B/12.4 Conference attendance for professional staff
Contact Officer | Associate Director, Human Resources (Workplace Relations) |
Approval Date | 02/05/2008 |
Approval Authority | Vice-Chancellor and President |
Date of Next Review | 01/07/2011 |
2.4.1 Principles
12.4.2 Eligibility
12.4.3 Approval and funding
12.4.4 Application process
Related Documents
Modification History
12.4.1 Principles
The University recognises the need to provide opportunities for professional staff members to attend conferences (including seminars or meetings) of direct relevance to their work. Attendance and participation can assist staff members to keep abreast of developments in their fields and establish valuable professional contacts, with resultant benefit to the University.
Staff members are encouraged where possible to make substantial contributions to conferences through the presentation of papers or by participating in official roles.
12.4.2 Eligibility
Professional staff members with an ongoing or fixed-term appointment are eligible to apply for conference attendance.
12.4.3 Approval and funding
Registration, travel and associated costs for conference attendance are approved by the relevant head of school / department / independent section, and are normally paid from school / departmental budgets.
The Professional Development Program (PDP) (see B/12.8 ) also provides an opportunity for professional staff to obtain financial support (in the form of a contribution to travel, meal and accommodation expenses) to attend a conference. Staff classified at HEW2-HEW6 (inclusive) may apply to have conference registration fees paid through the PDP scheme.
Leave for conference attendance will not normally exceed one week.
12.4.4 Application process
All applicants must discuss the proposed conference attendance with their supervisor prior to lodging an application. The supervisor should at that time offer an opinion as to the relevance of the conference and whether the application should be considered as a Professional Development Program.
Applications for conference attendance will outline:
- conference details and fees;
- the actual or anticipated cost of all travel associated with the conference attendance (if applicable);
- the actual or anticipated cost of accommodation, meals and incidentals (if applicable);
- details of any other significant costs associated with the conference attendance.
A staff member in receipt of financial assistance other than normal salary is required to conform to the conditions applicable to expenditure of University funds (see G/5 ).
Related Documents
MOPP B/12.8 Professional development program (PDP) for professional staff
MOPP G/5 Expenditure
Modification History
| Date | Sections | Source | Details |
| 23.06.08 | B/12.4.3 | Human Resources Director | Updated to clarify funding alternatives for conference attendance |
| 02.05.08 | All | Vice-Chancellor | Revised policy |
| 24.10.01 | All | Council | Revised policy (in accordance with revisions to B/12.7 Professional Development Leave policy for academic staff) |