News release

From: Adelaide University

A landmark report from Adelaide University is providing the most comprehensive picture to date of psychosocial safety across Australia’s higher education sector.

The Australian Research Council (ARC)-funded study identifies widespread wellbeing and psychosocial safety issues across higher education.

It points to increasing levels of high and very high psychosocial risk driven by weaknesses in safety systems including poor management support, insufficient prioritisation of staff wellbeing, limited communication and consultation, and gaps in how psychosocial risks are identified and managed.

Released today, the Australian Universities Census on Staff Wellbeing* ranks 36 of Australia’s 42 universities against national psychosocial safety climate benchmarks, with the top three performers being Charles Darwin University, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Queensland.

Across the sector, the report found:

• More than 80% of staff reported high or very high levels of emotional exhaustion
• All universities recorded high or very high psychosocial safety risks.
• More than three-quarters of staff reported elevated psychosocial safety risk levels.
• Risk levels were consistently high across gender, role, and employment level.
• Psychosocial safety climate risks in universities are more than double those in the general workforce.
• 73% disagreed that risks to their psychological health were actively monitored.

Lead researcher ARC Laureate Professor Maureen Dollard says while the results are very concerning, they also present opportunities for the higher education sector to address working conditions and staff wellbeing. She says the research offers universities a clear roadmap for action.

“Over recent decades, Australian universities have undergone profound transformation, with deregulation, intensified competition, and a productivity driven agenda reshaping the sector,” Laureate Prof Dollard says.

“Universities have also been challenged by increasing workloads, job insecurity and losses, restructures, technological overload, cuts to funding, as well as public scrutiny of governance and executive remuneration.

“Despite multiple government reviews – including the Australian Universities Accord and a Senate Inquiry – staff wellbeing has received little direct attention.

“Staff are the backbone of teaching, research, and student support. Yet their psychological health has been neglected for far too long. Without urgent action, the sector’s ability to deliver high-quality education, world-class research, and positive student experiences will be compromised.

“This study shows that psychosocial safety is not an isolated issue – it’s a sector-wide challenge and requires a sector wide approach. It also requires a shift in the mindset of university management – from a productivity agenda – to prioritise worker psychological health and wellbeing as a key performance indicator.

“By presenting Australia’s universities with a robust set of national goals and benchmarks, institutions now have a solid starting point from which to address and improve psychosocial safety.”

The Australian Universities Census on Staff Wellbeing represents the view of more than 11,500 university staff across 42 Australian universities.

Findings from the report will be discussed at an online national seminar today, featuring Adelaide University Prof Dollard, Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman, Safe Work Australia CEO Marie Boland and NTEU National Assistant Secretary Gabe Gooding.

Under Australian Work Health and Safety laws, universities are obligated to prevent and manage psychosocial risks.

Adelaide University Vice-Chancellor Professor Nicola Phillips says findings reinforce the importance of putting staff wellbeing at the heart of the new institution.

“As a new university, Adelaide University has a unique opportunity to learn from this national evidence and embed strong psychosocial safety practices from the outset,” Prof Phillips says.

“We recognise the pressures facing the higher education sector and are committed to building a workplace that supports our people.

“We are prioritising engagement, listening to feedback, and keeping open channels so all staff feel supported and valued as we work together to shape a healthy culture for our new university.”

Prof Dollard says ongoing transparency and collaboration is critical.

“By prioritising psychosocial safety, universities can rebuild trust, strengthen performance, and create workplaces that support the wellbeing of the people who make higher education possible.”

Notes to editors:

• *The Psychosocial Climate Global Observatory team based at Adelaide University is responsible for the report. The team includes ARC Laureate Professor Maureen Dollard, Professor Kurt Lushington, Dr Amy Zadow, and Daniel Neser.
• The full report is available here: https://stresscafe.net/census/