Human Resources Unit
The University’s Academic Promotion policy HR-26 state that applications will be assessed on merit. Applicants may comment on any past discrimination.
The definition of
merit adopted by the University encompasses recognition of prior
learning and of skills gained through various experiences other than
traditional academic pursuits including family and community
responsibilities. ‘Merit’ is defined as:
The extent to which each of the applicants has abilities, aptitude
skills, qualifications, knowledge, experience (including community
experience), characteristics and personal qualities relevant to the
execution of the duties in question; and where relevant —
the manner in which each of the applicants performed the duties or functions of any position, employment or occupation previously held or engaged in by the applicant, and
the extent to which each of the applicants has potential for development
Merit and
achievement are to be assessed ‘relative to opportunity”. Staff may
include information in their application where:
Past discrimination in promotion processes may have impeded the
ability of groups such as women and some cultural groups to progress
in their chosen careers. Moreover, societal demands (for example,
parenting responsibilities) placed upon some individuals may have
also impeded their career prospects. Applicants are invited to
comment in their application if they believe that such matters are
relevant to their claims for advancement.
Applicants to which this clause particularly relates includes women,
people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with a
disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The University acknowledges that a number of factors may affect
academic career development so these factors should be brought to
the attention of the promotion committee.
Outlined below are some issues pertaining to past discrimination that applicants may wish to address in their application for promotion. Applicants are advised that if they believe this clause is relevant to their application they should show:
how their career development was affected by societal and other demands
when they gained their first degree
when they gained a higher degree and the responsibilities which prolonged this study
the significant career gaps
the length of time of family responsibilities and the range of responsibilities associated with different ages of children and aged relatives
whether academic qualifications were gained before or after children were born
the number of consultancies or publications
the availability of a doctoral qualification in certain discipline areas (for example, Nursing, Fine Arts)
a break in career due to migration or refugee status
the country where initial qualifications were obtained, which may have been different to the western academic culture requiring adaptability and flexibility
the country where publications were published
overseas qualifications not recognised in Australia
inability to access appropriate technical assistance (for people with a disability)
that particular non-traditional skills and experience have contributed to their academic development
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples working within their communities
unpaid work, which demonstrates either leadership and/or community service, for example: president of school council; financial management of a community organisation
significant community responsibilities in their ethnic community where, for example, they support more recent immigrants or become representatives and advocates of that community in Australia.
The issues above
are not meant to be exhaustive. They are intended to encourage
applicants to reflect on their career history from a perspective
which may include reference to skills and experience gained outside
of ‘traditional’ academic pursuits; and/or recognise factors that
may have interrupted the career development of applicants.
Applicants should specifically address these issues in a separate
section of their application.
HR consultants within the Human Resources Unit are available to assist applicants with their application in relation to this matter.
There may be instances where a staff member believes the clause in #3 in this appendix is relevant to their application but the reason is of a personal and private nature and not appropriate to be set out in writing. In this situation the applicant may wish to contact the Director: Human Resources prior to submitting their application.
Human Resources Unit
May 1993
Revised March 2002
Amended March 2002
Amended March 2005
Amended March 2006
Amended February 2007
Amended February 2008
