Induction Partner/Buddy

Induction Partners are nominated by your Supervisor or Head of Work Unit. If you are nominated, you are undertaking an important role and have an opportunity to help your new team member find their way and settle into University life.​

Before the new team member starts, you may be nominated to complete aspects of the New staff onboarding checklist on behalf of your Supervisor. This may include requesting a laptop from Technology Services and requesting system access, drafting up a template training plan, and ensuring their work space is ready for their first day. ​

We highly recommend scheduling a team morning tea or lunch to assist your new team member to settle in and feel welcome.​ Check out the Catering page for preferred vendors.

Your new starter's first day is key to a positive, lasting impression of our organisation.

Welcoming a new team member is more than just showing them around—it's about helping them feel connected, confident, and supported from day one. As an Induction Partner or Buddy, your role is to be a friendly face, a go-to guide, and a bridge into our culture.

On day 1, you may be nominated to meet with the new starter upon their arrival.​

Upon greeting them, show them to the team’s workspace and their desk. Introduce key team members or stakeholders, including their Supervisor if their Supervisor is unable to meet them upon their arrival.​ Schedule a casual coffee or chat to introduce yourself and share your own onboarding experience.

Explain the induction process and provide the employee with their New staff onboarding checklist.

If the Supervisor hasn't done so, walk them through key areas - including the employee's immediate work area, help them obtain their Staff ID card and parking permit, relevant offices, lecture theatres, computer laboratories, staff rooms, toilets and other immediate work area facilities. Direct them to the Locations and maps page so they feel comfortable finding their way around.

During week 1, the new starter will be introduced to all key stakeholders in meet and greets, and be introduced to the team’s ways of working. Ensure the New staff onboarding checklist is followed and updated as activities and tasks are ticked off. The new starter should be added to all team meeting cadences, MS Teams Channels, and shared systems during this period. ​

Provide a list of key contacts relevant to your area and key information available on the website. ​The Induction for new employees page should also help guide the new starter through their first week.

Check in with them daily - a quick message of drop-by to see how they're settling in can make a big difference! 

Try to be available to answer questions, clarify acronyms or other University language, systems or unwritten norms. Offer practical advice, like how to book meeting rooms, order stationery or even upcoming campus activities. Encourage their participation by inviting them to join team chats, informal catch ups or social events. 

It's not about having all the answers. It's about the new starter having someone approachable and helping them feel like they belong.

Handy links

• Acronyms @ Southern Cross University
• Ergonomic self assessment checklist
• Technology Services information for new staff
• Financial Services (including Payroll)
• Pay, conditions & benefits
• Health and wellness
• Who are my HR contacts?
• Campus Security
• Workplace health and safety
• Casual pay schedule
• Non-casual pay schedule
• Casual academic centre
• Contact information for casual academic staff - proforma

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Month 1 will provide your new starter with the foundational knowledge about our organisation, their team and how their role contributes to the University’s purpose. Your role as Induction Partner or Buddy evolves from initial guide to ongoing support. The goal is to help the new starter feel part of the team, understand how things work, and build confidence in their role. 

A timely reminder, they are to complete all mandatory training in Scout by the end of Month 1.

Schedule weekly check-ins to see how they're going. Even a 5 minute chat can really help! Help them navigate systems, platforms and processes, especially those that aren't intuitive. 

Help them meet people outside their immediate team, especially those they'll collaborate with and offer a safe space to talk through any challenges or uncertainties. 

The Induction Partner/Buddy role should feel informal and supportive, not like a checklist. Stay connected, stay supportive, and keep the door open as your relationship naturally shifts from guide to peer.