• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Eligibility
• Section 2 - Policy principles
• Section 3 - Policy
• Conflicts of interest and confidentiality
• Assessment of applications
• Authority and Compliance

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) The rationale for academic promotion at the University of New England is to strengthen and develop the University's academic staff profile, as part of its commitment to enhancing a culture that values and recognises high performance.

(2) The purpose of this Policy is to provide high level information about academic promotion, based upon the evaluation of meritorious performance that will lead to a realisation of the University's goals and mission (as outlined within the UNE Strategic Plan). The key features informing academic promotion at UNE, and the UNE Position Classification Standards utilised as the evaluative tool to assess performance, are located at Section 41 and Schedules E and F of the UNE Academic and English Language Teaching Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-2026 (the Academic Enterprise Agreement).

Eligibility

(3) Academic staff (Levels A-E) who hold full-time or fractional, continuing or fixed-term appointments of more than twelve (12) months duration are eligible for promotion.

(4) The following categories of staff may apply for promotion as an exception to the Policy but their application will not be considered eligible unless there are special circumstances. An application made on the grounds of special circumstances by the following categories of staff will be considered by the Chair of the Academic Promotions Committee or their nominee who will at their sole discretion decide whether the application may proceed:

1. Staff who have been at their current level for less than twelve (12) months prior to the closing date for applications of the promotion round; or
2. Staff who are on a period of leave without pay in excess of twelve (12) months at the time of the commencement of the promotions round; or
3. Staff who applied successfully for promotion in the last round; or
4. Staff who have been unsuccessful in their application for promotion for two consecutive years. Exceptions to this requirement must also have support from the staff member's Head of School outlining their special circumstances.

(5) While Level A staff may apply for promotion, the following provisions apply:

1. a Level A staff member will be appointed to a minimum of Level A+7 upon proven attainment of a relevant doctoral qualification; and
2. a Level A staff member who has been at Level A+7 for twelve months and has demonstrated satisfactory performance will automatically progress to Level B (base).

Section 2 - Policy principles

(6) Academic promotion is based upon merit. The Academic Promotions Committee will consider the candidate’s career as a whole, but will expect to see meritorious achievements and service undertaken since a candidate's appointment to their current level or position, or latest promotion at UNE. Achievements and service will be considered in light of performance relative to opportunity.

Section 3 - Policy

(7) The annual academic promotions process is managed in accordance with the Academic Promotion Procedures.

Conflicts of interest and confidentiality

(8) Actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest between those involved in the promotions process, must be disclosed. The management of any potential conflicts of interest is to be in accordance with the UNE Conflicts of Interest Policy.

(9) Candidates must not consult or discuss their application with Academic Promotions Committee members (published on the Academic Promotions website) and if applying for Level D or E, with any person identified on their list of potential assessors, once it has been submitted to the Head of School. 

(10) Applications and the Committee's deliberations relating to each candidate’s application will be considered in confidence by all people involved in the promotions process. Discussion relating to the applications, recommendations or deliberations is to be restricted to the Committee meeting.

Assessment of applications

(11) The evaluation of applications for promotion is undertaken on an annual basis by members of the Academic Promotions Committee (the Committee) whose membership is informed by Section 43.4 of the UNE Academic and English Language Teaching Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-2026. Additional information about the Committee process is available in the Academic Promotion Committee Guidelines.

(12) The Committee applies the principle of equal opportunity and performance relative to opportunity to all staff seeking promotion. 

(13) Evidence of a staff member's performance, as outlined within their application, will be assessed against the UNE Position Classification Standards — Academic Staff (at Schedules E and F of the Academic Enterprise Agreement). The Committee will assess:

1. evidence of the candidate's capacity to perform at the level to which they are seeking promotion; and
2. evidence of a performance trajectory that would warrant advancement to the next level.

(14) The Committee considers performance against each of the three criterion – teaching, research and service and administration – in accordance with weightings that reflect the candidate’s agreed workload profile, however, the candidate's overall performance is assessed for the recommendation around promotion.

(15) An application for promotion will be recommended to the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer for approval if two-thirds (2/3) of the Committee members support the promotion.

(16) A successful application for promotion does not constitute an extension of employment in circumstances where the staff member's employment is not continuing.

(17) All candidates will be advised in writing of the outcome of their application.

(18) Feedback for unsuccessful candidates will be discussed by the Committee and formally approved by the Chair before being provided in writing to the candidate.

(19) Appeals against a promotion decision may be lodged in accordance with Academic Promotion Appeals Procedure.

Authority and Compliance

(20) The Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, makes this Policy pursuant to the University Rule.

(21) UNE Representatives must observe this Policy in relation to University matters.

(22) The Policy Administrator, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, is authorised to make procedures and associated information for the operation of this Policy. 

(23) This Policy operates from the Effective Date.

(24) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Policy, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer may approve an exception to this Policy where the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer determines the application of the Policy would otherwise lead to an unfair, unreasonable or absurd outcome. Approvals by the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer under this clause must:

1. be documented in writing,
2. state the reason for the exception, and
3. be recorded in the University’s Records Management System.

(25) Where there is any unresolved interpretation of this Policy in relation to the provisions of the UNE Academic and English Language Teaching Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-2026, the provisions of the UNE Academic and English Language Teaching Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-2026 take precedence.