View Current

Charge-out of Expenditure Policy

This is the current version of this document. To view historic versions, click the link in the document's navigation bar.

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) The University needs to have in place a consistent approach regarding the levying of externally generated costs between internal University units (including related entities). This policy specifies the basis and application of such charges.

Top of Page

Section 2 - Definitions

(2) For the purpose of this policy:

  1. Charge-out - is the process whereby all areas of the University are able to pass on externally generated costs (including additional staff costs i.e. casuals and overtime) which meet all the following criteria:
    1. do not constitute core funded services;
    2. are actual verifiable costs; and
    3. have been agreed to by the requesting unit.
Top of Page

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(3) The process of Charge-out of Expenditure adopted by the University promotes equitable cost distribution of external costs incurred throughout the University. Further, there is a need to ensure that providers of services are accountable to users via a charge/servicing relationship.

(4) Charge-out of Expenditure applies to the actual cost recovery of identifiable goods and services. The University will not apply the Charge-out of Expenditure philosophy in respect of core infrastructure services.

Top of Page

Section 4 - Procedures

Approval

(5) Charge-out of Expenditure may only be applied if approved by the Vice-President, Finance and Digital Services for inclusion in the Schedule of Charge-outs attached to this policy. That Schedule is updated on an annual basis.

(6) This is the only mechanism by which units are able to charge other University units for goods and services.

Determination of Level of Charge-out Fees

(7) Charge-out of Expenditure will wherever practically possible be cost based. Due to their complexity some services will be Charged-out on a formula or 'averaged rate' basis in terms of the calculation of the cost.

(8) By way of example, telephone calls will be Charged-out on the basis of the actual cost of the call as charged by the provider. However, the cost of the installation and maintenance of the handset, line and additional services such as voicemail will be Charged-out on the basis of an annually determined average rate designed to recover all costs associated with provision of telephone services (e.g. PABX costs, operators, line rentals, handset costs, voicemail access etc).

Top of Page

Section 5 - Guidelines

(9) Refer to Charge-Out Schedule.