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Guidelines for use of Development Funding

1. Use of the development funding by any individual means that s/he is committing to undertaking a performance and development process and completing the necessary review stages (ie, not using the development funding early in the cycle then failing to participate in the remainder of the process)

2. Development funding must be used on an activity that supports development objectives within the individual's Performance and Development  plan. It is the manager/supervisor's responsibility to ensure this in the first instance when they are signing off on the use of the funding. HR will then validate this. In the event that the development objective(s) is not validated, the reimbursement will not be processed and the department/faculty will be liable for the costs.

3. Development objectives should be included in the initial development plan when establishing the performance and development plan. Development objectives may be updated throughout the year as required, in agreement with their manager/supervisor.

4.  The faculty / business unit will initially pay for the development activity and record the transaction in their Development Funding register. HR will advise when reimbursements will be processed throughout the year.

5. Examples of how funding can be used include the following types of approved development activities but are not limited to:

  • Short courses
  • Conferences (including costs associated with registration, travel and accommodation)
  • Workshops
  • Training sessions
  • Seminars
  • Post graduate course fees *
  • Accredited programs and units of study

6.  Examples of how funding cannot be used include:

  • Technology/tools, ie, computers, IT devices
  • HELP related courses
  • Books/informational resources that are not directly related to any of the items listed under point 5, as above.
  • Secondments
  • Professional membership/association fees

7. If you are unsure about the use of the development funding, contact HR for further advice.

* Staff undertaking postgraduate study at Swinburne will be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate course fees.