Human Resources

Study Leave

Public Service

Study leave with or without pay may be approved on either a full time or part time basis. Full time study leave, with pay, is generally approved only in exceptional circumstances and for the final year of a course. Part time study leave, with or without pay, is generally not approved for subjects that can be undertaken outside business hours.

Managers should consider the following factors when assessing applications:

  • whether the knowledge, skills and competencies to be gained are related to the key priorities of the Department and/or work area,
  • whether the proposed knowledge, skills and competencies can be gained by other means (for example Corporate Training Programs),
  • the operational and budgetary impact of granting such leave,
  • the progress the applicant has made in the particular course of study,
  • the level of access the applicant has to subjects outside business hours,
  • whether the applicant is seeking full or part time leave and with or without pay, and
  • whether the employee is seeking to have any study costs paid by the Department.

Details of the leave approved and ongoing review requirements should be documented and provided to the employee prior to the commencement of the study leave. An employee must satisfy his/her manager that suitable progress is being made in the course of study. Study leave may be withdrawn at any time due to lack of suitable progress, changes to corporate priorities or other circumstances affecting the work unit.

Study leave without pay is not included as service for the purposes of the accrual of personal leave, annual leave and long service leave unless otherwise approved by the Secretary.

An application for study leave should include the following details:

  • personal details
  • name and location of the educational institution, details of the course to be undertaken and course attendance times
  • evidence that the times for attendance at the course are not available outside normal working hours
  • period of leave required
  • whether leave sought is full time or part time and with or without pay
  • benefits to the Department and work unit that will result from the proposed course of study
  • progress to date in studies, if applicable.

Any breaks in the course of study (e.g. term or semester vacations) require attendance at work at the employee's normal hours of employment unless otherwise approved by the manager.

Travel time

An employee may be granted sufficient paid leave of up to seven hours per week to enable travel to and attendance of classroom activity or related project work in addition to Pre-Examination leave (see below).

Major project work

An employee completing an accredited course through the submission of major project work may be entitled to 38 hours (five days) leave per year for the purposes of finalising such project work.

Pre-Examinations

Paid leave may be granted up to a total of 38 hours (five days) per year for the purposes of preparing for examinations or completing written or practical work associated with a course of study.

Examinations and Graduation

Paid leave may be granted to an employee to attend an examination associated with a course of study and to attend a graduation or conferring ceremony when he/she has qualified for a degree or diploma from a university. The period of leave granted should take into account the time of the examination/ceremony and travel requirements.

 

Teaching Service | Public Service

Other Resources

Procedures & Forms

The following applies in relation to applying for leave:

  • Applications for leave should be submitted through Employee Self Service (ESS).  Select the following link for more information ESS eduPay
  • An application will need to be made in writing where an employee is unable to access or use ESS or wishes to amend/delete leave submitted through ESS and approved on eduPay.

 

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