every stage. Our Talent Acquisition team can provide confidential guidance or discuss any adjustments during the recruitment process. You can also connect with our EDI & Belonging team — we welcome conversations about how we can best support you.
Join an internationally respected research institution and work in world class facilities providing real world solutions to real world problems.
UOW's research facilities include:
UOW believes in supporting staff to develop their skills and career. We offer a comprehensive range of professional development activities for both academic and professional services staff. These activities include workshops, networks, coaching, mentoring, online resources, grants and awards.
Workshops – a wide range of both face-to-face and online training are offered to support staff in developing their skills in areas such as leadership, research development, teaching and curriculum development, communication skills, workplace health and safety, cultural awareness and career progression.
Networks – a number of networks to support staff in their roles and develop relationships between different areas of the ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆµapp community. These include AdminNet (for administrative staff), Early Career Academic Network, TechNet (for technical staff), Heads of School Forum, Linking Women Network and UOW Pride Network (for the support of an inclusive and diverse work environment).
Coaching – UOW provides all staff with access to coaching through a number of internal staff members all of whom are accredited in coaching. Coaching can assist staff in specific skills development, transitioning to a new role or improving self-awareness.
Mentoring - Many of the programs incorporate mentoring from more senior staff, for example the Mentoring Program for New Managers and the Mid-Career Academic Development Program.
Leadership Capability Framework - this Framework outlines eleven key leadership capabilities required for effective leadership within the UOW context. The Framework has been designed for use by both existing and potential leaders as well as providing guidance for all staff in the important aspects of self-leadership. The online Leadership Capability Framework Development Guide provides staff with the tools to develop their leadership capabilities.
Online programs – UOW staff have access to over 4000 online courses in business, technology and creative skills through Lynda.com.
Grants – internal grant schemes to support the development of both their research and learning and teaching are available for UOW staff.
Vice-Chancellor's Awards – the annual Vice-Chancellor's Awards recognise the achievements of our staff in a range of areas including outstanding service, community engagement, learning and teaching, research and workplace health and safety. More information about the Vice-Chancellor's Awards.