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Excellence Awards Procedures

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Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) These procedures provide guidance and further explanation in relation to the University's Excellence Awards.

(2) Refer to the Excellence Awards Policy for relevant definitions.

(3) These procedures should be read in conjunction with the Excellence Awards Policy and information relating to each award category provided on the University Excellence Awards webpage.

Part A - Roles and Responsibilities

Nominator(s)

(4) The nominator’s responsibilities are to:

ensure that the proposed nominee(s) are willing to accept the nomination
complete the nomination form in the appropriate method as published on the University Excellence Awards webpage
where required, seek the support and endorsement of the nomination from the appropriate executive sponsor
if necessary, seek support and advice in preparing the submission from the nominee and others who are familiar with the nominees’ work and/or with the process of the award scheme
for group nominations, provide information regarding the membership of the nominated group
consolidate all parts of the submission, and
submit the nomination by the published deadline.

Nominee(s)

(5) The nominees’ responsibilities are to:

decide whether to accept the nomination, and
if required, provide information to the nominator in the preparation of the submission.

(6) Group nominees must have a designated group leader whose responsibilities are to:

assist the nominator in ensuring all members of the group are willing to be included in the nomination
assist the nominator in gathering acceptance from all listed group members indicating their permission to be included
following acceptance of the nomination, serve as the contact point between the Office of People and the group, and
ensure all group members are kept informed of the submission’s progress.

(7) It should be noted that in some instances the nominator and nominee may be the same person.

Office of People

(8) The Office of People’ responsibilities are to:

liaise with the Office of the Vice-Chancellor to establish the annual budget allocation to each award category
establish Vice-Chancellor Award Panels in liaison with the Vice-Chancellor and President or Vice-President, People and Advancement. Other Excellence Awards Panels are arranged by the office of the relevant Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President
announce the call for nominations
promulgate policy and nomination processes
receive and process nominations
check nominations for eligibility and distribute electronically to each of the Excellence Awards Panels
post ceremony, liaise with winners for award distribution and acquittals, and
arrange publicising of outcomes on the University Excellence Awards webpage.

Excellence Awards Panels

(9) The Excellence Awards Panel members’ responsibilities are to:

assess nominations against the specified criteria and make recommendations
make further enquiries if necessary, ensuring that enquiries are directly relevant to the award criteria and comply with privacy principles.

(10) Excellence Awards Panels have a minimum of five and a maximum of seven members, not including secretarial support.

(11) Membership of the Excellence Awards Panels is outlined in the Excellence Awards Panel Membership Schedule (available on the University Excellence Awards webpage). Where members are unavailable, the Vice-Chancellor and President or Vice-President, People and Advancement will approve substitute members. Each Awards Panel will consider nominations against the specified selection criteria and will make recommendations, justified against these criteria, to the Vice-Chancellor and President. Panel members should be broadly representative of the diversity of the University community and consider gender balance in alignment with Clause 17 of the Gender Equality Procedures and Guidelines.

Executive Sponsor

(12) The Vice-Chancellor and President, as the Executive sponsor, is responsible for:

endorsing nominations, and
approving expenditures against Award budgets in compliance with relevant University policies and procedures.

Part B - Details and Criteria for Excellence Award Categories

(13) These procedures should be read in conjunction with the application forms and associated information for each category, as these documents contain detailed information regarding specific award criteria and requirements. Links to these documents can be found on the University Excellence Awards webpage.

Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching – Teacher of the Year Award

(14) The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching – Teacher of the Year Award is the premier University teaching award and may be awarded to an individual or a group. The recipient must have an exceptional record of advancing student learning, educational leadership and scholarly contribution to learning and teaching.

(15) The Teaching Excellence Awards Panel recommends one of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Education Excellence in Teaching Award winners for the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching – Teacher of the Year Award.

(16) In assessing the winner of the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence in Teaching – Teacher of the Year Award, the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award Panel will consider:

the extent to which the claims for excellence are supported by formal and informal evaluation
the extent of creativity, imagination or innovation, irrespective of whether the approach involves traditional learning environments or technology-based developments
information contained in student data or institutional students surveys, references and selected teaching materials submitted in the nominations.

Vice-Chancellor’s Service Excellence Award

(17) This category has provision for one individual and one team winner for eligible staff. While both academic and professional staff can be nominated in this category, the majority of nominees tend to be professional staff, as there are other categories more applicable to academic staff.

(18) This Award recognises staff who have:

made a significant contribution to the effective operation of University administration, and who demonstrate a consistently outstanding level of professional service to the University's students, staff or external stakeholders, or
introduced an innovative idea, where the benefit to the University can be detailed and evidenced.

(19) A strong commitment to the University's values, especially those of equity, will also be viewed favourably.

Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Postgraduate Research Training and Supervision Award

(20) This Award recognises contributions to Higher Degree Research (HDR) students’ candidature through development, leadership and demonstrated outcomes in the arena of postgraduate research training and supervision, at the University, regional, national and/or international levels.

(21) This category has provision for one individual winner.

(22) The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International or nominee will:

direct the annual call for nominations to Deans, Directors of Research Institutes and Directors of University Research Centres
request the quantitative data for nominees on their HDR Supervision from the Graduate Research School. Such data should include the nominees’:
1. verification of current registration and qualification on the Graduate Supervisor Register, and
2. research activity, including research income, research publication points, HDR completions and overdue completions for the last five years
review the data in conjunction with the Deans and Directors of Research Institutes and Research Centres to create a shortlist of nominees

(23) Deans and Institute Directors will contact the short-listed nominees to determine if they will accept the nomination and, if they will, advise the process to be followed.

(24) If nominees accept the nomination they must:

complete the nomination form as directed in the published version on the University Excellence Awards webpage
submit their nomination with supporting documentation by the main awards deadline.

(25) The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards Panel will assess nominations against the relevant criteria, taking into account the extent to which nominees show evidence that their contributions have:

influenced research and the research culture of the University
been sustained over a period of one to three years
gained recognition from fellow staff, the institution, industry, government and/or the broader community, and
supported the intent of the Research, Enterprise and International Strategic Plan.

Vice-Chancellor’s University Engagement Award

(26) This Award highlights the importance of the University's activities in outreach and engagement. It encourages applications that demonstrate the impact of these activities on the University, community, and business.

(27) This category has provision for one individual and one team winner for staff and one individual and one team winner for students.

Vice-Chancellor’s Leadership Excellence Award

(28) This Award recognises an individual’s outstanding leadership capabilities including excellence in building and supporting diverse and inclusive teams, key aspects of personal and interpersonal skills, high ethical and professional standards, rising to challenges and the ability to work with a diverse range of people.

(29) Nominees will have demonstrated excellence in listening, linking and leading in the workplace.

(30) This category has provision for one individual winner academic and one individual winner professional.

Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Research – Researcher of the Year Award

(31) This Award is for research undertaken by an academic staff member who is considered an outstanding researcher. It acknowledges the very best research achievement at the University with demonstrable impact outcomes which extend beyond the institution.

(32) This category has provision for one individual winner.

(33) Nominees must address the following criteria for assessment, the evidence of which will be considered by the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards Panel:

Demonstrate how the research is aligned with the University Research, Enterprise and International Strategic Plan and how it aligns with University Research Themes, as outlined on the Research Theme Program webpage. There may be times when the nominee can argue that the research is outside the themes but is of relevant local, national or international significance.
Research impact – describe the impact and benefits of:
1. the research, and
2. evidence of local, national and/or international recognition.
Research rigour and quality – provide evidence of the sustained quality of the research and academic performance of the individual involved.
Demonstrate evidence of leadership – provide evidence of how leadership has improved research culture or built relationships internal and external to the University.
Demonstrate evidence of mentorship – provide evidence of mentorship activities and provide a one-page statement from a staff member to whom you provided mentorship within the last five years.

Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Research – Early Career Researcher Award

(34) This Award recognises the outstanding research undertaken by an early career researcher.

(35) This category has provision for one individual winner.

(36) Nominees must address the following criteria for assessment, the evidence of which will be considered by the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards Panel:

Demonstrate how the research is aligned with the University's current Research Enterprise and International Plan and the University Research Themes. There may be times when the nominee can argue that the research is outside the themes but is of relevant local, national or international significance.
Research excellence – provide evidence of the quality of the research, including evidence that the research has been peer-reviewed and cited.
Network building – demonstrate evidence of building peer and external collaboration networks, as well as evidence of community outreach as it relates to your research discipline.
Potential impacts – outline the impact, or potential impact, and benefits of the research.

Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence in Sustainability Impact Award

(37) This Award recognises University staff and students, either individually or as a team, who can demonstrate significant sustainability impact within the preceding three years. Sustainability impact is a significant sustainability-related contribution that advances one or more of the Nine Priority Statements outlined as part of the University's Sustainability and Resilience Decadal Strategy 2030 (SRDS) (available on the Sustainability Education Decadal Strategy webpage).

(38) This category makes provision for one winner, either an individual or team. Community and industry partners collaborating with the winner will be acknowledged in the Award and may be included in the nomination.

(39) Nominees must address the following criteria for assessment:

Describe the initiative or project, its activities and outcomes, and evidence the sustainability impact the initiative has generated in terms of economic, societal, cultural and environmental outcomes.
Demonstrate alignment to the University's SRDS Nine Priority Statements and nominate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the relevant SRDS related SDG target/s that support these Statements.
Provide evidence of an approved submission on their initiative published on the University's SRDS Digital Engagement platform in the preceding year.
Provide sources/referee statements to corroborate the initiative’s sustainability impact.

(40) In assessing nominations, the Excellence in Sustainability Impact Award Panel will take into account the extent to which a nomination shows evidence that the nominee’s contribution has:

created sustainability impact in one or more of the Nine Priority Statements, with supporting evidence that the initiative exceeds normal performance expectations as well as considers potential scalability and opportunity for replication across the sector
shown exemplary innovation, creativity and imagination in enacting the University's SRDS Nine Priority Statements (as outlined on the Sustainability Education Decadal Strategy webpage)
demonstrated collegiality and adopted collaborative approaches
raised the external profile of sustainability at the University and gained recognition from colleagues, the institution, and/or the broader community and industry.

The College Award for Excellence

(41) This Award recognises a demonstrable commitment to continuous improvement by either an individual, project team or business unit team.

(42) This category has provision for one individual or one team winner.

(43) Nominees must address the following criteria to demonstrate outcomes above and beyond their normal operational responsibilities. Their:

commitment to continuous improvement within their role at The College
contribution to College-wide (or business unit) initiatives/KPIs
contribution to positive student outcomes
demonstrated accountability, communication and collaboration in the fulfilment of their role
demonstrated high ethical and professional standards and behaviour.

(44) The types of initiatives which might warrant nomination include:

excellence and innovation in design and/or delivery of teaching
implementation of new initiatives such as a new diploma
relocation or refurbishment project
student support initiative
strategic intervention, innovation and outcomes
novel approaches within a benchmarking project
streamlining procedures (with marked cost/productivity benefits).

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International – Excellence in Research Impact Award

(45) This Award recognises an individual researcher or team of researchers, whose research has achieved considerable impact outside the academic community in the preceding five years. The definition of impact for this Award includes the demonstrable contribution that research makes to the economy, society, culture, national security, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life, beyond contributions to academia.

(46) This category has provision for one individual and one group winner.

(47) Nominees must address the following criteria for assessment:

Evidence of research translation or potential for research translation leading to impact.
Evidence of the impact that this research has created, or has the potential to create, and an end user benefit in terms of economic, societal, and environmental outcomes.
Demonstrated alignment to the University Research Themes (as outlined on the Research Theme Program webpage), Research, Enterprise and International Strategic Plan and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There may be times when the nominee can argue that the research is outside these foci but is of relevant local, national or international significance.
Underpinning research — provide details about the underlying research that has generated this impact. Where applicable, describe how the plan for research impact was developed, who has benefitted from the research, and how it reached the end user.
Sources to corroborate the impact — list sources that will provide evidence of the research impact.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International – Research Excellence through Industry Collaboration or Partnership Award

(48) This Award recognises an individual or team who have developed and sustained a research partnership and/or collaboration that has resulted in the delivery of significant outcomes for the University. This Award recognises the importance University research staff play in initiating, developing and enhancing partnerships with industry, business, government and the regional community.

(49) This category has provision for an individual and one group winner.

(50) Nominee/s will be considered for overall track record in the area of Industry Collaboration or Partnership, relative to opportunity, and performance of the nominee as indicated by but not limited to:

the extent to which the nominees played an active role in the initiation, development, enhancement or management of the research partnership or collaboration
provision of evidence of the benefits for both the partnership organisation and the University. The nomination should provide a supporting document, not exceeding two pages, from an external partner describing the outcomes and benefits of the partnership
benefits and value that the partnership and the project itself bring to the University as a whole (including but not limited to research funding, shared expertise, access to government funding, publications, enhanced reputation, the development of intellectual property, and student scholarships)
provision of evidence from the partnership including publications, external research funding (including industry scholarships) and supervision of HDR candidates
strategies that enhance and develop the partnership
likelihood that the partnership or impact will build beyond the current project.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International – Excellence in Research Leadership and Development Award

(51) This Award recognises and encourages an individual researcher who is on a path to becoming a research leader. The nominee is likely to be a mid-career researcher (approximately 5-15 years post PhD) who displays evidence of being a research leader and champion of research development.

(52) This Award has the provision for one individual winner.

(53) Nominee will be considered for overall track record in Research Leadership and Development, relative to opportunity, and performance of the nominee as indicated by but not limited to:

a research ambition achieved
teamwork, mentoring and training of peers, early career researchers and research degree students including the integration of younger researchers into the wider research community, and the University
how the nominee has implemented innovative skills development programs and supported broader programs for researcher development outside their immediate unit
the nominee’s contributions to the development and strengthening of institutional and local Early Career Researcher (ECR) strategy and policy
evidence of excellence in relation to the nominated research. This may include information related to measures of esteem, honours and award/prizes, and any other evaluations of the research, which are appropriate to demonstrating excellence
demonstrate evidence of impact and engagement outside the University as it relates to this research. Research impact is the contribution that research makes to the economy, society, environment, or culture, beyond the contribution to academic research
the nominee’s capacity for building peer networks and external collaborations
excellence in their field. The nominator should reinforce this assessment of non-traditional research outputs.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International – Excellence in Research Management Award

(54) This Award recognises outstanding contributions or initiatives in professional staff support services that have boosted research capability and/or development at either a School/Institute, Strategic Research Initiative (SRI), Divisional or University level. This Award is open to individuals or teams of professional staff (including Research Assistants) across the University who support research excellence.

(55) This Award has the provision for one individual winner.

(56) The Nominee will be considered for performance of the nominee as indicated by but not limited to:

demonstrated leadership within their team, or individually within the research project/portfolio or across the University research community
ingenuity in developing a researcher development initiative and/or research capability at the University
provision of evidence that the quality of work/output or service contributed by the nominee/team has exceeded the duties of the position and has led to successful outcomes for an associated research program or team
demonstration of a significant and sustained effort to improve systems and enhance support
provision of evidence that demonstrates the ability to build and maintain productive collaborative relationships and research networks across the University
demonstrated strength of the partnership and evidence of teamwork.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International – Excellence in Indigenous Research Award

(57) This Award is for research undertaken by an academic staff member/s that demonstrates a significant contribution to the University's Indigenous Strategy and broader Indigenous Australian society. Nominees do not have to identify as Indigenous Australian themselves.

(58) This category has provision for one individual or one group winner.

(59) Nominees must address the following criteria for assessment:

Demonstrate how the research is aligned with the University Research, Enterprise and International Strategic Plan and how it aligns with at least one of the University Research Themes (refer to the Research Theme Program webpage).
Demonstrate how the research contributes to the University's Indigenous Strategy and broader Indigenous Australian society.
Research excellence – provide evidence of the quality of the research, including evidence that the research has been peer-reviewed and cited.
Research rigour and quality – provide evidence of the sustained quality of the research and academic performance of the individual involved.
Evidence potential impacts – outline the impact, or potential impact, and benefits of the research to Indigenous people and/or communities.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and International – Excellence in Internationalisation Award

(60) This Award recognises staff who have:

made a significant contribution to international partnerships which advance the University's reputation in the world through capacity building, globalised curriculum development or delivery or innovative modes of engagement, or
made a significant contribution to co-curricular activities that contribute substantially to global education and international programs, or
introduced a novel initiative promoting cultural competency among students and/or staff, resulting in an outstanding level of professional service, or
introduced a novel initiative promoting community-building locally or abroad with students and staff, providing support and benefit to the University and community partners.

(61) This category has provision for one individual winner or one group winner.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Education – Excellence in Teaching Awards

(62) The selection criteria for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Education – Excellence in Teaching Awards aligns with those specified by the Australian Government’s Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).

(63) Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Education – Excellence in Teaching Awards may be awarded in the following four focus areas:

Excellence in Teaching
Excellence in Teaching – Partnerships
Excellence in Teaching – Education for Sustainability
Excellence in Teaching – Early Career Academic.

(64) There is provision to award a total of four individual or team winners in this category. Where an award is not provided for a particular focus area, the award may be provided to an alternate focus area.

(65) Nominees must address the following four criteria:

Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
Developing curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
Effective assessment practices that bring about improvements in student learning, may have a focus on academic integrity or digital solutions, or any assessment strategies that bring about change.
Innovation or, leadership or scholarship that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience.

(66) In assessing nominations, the Learning and Teaching Excellence Awards Panel will take into account the extent to which it shows evidence that the nominee’s contribution has:

positively impacted on student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience for a period of no less than three years
gained recognition from colleagues, the institution, and/or the boarder community
shown creativity, imagination and/or innovation, and
drawn on the scholarly literature on teaching and learning to inform the development of initiatives, programs and/or practices.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Education – Excellence in Indigenous Teaching Award

(67) This award category is open to eligible ongoing and sessional teaching staff at both an individual and team level. Nominees do not have to identify as Indigenous Australian themselves.

(68) This category has provision for one individual or one group winner.

(69) Nominees must address the following four criteria:

Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
Developing curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of the field.
Effective assessment practices that bring about improvements in student learning, may have a focus on academic integrity or digital solutions, or any assessment strategies that bring about change.
Innovation or, leadership or scholarship that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience.

(70) In assessing nominations, the Learning and Teaching Excellence Awards Panel will take into account the extent to which it shows evidence that the nominee’s contribution has:

positively impacted on student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience, that has resulted in students developing a better understanding about Indigenous Australia, for a period of no less than two years
gained recognition from colleagues, the institution, and/or the broader community, including Indigenous communities and Elders where relevant
shown creativity, imagination and/or innovation that reflect Indigenous Knowledges or perspectives
drawn on the scholarly literature on teaching and learning, including Indigenous teaching and learning to inform the development of initiatives, programs and/or practice.

(71) Nominees for a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning may apply for a Citation with an Indigenous focus (“Indigenous-focused Citation”).

(72) A nominee for an Indigenous-focused Citation must adhere to all the rules laid out for a Citation. The assessment criteria used by the Panel will be the same used for the Indigenous Excellence Award.

(73) The Panel may award up to one Citation for an Indigenous-focused Citation.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Education – Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning Award

(74) The selection criteria for the Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning Award aligns with those specified by the Australian Government’s Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).

(75) There is provision to award a total of eight individual or team citations within this category. Two of the eight awards will be targeted for sessional staff.

(76) Nominees for the Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Award are invited to select one of the following criteria for assessment, as appropriate for the particular contribution:

Approaches to teaching and/or the support of learning that influence, motivate and inspire students to learn.
Development of curricula, resources or services that reflect a command of this field.
Effective assessment practices that bring about improvements in student learning, may have a focus on academic integrity or digital solutions, or any assessment strategies that bring about change.
Innovation, or leadership that has influenced and enhanced learning and teaching and/or the student experience.

(77) The Learning and Teaching Excellence Awards Panel will consider each nomination on the extent to which it shows evidence that the nominee’s contribution has:

positively impacted on student learning, student engagement or the overall student experience for a period of no less than three years
gained recognition from colleagues, the institution, and/or the broader community
shown creativity, imagination and/or innovation
drawn on the scholarly literature on teaching and learning to inform the development of initiatives, programs and/or practice.

(78) Nominees may apply for a Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Education - Excellence in Teaching Award, including the Excellence in Indigenous Teaching Award, or a Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Award but not both levels of awards in the same year.

Part C - Nomination Process

(79) Unless a variation is detailed under the specific award heading, the following clauses regarding nominations will apply.

(80) There will be a call for nominations each year.

(81) Nominators are encouraged to begin preparing the submission as early as possible, and to seek feedback from colleagues and/or staff in support units of the University.

(82) Documentary evidence is necessary to support nominations, as outlined in the relevant award application or nomination form. Generally, documentary evidence is required to be current (one to three years, although submissions may include brief background material from longer than three years ago to contextualise achievements).

(83) The following are examples of supporting evidence:

Benchmarking services against external providers of similar services (for example, in other universities).
Additional letters of support.
Testimonials.
Short curriculum vitae.
Client satisfaction surveys.
Feedback from student cohorts or other recipients of initiatives support claims of positive outcomes, gathered from whole cohort or group (rather than selected individual testimonial) through formal surveys, focus groups, interviews, etc.
Outcomes of student learning, for example, grades, examiners’ reports, etc.
Comparison of experience, results, etc. between pre-intervention and post-intervention.
Improvements in achieving key performance indicators, for example, retention and progression rates of students.
Peer review feedback on processes developed or documentary materials produced.
Evidence of uptake by others of the nominees’ initiatives.
Public recognition of excellence, for example prizes and awards received, referenced conference presentations and publications both nationally and internationally, features in broadcast media.

(84) Other supporting documentary evidence of positive outcomes are:

individual testimonials from students, staff, community members, etc
evidence of targeted mentoring and leadership of others, for example through providing development and networking opportunities to others relevant to the area
documentary materials produced as part of an initiative
invitations to disseminate outcomes of initiatives to colleagues within or beyond the initiating individual or team.

(85) Submissions must be lodged in accordance with published requirements and by the published closing dates.

Part D - Award Prizes

(86) Awards may be made each year for each award category to an individual and/or team, as winner or highly commended. However, an award might not be given in each category or at both levels each year.

(87) Highly commended recipients will receive a certificate.

(88) The total allocation of funds for Excellence Awards and their distribution across the Award categories will be determined on an annual basis by the Vice-Chancellor and President. These allocations are detailed in the Excellence Awards Allocation Schedule (available on the University Excellence Awards webpage).

Part E - Expenditure and Acquittal

(89) Award funds are to be spent within the next calendar year following receipt of the award at the University's annual Excellence Awards Ceremony. Under certain circumstances, where there is reasonable justification, recipients may formally request in writing for an extension for a specified period in which funds may be spent. Requests should be sent to the Chief People Officer who will seek approval from the Vice-Chancellor and President.

(90) Award funds can be expended as follows:

to further development of the initiative(s) for which the Award has been conferred
to further professional development of the staff recipient/s
as a cash payment, paid through payroll after tax (e.g., the cash payment will be taxed)
as a contribution to superannuation
donated towards a University Community Scholarship or the University's Student Assistance Fund. (Refer to the Giving to Western website for more information).

(91) In the case of group awards, all members must unanimously agree to an equal allocation to each group member when requesting expenditure as a cash payment or superannuation contribution.

(92) Examples of alternative expenditure to the receipt of a cash award include:

further professional development of individuals, for example:
1. costs (for example travel, accommodation, registration fees) associated with attendance at a conference or other professional gathering
2. costs of attendance at training and development programs (for example residential organisational development and leadership programs)
3. attendance at external workshops or seminars not usually conducted by units within the University and that are relevant to the needs of the University
contribution towards the purchase of equipment, including texts and electronic equipment useful to the completion of their professional studies
costs associated with visits to industrial, professional or educational establishments
further development or project initiatives acknowledged by the Award, for example:
1. minor equipment or other materials related to project initiative(s)
2. funds towards the employment of casual staff to undertake specific project development work.

(93) Equipment or other materials purchased from the Award remain the property of the University.