CURTIN INDUSTRIAL ACTION
The Curtin Student Guild stands in solidarity with the National Tertiary Education Union NTEU) Cutin Branch and its members as they undertake protected industrial action from 16 February.
This page explains what is happening, what it means for you, and where to go for support.
WHAT IS HAPPENING??
From 16 February, and for at least two weeks, some NTEU members will participate in lawful industrial action each day.
The current action includes a ban on attending the physical campus. Importantly, this is not a ban on teaching. Academic staff have sought to continue delivering lectures, tutorials and student support online in order to minimise disruption to students.
However, Curtin management has refused to accept online delivery from staff participating in this action. As a result, some classes may now be cancelled.
This decision by management is likely to impact classes across all Schools and Faculties. It is deeply disappointing that Curtin would rather see classes cancelled than allow staff to exercise their lawful workplace rights while continuing to teach online.
Staff have been clear: they want to minimise disruption. Curtin’s negotiation tactics are instead creating a disrupted start to the year for students.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING??
Staff say that after more than six months of negotiations, Curtin management has not made meaningful progress on key issues.
Some of the main claims being pursued by staff include:
- Major improvements to academic workloads
- A clear and reasonable right for professional staff to work from home
- A fair pay offer in the context of rising cost-of-living pressures
Staff argue that excessive workloads reduce the time available to prepare lectures, mark assessments thoroughly, and provide quality feedback. They also say that insecure employment and declining real wages are making it harder for Curtin to retain experienced educators and professional staff.
These are not abstract workplace issues. Staff working conditions are student learning conditions.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DISRUPTION?
Staff did not take industrial action during semester last year and have sought to resolve this dispute through bargaining.
Academic staff have attempted to continue teaching online while participating in a campus attendance ban. Curtin management has refused to allow this arrangement.
The result is that some classes may now be cancelled.
The Guild’s position is clear: the responsibility for ensuring students are not disadvantaged rests squarely with Curtin University management.
Students should not bear the consequences of management’s failure to reach a reasonable agreement with its staff. If classes are cancelled, learning disrupted, or academic progress impacted, it is Curtin’s responsibility to ensure that students are not academically, financially or otherwise disadvantaged in any way.
Ultimately, only Curtin University management can bring this matter to a close by engaging in genuine negotiations and presenting a fair and reasonable offer.
The fastest way to restore normal campus operations and prevent further cancellations is for Curtin to reach a fair agreement with its staff.
HOW CAN STUDENTS RESPOND?
First and foremost:
- Go to your classes if they are running, whether online or in-person.
- Check your emails regularly.
- Be patient and informed.
We also ask students to be kind and respectful to university staff. Many staff are working hard to minimise disruption to students while exercising their lawful workplace rights. This is a challenging time for staff and students alike.
If you feel strongly about the issue, you are entitled to contact the Vice-Chancellor or the University to share your views:
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY CLASSES?
Students may be impacted differently depending on their course and School.
You may see:
- Some classes moved online
- Some classes cancelled
- On-campus activities adjusted
- Different impacts on different days
In most cases, your School or enrolling area will contact you directly if there are changes.
We strongly recommend that you:
- Continue to attend your classes if they are running, whether in-person or online
- Check Blackboard and other unit communication channels
- Monitor your Curtin student email closely
Even where arrangements change, you should stay engaged so you do not miss important information.
If you have questions about how your unit may be affected, you can contact:
EBA-Administration@curtin.edu.au
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY CLASS IS AFFECTED?
You should:
- Keep a close eye on your Curtin student email
- Check Blackboard and other unit communication channels
- Monitor messages from your School or unit coordinator
Communication is likely to come directly from your teaching area. Make sure you are checking regularly so you do not miss updates.
WHERE CAN I GET SUPPORT?
The Guild is here to support you.
For general questions:
📧 hello@guild.curtin.edu.au
📞 1800 063 865 (free call)
For advocacy, advice or support with how this may affect you:
📧 student.assist@guild.curtin.edu.au
📞 1800 063 865 (free call)
University Support Services:
Safer Community Team (24/7)
📞(08) 9266 4444
📧 safercommunityteam@curtin.edu.au
Student Wellbeing Advisory Service
📞 1800 244 043 (free call)
📧 studentwellbeing@curtin.edu.au
Curtin Psychological and Counselling Service
📞 08 9266 7850
📧 counselling@curtin.edu.au
We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.
Your education matters. So do the people who deliver it.
WHAT IS THE GUILD DOING?
The fastest and only genuine way to restore normal campus operations is for Curtin management to present a fair and reasonable offer to its staff.
NTEU members have made clear that they want to minimise disruption and reach an agreement. They have sought to continue teaching online while exercising their lawful rights. Curtin management has chosen not to accept this and has instead allowed cancellations to occur.
The Guild is unequivocal: this dispute can end as soon as Curtin management comes back to the bargaining table in good faith and reaches an agreement that delivers fair workloads, secure employment and reasonable pay. Improved staff conditions are improved student learning conditions.
We stand with the NTEU in their efforts to secure a fair deal and will continue working closely with them. At the same time, we are engaging directly with the University to make clear that students must not be disadvantaged as a result of management’s refusal to reach agreement.
Students did not create this dispute. They should not carry the consequences of Curtin management’s failure to negotiate reasonably.
The Guild will continue to hold the University accountable and push for a fair resolution that protects staff, protects students, and restores stability to the academic year as quickly as possible.
Guild Statement