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Information for Casual Academic Employees

casual academicThe following information applies specifically to casual academic employees @ SCU:

Your Contract

You should not commence work until you have signed a 'Contract of Employment for Casual Staff'. Your contract will specify:

  • Your start and end dates;
  • Your duties;
  • The maximum number of hours that may be worked;
  • The rate of pay for each classification of duty required;
  • A statement that any additional duties required by the Head of Work Unit during the term will be paid for; and
  • Other main conditions of employment including the reporting relationships that will apply.

You will also receive a Fair Work Australia Information Statement with your contract.

Your Appointment

Casual academic employees are employed on an hourly basis. While your casual contract indicates a maximum number of hours, the actual hours you work may vary in accordance with the needs of your work unit.

The hourly rate of pay shown on your contract includes a loading in lieu of benefits not provided to casual employees, including all leave entitlements and payment for public holidays.

Your Employment Conditions

The terms and conditions of your employment determined by your contract and the University's current Enterprise Agreement (SCU Enterprise Agreement).

The SCU Enterprise Agreement is a collective agreement which was negotiated with staff unions, accepted by university employees and approved by Fair Work Australia.

HR Services also has a number of policies and procedures which are used in conjunction with the Enterprise Agreement which may affect your employment.

Superannuation

You are not required to contribute to a superannuation fund but the University is required to pay superannuation if you meet one of the following thresholds:

  • The Superannuation Guarantee threshold of $450 per month; or
  • UniSuper Award threshold for Academic staff.

You need to complete the application form in the UniSuper booklet provided to you. The application form will be forwarded to UniSuper, our approved superannuation fund, when you meet one of these thresholds. Unfortunately, you cannot choose your own superannuation fund.

You have the option to salary sacrifice voluntary contributions into UniSuper if you wish. Further information is available from our Salary Sacrificing webpage. You can also contact UniSuper to discuss this option.

The University strongly recommends that you seek independent financial advice from a qualified adviser, tax agent, accountant or financial planner if you are considering salary sacrificing.

Qualifications

On your first day you are required to provide evidence of the qualifications listed in your application or CV. Please present the originals of your testamurs, transcripts and certificates to your work unit's Admin Officer or your Supervisor, together with a completed Employee Qualifications form. After the originals have been sighted, copies will be taken and referred to HR Services for placement on your personnel file.

If you are awarded academic or professional qualifications during your employment at SCU, you will need to present the original testamur, transcript or certificate and a completed Employee Qualifications form to your work unit's Admin Officer or your Supervisor before your records are updated.

If your name now differs from that recorded on the documents you provide, you will need to provide documentary proof of your change of name (such as a marriage certificate or statutory declaration).

Getting Paid

Completing the forms and providing the documents listed in Module 1 of the Corporate SCU Induction initiates the processes required for you to be paid.

When HR Services has received this information, and a copy of your signed contract, we will be able to activate your employment record.

You will be paid in accordance with your contract for the work you have performed and must complete a pay claim each fortnight. Please check with the Admin Officer in your work unit for information on how to lodge your claim and specific deadlines that may apply when submitting your claim for approval.

Provided your claim is received by the payroll office before the payroll deadlines on the Casual Pay Claim Schedule you will receive payment on the next payday. Payment is made fortnightly, on a Thursday, by direct deposit into a bank, credit union or building society account.

Getting Connected

The University has a range of electronic and website systems that you will need to access as part of your employment. When your signed contract and the forms and documents you completed as part of Module 1 of the Corporate SCU induction are received by HR Services, your employment record will be activated, enabling you to access these systems (there is usually at least a 24 hour delay between the contract being activated and your system access being established).

Instructions for logging on to individual systems are contained in Technology Services Information for New Staff.

Staying Informed

There are several ways for you to access information about developments and activities within the University community:

  • News, Events and Publications: are advertised on the Communications and Publications website and the University's event calendar;
  • Community Engagement: details of how SCU engages in positive and sustainable relationships with its communities can be found on the Community Engagement website;
  • VC's newsletter: all employees are informed of the main events and developments occurring within the University community by the Vice Chancellor's weekly emailed newsletter. Newsletters can also be accessed from the Vice Chancellor's website;
  • Group emails: group emails are a common way for important information to be distributed within the University. Group emails may exist within individual work units, campuses, groups of employees in addition to all staff emails.

With the exception of group emails, the above resources are all available on the SCU website. Your supervisor or work unit's Admin Officer may also be able to help if you are unable to source the information you require.

Staff Photo ID Card / Building Access

In your first week, you will need to obtain a Staff ID Card. This card should be carried with you at all times while on any University campus. It is also used to gain library borrowing rights and approved after hours access to University Buildings.

You will need to complete a Photo ID Card Request form and follow the instructions on the form.

If room keys are needed, or after hours access to University Buildings is necessary as part of your duties, you will need to complete the appropriate Key and Access Request form and obtain the appropriate authorisation.

Using MyHR

MyHR is the employee self-service module of Aurion, the University's Human Resource Information System (HRIS).

When your MyHR access is established, your logon details will be emailed to you. After receiving these login details, you will be able to access your HR and Payroll information over the Internet using links to MyHR on the intranet (MySCU) or the HR website.

MyHR enables you to:

  • View and modify your name and address information and emergency contact details;
  • View and print your fortnightly pay advices;
  • Manage your bank accounts and deductions;
  • View your qualifications and employment details; and
  • Apply to attend professional learning programs.

Step by step instructions and videos on using MyHR are available on the Blackboard workgroup HR-TRAINING: MyHR Online Help.

If these resources do not answer your queries, further assistance is available by contacting the Technology Support - Service Desk.

Travel on University Business

If you are required to travel on University Business, your travel arrangements must be in accordance with the University's Travel and Entertainment Policy and Procedures. Before you arrange any travel, you will be required to complete an Individual Traveller's Profile.

The Travel webpage on the Financial and Business Services website will provide you with the information you require and forms and records you need to complete.

Teaching @ SCU

The University's Division of Teaching and Learning offers workshops for new academic teachers to enhance their skills and confidence and provides online resources. Details of the assistance the Division provides can be obtained from the website or by emailing DTL@scu.edu.au.

If you will have contact with International Students, you will need to understand your statutory responsibilities for International Students. Further information can be obtained from a briefing paper on the International Office website.

Academic Professional Learning

In addition to the specific learning opportunities provided by the Division of Teaching and Learning, a range of professional learning opportunities are available to employees through the Professional Learning Calendar.

The focus of the Calendar is to give everyone the opportunity to access timely learning programs, support materials and collegial networks as their learning needs emerge, regardless of campus location.

The Calendar is also a focal point for professional learning provided by:

  • Digital Resources Centre;
  • Equity and Diversity;
  • Library;
  • Office of Planning, Quality & Review;
  • Research Training Unit;
  • Technology Services; and
  • Workplace Health and Safety.

Discuss your needs with your supervisor and contact Organisation Development if you require additional information:

E: od@scu.edu.au
T: +61 2 6620 3953.

Surveillance Activities

As part of your contract of employment you were advised of the location of surveillance cameras on University Campuses. The University also monitors:

  • Swipe card access to buildings or secure parts of the University. Details are recorded as part of the University's central security system;
  • Internet traffic as part the Internet Accounting Service. Monitoring includes usage statistics and site tracking; and
  • Telephone call destinations. These are itemised and used for billing purposes within the University.

Union Membership

University employees are supported by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU).

Useful Links

Acronyms @ SCU [pdf]
Academic Salary Rates [pdf]
Casual Academic Staff: A Quick Guide
Code of Conduct
Copyright for New Employees
Delegations
HR Policies and Procedures
Technology Services Information for New Staff [pdf]
Library Orientation for New Employees [pdf]
MyHR Online Help
Staff Directory
Staff Telephone Directory
Professional Learning Framework

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Updated: 20 May 2013