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The principal objective of Professional Development Leave (PDL) is to enhance and develop a professional employee's professional knowledge, skills and abilities aligned with University and relevant Faculty/Section strategic goals and objectives. PDL aims to enhance an employee's career development beyond what would normally be possible in performing their substantive duties.
Managers and Supervisors should consider utilising Professional Development Leave to identify, reward and recognise exceptional employee performance. Opportunities to undertake PDL should be discussed as part of an employee's annual performance review.
All continuing and fixed term professional employees will be eligible to apply for an initial period of PDL which can be taken after a minimum qualifying period of three (3) years continuous employment (excluding casual appointments). A minimum period of three (3) years will normally intervene between periods of PDL. The maximum period of PDL will be six (6) months and the minimum period three (3) months, however absences of more than two weeks to attend conferences shall be regarded as being within the University's PDL.
The University will provide a contribution towards an employee's PDL program, but such financial assistance is not expected to cover all the costs incurred. Employees participating in an approved PDL program will normally continue to be paid at their current FTE, classification level and step. Alternatively, the relevant delegate may elect to approve PDL on half-pay or leave without pay depending on the benefits the University will derive from the programme and the resources available.
Applications are required one year in advance of the anticipated period of PDL and applications are to be made on the appropriate form Application to Undertake Professional Development Leave.
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