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Staff Professional Development Scheme

 

Overview

The College recognises that all staff, both academic and general, have a right to seek assistance for professional development activities. In many cases, professional development is interwoven with other aspects of work in a University environment and opportunities for development are present in nearly every staffing position. Further, supervisors have the capacity to deal with individual cases and often provide assistance through funding for activities such as study leave, conferences, seminars, journals, etc. However, on occasion there are relatively small items required for professional development that do not fit into a typical category, that if supported would make a difference to an individual’s development. This policy seeks to provide such support. Inevitably, with any such policy there is a trade-off between activities in a constrained funding environment. The support provided under this policy does not represent full provision of professional development support and other activities are supported through other schemes.

Eligibility

All staff holding appointments for longer than 363 days funded out of recurrent R-ledger monies are eligible for support under this policy.

Amount

The maximum amount of financial support under this scheme is currently $1,000 per full-time eligible staff member per annum. Eligible staff holding fractional appointments are entitled to a pro-rata amount. The maximum amount will be reviewed annually by the Dean.

Eligible Items

It is expected that the financial support will be used for items that have a direct relationship with the staff member’s duties, roles and career aspirations. Typical items include:

• Books - academic, technical and training
• Conference travel
• Database purchase/subscription
• Education tuition fees
• Internet/email access fees – limited to $30 per month or 50% of the account, whichever is lower (Internet Services Provider Charges Expense Claim Form required)
• Journal subscriptions
• Professional membership fees
• Seminars and associated travel
• Short course fees
• Corporate Wardrobe (Refer to the Policy)

Staff in doubt as to the eligibility of an item should consult the College Finance Team prior to committing to the expenditure.

Ineligible Items

• Financial support will not be provided for items that are essentially private in nature and where there is no clear nexus between their work and the activity.
• Computer software, hardware (including desktop and laptop computers), personal digital assistants (PDAs), and peripheral IT items.
• Funds cannot be used to support payroll activities (eg. research assistance).

Administration

The administration of this policy is the responsibility of the College Finance Team.

1. Financial support will be by reimbursement to the staff member. In order to qualify for reimbursement, the following procedure must be followed:
2. All expenditure for which reimbursement is sought must have supporting documentation in the form of original receipts.
3. Staff may lodge more one claim per year however they must note on the claim form that previous claim(s) have been submitted.
4. Claims in excess of the maximum amount will be treated as claims for the maximum amount.
5. The maximum amount is inclusive of any GST.
6. Where expenditure has involved payment for GST, every attempt should be made to obtain an official tax invoice and receipt from the supplier.
7. The relevant period runs on a calendar year.
8. Allowances not claimed by the end of the relevant annual accounting period (usually early December) will lapse and will not carry across years.

Claim Forms

Adobe Acrobat:  Click to open and print a claim form. [PDF, 42kb]

Microsoft Word:  Right-click and select "Save As" to download a claim form. [Word, 29kb]