Griffith University
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    Griffith University
    (196 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Griffith University

    3.5196 ratings in total
    5
    57
    4
    60
    3
    28
    2
    22
    1
    29
    86%
    Rate salary as high or average
    67%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends
    Work/Life balance
    3.6(196 ratings)
    Career development
    3.1(196 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    3.2(196 ratings)
    Management
    3.1(196 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.5(196 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.7(196 ratings)
    Ratings for Griffith University are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

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    2.0
    Teacher
    Mar 2026
    South Brisbane QLD 410127 to 28 years in the role, former employee
    For 25 years I saw sessional staff do most of the actual teaching
    The good thingsFor the first 20 years, good students. Post Covid not so much
    The challengesPoor facilities, bad treatment of sessional staff
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Sessional Teacher and Phd candidate
    Dec 2025
    All Gold Coast QLD7 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    Griffith is a parasitic trap that exploits staff for years then weaponizes policy to deny security.
    The good thingsAbsolutly nothing in hindsight- not once did I feel part of a team after working here for 8 years.
    The challengesMy eight-year tenure at Griffith University was defined by exploitation rather than opportunity. Despite my commitment, the institution showed zero consideration for my professional stability. The university's policy-making is fundamentally deceptive. After being instructed to pursue a PhD to qualify for full-time roles, Griffith introduced a conversion scheme that effectively "blacklisted" PhD candidates for two years. This isn't just poor management—it’s a calculated effort to maintain a cheap, overqualified workforce. I regret every year spent under this administration.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Corporate Services Officer
    Dec 2025
    Nathan QLD 411110 to 11 years in the role, former employee
    Hostile, unrewarding and hypocritical
    The good thingsEasy parking and extra days off over Christmas so they can save money and close the campus
    The challengesThe working environment is really toxic and aggressive. The buildings and facilities are run down. None of the systems work and it's very hostile. They're an employer of last resort.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Finance Role
    Oct 2025
    All Gold Coast QLD5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    The childcare center has also closed after 30 years operation ,what is next
    The good thingsThe anxiety that you will get sack tomorrow
    The challengesNothing , a perfect place
    3 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Lecturer B (continuing appointment)
    Jul 2025
    All Gold Coast QLD13 to 14 years in the role, former employee
    No longer the values based organisation that it once was.
    The good thingsThe students and colleagues were lovely.
    The challengesGriffith University changed in the time I worked there, from being a values driven organisation with a sense of a shared mission, to just another higher education business with a primary focus on profit. This change in mission permeated the senior leadership group, and had a very demoralising impact on many staff.
    5 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Management
    May 2025
    Brisbane QLD 40004 to 5 years in the role, former employee
    I had high expectations for Griffith University but, unfortunately, my experience fell short in several key areas. Administrative processes were often slow, inconsistent, and lacking accountability. Getting clear answers or timely support was frustrating, with departments frequently deflecting responsibility or failing to follow through. Support services were heavily promoted but rarely delivered with any meaningful impact when actually needed. Too much politics and hierarchy to actually implement anything of meaning The university talks a lot about innovation and inclusivity, but from my experience, this is more marketing than reality. Internal communication was poor, systems and processes are outdated, and decisions affecting students and staff were often made without proper consultation. Overall, I found Griffith to be more focused on optics and revenue than student outcomes.
    The good thingsGriffith offers exciting project work and the chance to lead real change. There’s flexibility, strong super contributions, and some great teams to work with. If you’re proactive and self-driven, there’s room to make a genuine impact despite the challenges.
    The challengesFrequent internal barriers make it hard to get things done. Departmental silos, poor communication, and red tape slow progress. Decision-making is reactive, with unclear accountability. Support from leadership varies greatly depending on who you report to.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Finance
    May 2025
    All Gold Coast QLD1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Consider this as a last option only
    The good thingsGood international students and better facility with todays environment
    The challengesLack of interest to help & support to new staff. Expectations are for executive levels in finance
    3 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Research Fellow
    Feb 2025
    All Gold Coast QLD1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Highly recommend working at Griffith University!
    The good thingsGreat place to work. I worked at a large research group with a group of talented engineers and scientists.
    The challengesFunding is a challenge if you don't have a permanent job.
    1.0
    Finance Role
    Dec 2024
    Nathan QLD 411111 to 12 years in the role, former employee
    The C-F-0 has stepped down from the finance team, and I can’t say I’m surprised. With two supervisors and a manager above me, I was always the only one actually doing the work. It’s baffling how that structure lasted so long. The CFO’s departure has only confirmed what I already knew: her strategy wasn’t sustainable and was not strategical at all
    The good thingsthe facility is so good and the students are all very nice.
    The challengesIf you work for the wrong department , it s the nightmare, I m glad I have left the finance service team
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Lecturer
    Oct 2024
    All Gold Coast QLD
    After 15 years at Griffith Uni I have walked away with a very poor perception of the institution which is heartbreaking.
    The good thingsMy colleagues were great.
    The challengesMisogynist and egotistic managers, poor transparency, unclear promotion benchmarks, extremely poor treatment of staff in the business school by executive leadership. Myself and colleagues that have left are not recommending our children persue degrees at Griffith because we know how bad things are and they're racing to the bottom. GriffTAFE is back.
    6 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Library Officer
    Sep 2024
    All Gold Coast QLD
    Lack of interest to help new employees succeed on the role.
    The good thingsConvenient work location, close to public transport. Lovely students.
    The challengesLack of training and support, new staff are left to their own devices when starting on the role, poor leadership.
    6 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Administration Role
    Sep 2024
    Brisbane QLD 40003 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    The financial strains, staff cuts and increased workloads is unmanageable.
    The good thingsSome great people and students to work with. Some managers are very supportive and appreciate your help.
    The challengesSince COVID there has been major restructuring which means, less staff, unmanageable workloads and very low morale. Working across multiple campuses has become the new NORM. This has drastically affected the level of support available to students and client services
    4 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Training Officer
    Jul 2024
    All Gold Coast QLD1 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    This organisation has so much potential and are very fortunate to have attracted some top talent. However, the inability to reach understanding in people centred approaches is exhausting. One size does not fit all!
    The good thingsThe staff are helpful and engaging and loyal
    The challengesManagement are out of touch with contemporary work practices and are always right.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Client Services Officer
    Jul 2024
    Nathan QLD 4111Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great environment and work life balance.
    The good thingsEmployees are well looked after
    The challengesTraining could improve
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Manager
    May 2024
    All Gold Coast QLDformer employee
    If you are power hungry and money is your priority, then Griffith is for you.
    The good thingsThe salary is the best thing about Griffith
    The challengesManagement put profits before staff and student welfare. Education comes second now since COVID and it's spiraling out of control.
    6 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Student Connect Officer
    Aug 2023
    All Gold Coast QLD1 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Enjoyable and rewarding
    The good thingsThe people - the students, the location.
    The challengesProcesses were slow but overall - it's definitely no where near the worst place to work.
    1.0
    Languages Teacher
    Aug 2023
    All Gold Coast QLD
    Poor management with few leadership skills or empathy. Essentially no career opportunities and constant feeling of being disposable with never any thanks expressed.
    The good thingsInteraction with students was generally positive.
    The challengesLittle appreciation by management
    5 people found this helpful
    2.0
    Library Officer
    Jun 2023
    Nathan QLD 4111
    Demoralising
    The good thingsGenerous super, flexible work arrangements.
    The challengesAn element of senior management was rude, patronising, dismissive and disrespectful. Legitimate concerns about workplace issues sometimes minimised and not taken seriously. Too many long-term staff members, some of whom act with a sense of entitlement and often get their way because people too scared to challenge them.
    3 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Librarian
    Jun 2023
    Nathan QLD 4111
    I wish I had left sooner.
    The good thingsLovely students, some good staff, superannuation
    The challengesThe previous review was clearly written by a university shill, read the other reviews. Management is incompetent and unsupportive of staff, the culture is toxic, and the pay is low.
    10 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Librarian
    May 2023
    Nathan QLD 4111
    A wonderful, supportive university.
    The good thingsGriffith lives the values of providing an inclusive, diverse respectful and fair work environment. Led by an amazing VC, the University cares about their people and students. Autonomy to innovate and take risks. Supportive management and colleagues who listen and care for eachother. The comments below talk of a toxic culture with selfish management, this was not my experience in the Library, reach out and talk to staff and you will see that it is not the case. That's why people stay for many years. I also admire how staff care for students with a wonderful staff giving program. Loved going to work every day.
    The challengesTimes are tough with the tail-end of a pandemic so it makes perfect sense to "do more with less" along with change in academia, learning and teaching, service delivery. The university tries to work smarter rather than pushing their staff.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    English Language Instructor
    Apr 2023
    All Gold Coast QLD
    Very disappointing experience. So glad I no longer work there.
    The good thingsMotivated students, that's about it.
    The challengesGrossly incompetent leadership with poor communication and people skills, next to no career prospects, little warmth or compassion shown by management and very limited interaction with colleagues, plus uncertainty of work despite postgraduate qualifications and positive student feedback.
    9 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Administration Officer
    Mar 2023
    Less than 1 year in the role, former employee
    awful.
    The good thingsA slightly higher rate of pay than minimum wage
    The challengestoxic culture terrible management gossiping in the workplace
    7 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Finance
    Jan 2023
    Not a bad place to work if you're into the culture.
    The good thingsExcellent pay, challenging work, good people, beautiful locations.
    The challengesA large company so you can feel like you don't matter sometimes. Some old procedures that need to be updated. Some managers are iffy. Academics and Corporate staff don't always see eye-to-eye.
    1.0
    Project Manager
    Dec 2022
    5 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    A suitable working place for over 50's who are looking for a paycheck and no career progression.
    The good thingsA great place to work if you have children and looking for work/life balance. Most of the staff are respectful and polite.
    The challengesNo career progression at all! Whilst a university with an abundance of research and information in many areas, their HR and People Services lacks a personal centred approach. Expect to regress in your career.
    9 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Corporate role
    Nov 2022
    Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great career progression and development opportunities. High Super and collaborative team.
    The good thingsCulture and supportive team and general environment
    The challengesThere is a lot of planning and coordinating.
    1.0
    Analyst
    Oct 2022
    9 to 10 years in the role
    Was a great place to work... not any more!
    The good thingsThe people in my team were great but since covid and work from home I never see them face to face... teams is not the same. A great place to start a career if you get out after 2-3 years max. 17% super is the best you'll find anywhere but salary package is much lower than industry standard for high demand IT professionals.
    The challengesKeeping up you IT skills is now impossible. Progression moves so slowly. Try to get new tech installed if your not a product teams is near impossible especially given the zero budget for anything of value. Change moves at a glacial pace. Management has no vision other than there very limited KPI's. Silos are just getting bigger. Technical debt is huge. The recent covid restructure has made everything so much worse. The executives take zero responsibility for anything, including a mass exit of really good people.
    11 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Library
    Sep 2022
    former employee
    Awful.
    The good things17% super, colleagues were nice.
    The challengesToxic workplace and culture. Little to no recognition, appreciation, or respect from mediocre / incompetent managers who are only concerned with their own career progression within the university, as many are long-term employees who would be incapable of securing employment elsewhere. Extremely limited opportunities for career advancement. Staff are constantly told they must "do more with less" due to under-staffing and a never-ending lack of resources. 
    14 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Project Manager
    Jun 2022
    7 to 8 years in the role, former employee
    Find a better place to work. Nearly 20% of DS have already
    The good thingsDigital Solutions has some good people to work with.
    The challengesGrossly incompetent leadership in Digital Solutions. Management are only interested in outcomes that benefit themselves. If you’re over 55 forget about any promotions
    8 people found this helpful
    5.0
    IT Director, University Operations
    Nov 2021
    Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Great to be a part of something so important as Research and Education.
    The good thingsPeople and Culture, truly Values driven
    The challengesNone, just a lot to be getting on with, but exciting as we embed our Digital Master Plan.
    1 person found this helpful
    3.0
    Student Support
    Aug 2021
    If you are at the tailend of your career, this is the workplace, but for someone that wants to achieve adn see good outcomes, not the place. People want to protect their own jobs and not really there for the students.
    The good thingsWork/life balance, superannuation, high salary above average, autonomy (although too much of this can bend towards isolation).
    The challengesIsolating work environment, toxic workplace, no accountability or shared goals.
    5 people found this helpful
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