Academic ranks (Australia and New Zealand)

This article is about academic ranks in higher education in Australia and New Zealand. Both systems have derived from a common heritage in the British university system.

Overview in Australia

The system of academic titles and ranks in Australia is classified to a common five levels, A-E, although the titles of these levels may differ between insititutions. These are:

These levels correspond to salary levels set by the Australian government's Higher education Academic Salaries Award (2002). There has been a significant increase in academics at level D and E (Associate professor and professor) in recent years. The number of academics at these levels increased by 70% from 1996 to 2008.

In order to receive the title of professor, the applicant must pass each university's minimum standards statements and promotion policies, which are derived from the Higher education Academic Salaries award. Three key attributes are examined: recognition, distinction and leadership. Leadership in research is arguably the most important. Some universities also expect leadership in developing the curriculum and in the teaching and management of staff and students.

The difference between professor and associate professor is that there is less of an imperative to demonstrate leadership qualities for the title of associate professor. Still, in order to receive the title, it is required that the applicant has made an 'outstanding contribution' and that the applicant is usually recognised at a national or international level.

In some universities, the title of professor and associate professor can also be conferred with appointment to a senior management position without the need for an extensive academic record or a research higher degree.

Adjunct and conjoint professor is an honorary title bestowed upon a person to formally recognise that person's non-employment 'special relationship' with the university.

Emeritus professor is a title bestowed upon a retired person who has rendered distinguished service to the university. They have nearly always held the title of professor at the university. Half the universities in one study specified that the person needed to have served at least 10 years at the university. Some universities have other titles such as Emeritus Educator and Emeritus Scholar. Once the Emeritus Professor title is bestowed, the title is normally for life, though it can be repealed for failing to abide by university regulations.[1] [2]

Teaching and research positions

Academic positions in Australia and New Zealand can be either continuing (permanent) or fixed-term (contract) appointments. Continuing appointments at the lecturer level and above are similar to the permanent academic posts found in the United Kingdom, and generally involve a 3-5 year probationary period. The University of Canberra (UC) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) have deviated from the common academic rank titles found in the enterprise bargaining agreements of most Australian universities.

Level Common title UC title[3] UWA title[4] Award salary range (AU) Notes
E Professor Professor Winthrop Professor $168,084 and above Equivalent to chair professor in most Asian and North American universities and to a professor of a discipline in British universities. In Australia and NZ, the number of academics at Level E is approximately 10 percent of the total number of academic staff in any given university. This rank is only given to those who have demonstrated outstanding competence and academic leadership in research, teaching, and service as well as achieving international recognition of their scholarship.
D Associate Professor Associate Professor Professor $101,491 - $148,406 Equivalent to professor in most Asian countries and in North American universities.[5] Equivalent to reader in Britain. Academics appointed to Level D are developing a very strong international profile and have demonstrated sustained high competence in both teaching and research.
C Senior Lecturer Assistant Professor Associate Professor $89,966 - $108,610 Equivalent to associate professor in North American universities (though without any particular implications in terms of tenure). Normally, academic staff demonstrating sustained competence in research and teaching are promoted to this rank after 4 to 6 years of service at the rank of lecturer. Most appointments at this level are 'continuing', the equivalent of North American tenure, although some temporary appointees at Level B on longer contracts may achieve promotion to Level C during their employment.
B Lecturer Assistant Professor Assistant Professor $69,593 - $88,238 Equivalent to assistant professor in North American universities (though without implication of tenure status – appointments at this level can be strictly temporary, or entirely permanent). This is the usual entry level appointment for new full-time academics, be they permanent or on temporary contract. Appointment at Level B typically requires the candidate to possess a PhD. It is possible for a lecturer in Australia and New Zealand to be on a permanent contract and complete their probation while remaining at Level B, thus attaining the equivalent of tenure.
A Associate Lecturer Associate Lecturer Lecturer $55,998 - $72,288 Appointments at this level are usually for new academics with extensive industry experience relevant to teaching and research but who do not possess a PhD. Most appointments that occasion a contract are at Level B, making Level A roughly equivalent to North American positions of lecturer or instructor.

Research only positions

The Australian public service or government organisations also employ a large number of academics or researchers. Different organisations have their own established title systems (e.g., principal scientist, senior officer etc.). However, it is the level rather than the title that determines the equivalent academic rank. With Commonwealth Scientific & Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO), levels for Research Scientists and Research Engineers are as follows:

Most state governments use similar levels, but may use different titles. CSIRO uses the same levels but different titles for other functional roles, including Research Management, Research Projects and Research Consulting. These roles are less directly analogous to academic positions, though Research Management roles at levels 7 and 8 could be equated to Associate Dean and Dean roles at universities.

The Western Australian state government introduced a specified calling system in 2008. Within this system,

Administrative ranks

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dr Kelly Farrell (August 2009). THE USE OF THE TITLE ‘PROFESSOR’ A report of the policies, conventions and practices among Australian higher education providers (PDF) (Report).
  2. ↑ "University Policy on: Award of the Title of Emeritus Professor". Centre for the Study of Higher Education. University of Melbourne. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2015-01-09.
  4. ↑ http://www.hr.uwa.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/2593399/Academic-Staff-Agreement-2014.pdf
  5. ↑ . http://www.eui.eu/ProgrammesAndFellowships/AcademicCareersObservatory/AcademicCareersbyCountry/Australia.aspx
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