By Hannah Farrow
In a disclosure of financial information, ANUSA has provided details of the stipends received by its executive members. These stipends are paid fortnightly and are governed by the ANUSA Finance Regulations, which are subject to potential changes through amendments to these regulations.
The ANUSA Constiution states that while holding office under the Constitution, “the members of the Executive of the Association are offered a stipend for the work that they carry out in recognition of their services to the Association and its members.”
An ANUSA stipend refers to financial support provided by the Australian National University Students’ Association (ANUSA) to assist students in meeting their academic and living expenses.
They aim to alleviate some of the financial burdens that students may face during their education, allowing them to place time upon their role that they have been elected to. Historically, however the positions have not been paid and were considered volunteer roles.
The total amount is provided $319, 963.28. In 2017, the total amount allocated for remuneration (Stipend and Superannuation) based upon the 2017 amount was $180,799 which is subject to CPI increase.
President:
The President receives $51,928.46 in stipends during their term. They are expected to work roughly 35 hours per week and receive $1,991.78 per fortnight.
ANUSA 2015/2016 president Ben Gill was paid the ACT minimum wage of $17 an hour, which totalled to $30,000 a year for President. The stipend for the President for December 2016 to November 2014 is $44,500. However, Observer interviewed the 1994 President of ANUSA Caitlin Wynham who was unpaid in her time as President. In her time, the position was considered a volunteer role.
Vice President:
The Vice President’s stipend amounts to $36,349.92 and works 24.5 hours per week, adding up to $1,394.24 per fortnight.
According to the ANUSA Constitution, the stipend for the Vice-President shall be a maximum of 70% of the Presidents stipend.
The following positions are expected to work 14 hours a week. All of these roles, according to the Constitution, shall be set for a maximum of 40% of the Presidents stipend.
The General Secretary receives $20,771.38 in stipends or $796.71 per fortnight. This role is responsible for the internal administration. They are also responsible for interpreting ANUSA constitution, by-laws and policies.
The Education Officer also receives $20,771.38 in stipends and receives $796.71 per fortnight. The Education Officer is responsible for organising activist campaigns.
The Treasurer’s stipend is $20,771.38 and receives $796.71 per fortnight. The Treasurer is responsible for developing the budgets and work with ANUSA’s Financial Manager to ensure money is being spent appropriately.
The Clubs Officer receives $20,771.38 and receives $796.71 per fortnight. This role oversees O-Week, Bush-week and other social events, including the clubs programs.
The Welfare Officer’s stipend is $20,771.38 and receives $796.71 per fortnight. This role is responsible for advocacy and services for welfare of students often relating to housing, good and financial security.
The following roles have an undisclosed amount of expected working hours per week.
The Indigenous Officer receives $16,000 and receives $613.70 per fortnight.
The Queer Officer’s stipend is $20,000 and receives $796.71 per fortnight.
The Disabilities Co-Officers each receive $15,000 and receives $575.53 per fortnight.
The BIPOC Officer receives $20,000 and receives $767.12 per fortnight.
The International Officer’s stipend is $6,828 and receives $261.90 per fortnight.
The Environment Officer’s stipend amounts to $20,000 and receives $767.12 per fortnight.
The Parents and Carers Officer receives $7,500 ($15,000) and is expected to receive $575.34 per fortnight.
The Postgraduate HDR Officer’s stipend is $3,750 ($7,500) is expected to receive $287.67 per fortnight.
The Postgraduate Coursework Officer also receives $3,750 ($7,500) and is expected to receive $287.67 per fortnight.
It is worth noting that the stipends for department officers can be adjusted annually through department motions.
The Parents and Carers Officer, Postgraduate HDR Officer, and Postgraduate Coursework Officer receive a pro-rata amount for the year based on their term start date, as mandated by the ANUSA Constitution. Additionally, all stipend amounts are subject to adjustments in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase on an annual basis.
Any potential changes to these stipends will require amendments to the ANUSA Finance Regulations, and such modifications will be subject to SRC approval.
However, despite these salaries many individuals within the ANUSA executive positions have often reported feeling burnt-out in their positions.
The General Secretary, Phoenix O’Neill also stated how the work “burned” them out last semester within the SRC5 2023 reports. Indigenous Officer Katchmirr Russell stated in SRC 7 2022, that they they were “so burnt out” due to the fact that nobody else ran for the position of Indigenous Representative.
In 2014, it was deemed that “representative burnout is one of the largest risks to the students’ association. Despite the radical increase in funding staff and projects that have accompanied SSAF, hours for the executive has remained fairly constant.”
It was stated within this report that this is due to the fact that there is a “reliance on executive members for work that shouldn’t be done by student representatives and a generally executive heavy structure versus students associations around the country.”
More can be read about this issue in particular here or access the Unions minutes from the 2022 meeting here.
Information was provided to ANU Observer by the ANUSA Treasury.
Editors note: An earlier edition of this article falsely stated that the figures described as being paid on a fortnightly basis were paid on a weekly basis. The article has been amended to reflect this.
If any discussion about burn-out or work fatigue was concerning for you or anyone else you know, below are support services and contacts:
Access and Inclusion: 02 6125 5036 or [email protected]
ANU Counselling: 02 6125 2211or 02 6178 0455 or [email protected]
ANU Student and Wellbeing: 02 6125 2211 or [email protected] or visit the Health and Wellbeing Centre
ANU Health: 02 6125 3598 or 02 6178 0400
ANU 24/7 Crisis Support Line: Call 1300 05 0327 or Text 0488 884 170
Access Mental Health (ACT): 1800 629 354
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Graphics by Annisa Zatalini
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