Since long, the rules of minimum wages & superannuation contributions don't apply to research "students" who are the backbone of research & teaching at Australian universities.
Now, external-funded researchers on precarious short-term work contracts are being pushed to the same permanent underclass.
Nirodha Weeraratne
Research students: Government guarantee of minimum wage would be nice?
Edu Minister @jasonclaremp.bsky.social: Nah. Universities can pay that if they want.
Unis: We’re sacking researchers & defunding our research scholarship programs.
What a “system”!
Below-minimum wage = below-minimum research
Skyrocketing living costs and lack of government support are deterring potential PhD candidates. Experts say the obvious solution is to lift the stipend
