The report found that Australian universities are making extensive use of salary loadings and other incentives to attract new academic staff and retain existing staff. The report argues that the main reason for the use of these incentives is because Australian academic salaries are relatively uncompetitive with comparable private sector salaries in Australia and some overseas academic salaries.
The report also found that universities are finding it difficult to fill positions at both the bottom level of the salary range – associate lecturer – and at the top end – professor. The difficulty in filling the lower end positions could reflect the declining attraction of academic careers. The report suggests that a major shortfall of academics in the English-speaking world is likely over the next decade which could make it more difficult for Australian universities to recruit staff.