Casual Academics

Working with the School of Social Science

Eligibility

In the School of Social Science preference is given to our current HDR students and HDR students enrolled in the Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) for employment opportunities.

You must have work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. 

We value diversity and inclusion, and actively encourage applications from those who bring diversity to the University. UQ’s Diversity and Inclusion webpage contains further information if you require additional support. 

What We Can Offer 

The School recruits for casual academic appointments in Semester 1, 2 and Summer. The casual rate will vary depending on the type of work completed, which can include marking, tutoring and teaching assistant roles. Please view the full list of various UQ casual academic pay scales.

Initial hours are based upon expected enrolment figures, which often fluctuate in the first few weeks of semester. After census date, all hours (particularly marking) is reassessed using census enrolment figures, which means that your allocated hours may increase or decrease depending on the number of students allocated to you at the time the work is undertaken.

The School's standard marking rate equivalent to 3500 words per hour and the pay rate code is AC30.  For example, if marking 2000 words for 18 students, then 2000 x 18 / 3500 = 10 hours 17 mins.

Further resources

• You can find further information about the learning activities and assessment for each course by looking at its Electronic Course Profile (ECP). 
• Duty Statements
  • Marker
  • Tutor
  • Coordinating Tutor
  • Teaching Assistant

Please see the Casual Academic Opportunities tab to view current vacancies in the School of Social Sciences.

Semester 2, 2026 

Applications are now open for Semester 2, 2026.

How to Apply

• Current University employees or HDR scholarship holders: Login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity.
• All other applicants: Submit your application through the external job board.

The University treats all collected information as confidential and complies with Australian and Queensland privacy laws and guidelines. Information you supply will only be used for the administrative purposes of the University and in accordance with your specific consent. The University will not make any information you supply available to a third party unless required or permitted by law.

Key Dates

Selection Process (Tuesday 16 June – Thursday 25 June)

• Course Coordinators will contact applicants they are considering for their courses.
• These discussions will cover teaching expectations, schedules, and availability.
• If selected, the Course Coordinator will explicitly inform you that they are offering you teaching work (subject to formal approval by the Head of School).
• Selected candidate applications will be submitted for approval by the Head of School.
• Once approved, teaching activities will be configured in the University's CAHP system (this may take 2-3 weeks after selection).
• Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in early July.

What Happens After Selection

If you are selected to teach in Semester 2, 2026:

New casual staff will receive an Employment Agreement (contract) from HR. This agreement needs to be accepted before commencing work.

Returning staff with an active casual academic contract will be engaged through their current Employment Agreement.

All selected staff will receive:

• A welcome email from the School confirming your selection.
• A Teaching Activity Schedule in CAHP listing your specific courses and activities.
• Course-specific information from your Course Coordinator(s).

Important note: The CAHP Teaching Activity Schedule is the official record of approved teaching activities. Casual academic staff should check this regularly for the most up-to-date information about teaching assignments.

Questions?

For questions about specific courses, please contact the Course Coordinator directly (listed in the table below).

For general queries about the EOI process, please contact schoolsocialsciencecahp@uq.edu.au

Course List

Useful Resources for Casual Academics

Below you will find a range of useful resources to assist you in your role as a casual academic in the School of Social Science.

• Casual Academic Onboarding Manual (PDF, 4.9 MB) (UQ staff log-in required)
• Duty Statements
  • Marker (DOCX, 57.3 KB)
  • Tutor (DOCX, 59.2 KB)
  • Coordinating Tutor (DOCX, 60.2 KB)
  • Teaching Assistant (DOCX, 59.3 KB)

For generic casual academic information and resources, please see the Casual Academics at UQ webpage.