or Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave

Policy Owner	Director, Human Resources - Centres of Expertise
Approval Date	28/01/2022
Approval Authority	Vice-Chancellor and President
Date of Next Review	31/01/2025

6.7.1 Purpose
6.7.2 Application
6.7.3 Roles and responsibilities
6.7.4 Aboriginal and/or Torres Islander cultural and ceremonial leave
6.7.5 Delegations
Related Documents
Modification History

6.7.1 Purpose

The University recognises the importance for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff to fulfil cultural or ceremonial obligations in accordance with traditional customs and laws. Cultural or ceremonial obligations may include, but are not limited to: initiation, birthing and naming, funeral, smoking or cleansing and sacred site or land, sea and sky ceremonies.

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6.7.2 Application

This policy applies to ongoing and fixed-term staff who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and are accepted as such by their community.

This policy includes leave to prepare for or attend community organisation business, native title business, or National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observation Committee (NAIDOC) Week. Additional leave provisions relevant to these areas are also available in the Personal leave, sick/carer’s leave, and compassionate leave policy (B/6.3).

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6.7.3 Roles and responsibilities

Position	Responsibility
Staff member	provides as much notice as possible of the proposed leave informs their supervisor/manager of the proposed leave submits an application for leave
Supervisor/manager	considers a staff member’s application for leave provides recommendation to the authorising officer
Authorising officer	determines the final outcome of an application for leave

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6.7.4 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave

Entitlement

Eligible staff members may be granted up to three days non-cumulative Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave on full pay in a 12 month period.

Part-time staff are granted this leave on a proportional basis of the full-time entitlement according to the staff member's percentage of full-time employment.

Application and approval for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave

A staff member must apply for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave on-line via the QUT Digital Workplace for approval prior to the leave being taken or, where this is not possible, at the earliest opportunity, or upon return to work.

The authorising officer may require reasonable evidence in support of an application for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave.

Subject to approval from the authorising officer, a staff member may take personal leave, accrued recreation leave, accrued long service leave or leave without pay for additional cultural and ceremonial purposes.

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6.7.5 Delegations

Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (VC108, VC110) (QUT staff access only).

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Modification History

Date	Sections	Source	Details
14.02.22	All	Director, Human Resources - Centres of Expertise	Revised policy to clarify purpose of leave and additional leave
28.01.22	All	Director, Human Resources - Centres of Expertise	Revised policy to align with Human Resources delegations review and review application
19.11.19	All	Associate Director, Human Resources	Periodic review and simplified policy - minor revisions only
09.11.15	All	Vice-Chancellor	New policy

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