Introduction

1.   The University recognises that many staff have carer responsibilities that may limit their access to opportunities for the development of their careers.

2.   The Carer’s Career Development Assistance Fund is aimed at supporting staff with primary carer responsibilities to participate in significant national or international conferences, workshops or symposia relevant to their careers.

3.   Carer responsibilities can include responsibilities for children, elderly, incapacitated or disabled family members.

Financial Assistance

4.   Funding under the Carers’ Career Development Assistance Fund is for extraordinary carer costs only. It is not a substitute for existing childcare and other related costs of caring.

5.   It will support childcare costs for dependent children up to 18 years of age.  Funding is also available in situations where the child is over 18, has a disability and is dependant, and in situations where the applicant is a carer of elderly family members. The staff member must be the primary caregiver or have the major caring responsibility.

6.   Grants are available for carer support to the maximum of $1000:

•  if the dependant is to accompany the staff member interstate or overseas; or
• where alternative care is arranged.

7.   Staff may apply for one grant annually.

8.   Original receipts will be required to acquit the grant and release the payment, which will be paid via the Finance system as a reimbursement.  Any reimbursement over $300 may trigger a FBT liability which will be considered on a case by case basis.

Eligibility

9.   All staff employed either full-time or part-time on permanent or fixed term appointments are eligible to apply. 

10. The conference, workshop or symposium must be of a national or international level where attendance will contribute towards the development of the staff member’s career.

11. Applicants must have received prior approval by the relevant supervisor to attend the conference, workshop or symposium.  Applications will not be considered retrospectively.

12. Applicants must have attained, and sustained, (at least) satisfactory work performance, as evidenced by their Statement/s of Expectations (Supporting our Staff Performance Management Framework).

Applications

13. An Application Form is to be completed the staff member, supported and signed by the relevant supervisor, and forwarded to the Diversity and Inclusion Branch for assessment at least 8 weeks prior to the event.  The application includes:

a)  details of the national or international conference, workshop or symposia to be attended, its importance and status;

b)   information on how the attendance will contribute towards the development of their career eg invitations, presentations, conference paper accepted etc;

c)  the amount of funds requested and the type of care support required, eg additional child care, travel costs. This should include reasonable costs for care, alternative arrangements considered and existing care arrangements;

d)  a statement of previous funding received under this program;

e)   a statement of support for and approval of attendance from the relevant supervisor which must include comment upon the value and status of the conference, workshop or symposium for the applicant’s career development; and

f)   current CV.

Assessment Criteria

14.  The following criteria will be applied when assessing applications:

a)   the value of the particular activity to the career of the applicant;

b)   the status of the activity;

c)   whether the application is reasonable taking standard rates of care, other possible care arrangements, and the existing care arrangements of the applicant into consideration;

d)   the role of the applicant at the conference, workshop, symposium, eg  whether the applicant will be presenting a paper etc;

e)   previous funding received from this fund for care support;

f)    other local, national, and international fora attended; and

g)   overall funding availability.

Assessment Process

15. Applications will be assessed by a Committee, consisting of:

• Manager, Diversity and Inclusion
• PVC (R)
• A College representative (rotational position, by invitation)

16.  The Committee will consider applications either online, or by meeting to consider several applications at the same time.

17.  Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application, via email, as soon as is practicable.