Study Assistance Policy
Designated officer: Director, Human Resources
Council approval: C05/109, 6 December 2005
Last revised: N/A
Related policies:
Overview
Study Assistance aims to support the development of a better skilled and flexible workforce and to encourage the development of individual staff. Financial assistance and leave to attend classes and examinations may be granted to eligible staff members enrolled in an approved program.
Policy
1.1 Eligibility
Fixed-term and ongoing staff holding an appointment of 12 months or more are eligible to apply for study assistance.
1.2 Types of study
Study at Secondary and Tertiary Levels
Approval for assistance may be granted for programs of study undertaken at secondary and tertiary levels. Programs are to be undertaken at or through approved educational institutions and other registered training organisations (RTOs). An approved educational institution or RTO is an organisation widely accepted and accredited to provide teaching or facilities for assessment of results in the area of study concerned and includes universities, colleges, TAFE colleges and registered agencies. Where a program of study is not available through an approved educational institution or RTO and special circumstances apply, approval can still be given.
Recommended Programs of Study
The University can recommend and actively encourage particular programs of study for staff. Programs may also be recommended by supervisors and Cost Centre Managers or in consultation with staff. The University can also nominate priority areas for staff who wish to retrain for new careers. The normal provisions governing program approval will continue to apply in these cases.
Short Courses
Approval may be granted for attendance at short courses directly relevant to a staff member's duties or anticipated duties. Normally, short courses will provide skills training in specific areas considered by the supervisor to be necessary for the staff member to be effective in their current position and/or to enhance performance. Successful completion of the short course must result in the receipt of a certificate or award for a short course to be approved under the study assistance scheme.
2. Categories of study assistance
There are three categories of study assistance that determine the level of financial assistance and/or leave available to staff to undertake study.
- Category A applies where a staff member is required to enrol in a particular program as a condition of their employment. This condition will be explicitly stated in the staff member's written offer of appointment or other formal correspondence.
- Category B applies where the program of study will directly contribute to the staff member's performance of duties and is consistent with the qualifications and training level reflected in the classification standards of their substantive position or anticipated future duties at the University.
- Category C applies where the program of study will generally contribute to the staff member's performance in their substantive position or contribute, by being relevant to other positions in the University, to the continuing development of the individual staff member.
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