1 Policy Statement

The University supports and encourages schemes which provide for exchange between its employees and employees of other appropriate organisations.

(Approved by Council June 1998)

2 Principles

The aim of the Employee Exchange Programme is to enhance an employee's career and professional development in relation to innovative ideas and methods of their particular discipline, profession or vocation by:

• Enabling employees to work in a comparable Australian or overseas University on exchange with an employee from the University;

• Enabling employees to arrange an exchange with employees in an industrial, commercial or government position that is directly relevant to the role of the employee in the University.

In addition, the Employee Exchange Programme may also be utilised to recognise and reward exceptional work performance by an employee through providing them with the opportunity to acquire expanded knowledge, skills and abilities.

3 Procedures

3.1 Eligibility

An exchange will normally be approved only if the exchangees have similar areas of expertise/experience or other arrangements are possible to cover the position's workload.

Initial arrangements for exchange will normally be undertaken by the University employee interested in an exchange, in consultation with the relevant delegate.

3.2 Location

An exchange may be arranged within Australia or overseas.

3.3 Duration

The period of absence from the University on exchange will be subject to negotiation.

3.4 Leave Entitlements

Leave entitlements remain unchanged.

3.5 Accommodation and Travel

Accommodation and travel arrangements are the private responsibility of exchangees.  Refer to 3.6 for financial assistance details.

3.6 Salary and Financial Assistance

While an employee is on exchange the University will be responsible for the employee's salary but not for the salary or associated costs of the employee coming to the University on exchange.

The University may consider requests for financial assistance as prescribed for ADOSP or PDL for living and travel allowances. An employee in receipt of a grant shall be required to conform to the conditions applicable to the grant as prescribed under the ADOSP or PDL.

3.7 How to Apply

All applications for exchange must be forwarded to the Category 2 Delegate via the Category 4 Delegate or above and include the following details:

• proposed arrangements in detail;

• basic information concerning the exchangee: name, qualifications, position in other organisation, areas of expertise;

• how the employee's workload will be handled during the exchange;

• complete details of all financial arrangements and work responsibilities for both exchangees;

• benefits expected to accrue to the exchangees and the University from the exchange.

The Category 4 Delegate or above will discuss the application with the employee and indicate the recommendation that will be made to the Category 2 Delegate.

The employee will be responsible for arranging any visas or work permits through the appropriate agency.

Human Resources will register the application, and forward the application to the Category 2 Delegate.

3.8 Approvals

The Category 2 Delegate's decision will be conveyed to the Executive Director, Human Resources who will advise the applicant of the decision via the Category 4 Delegate or above.

An exchange will normally be approved only if the exchangees have similar areas of expertise/experience or other arrangements are possible to cover the position's workload.

Formal offers of exchange will be made by the Executive Director, Human Resources.

4 Other Policy Information