• Section 1 - Background Information
• Section 2 - Policy Statement
• Section 3 - Policy Purpose
• Section 4 - Application of Policy
• Length of the Probationary Period
• Advice of Probationary Period and Probationary Criteria
• Probation and Induction
• Probation Review Criteria
• Probationary Review Meetings
• Confirming Appointment
• Final Probation Review Meeting
• Possible Outcomes of the Probation Review
• Section 5 - Approvals
• Section 6 - Revisions Made to This Policy
• Section 7 - Further Assistance
• Section 8 - Associated Information

Section 1 - Background Information

(1) This Policy has been developed to explain the provisions for probation for Professional Staff at Australian Catholic University.

(2) The period of probation is the final stage of the Recruitment and Selection process. A probationary period is designed to establish whether there is an appropriate match between the person, the job, and the work environment. Successful probation requires the nominated supervisor to be satisfied that the staff member is able to apply, to the satisfaction of the University, the skills, competencies, experience and attributes on which the appointment decision was made.

(3) The probation process is also the first step in the introduction to the ongoing Progress Plan process for the new staff member.

Section 2 - Policy Statement

(4) Prior to confirming an appointment, a Professional Staff member, other than a casual staff member, may be required to complete a specified reasonable period of probationary employment that is directly related to the nature of the work to be carried out.

(5) A Professional Staff member cannot normally be required to serve more than one period of probation with the University; and will never be required to serve more than a maximum of six months probation.

Section 3 - Policy Purpose

(6) The purpose of this Policy is to clarify the process and procedures that relate to Professional Staff probation.

Section 4 - Application of Policy

(7) This Policy applies to all continuing and fixed term Professional Staff of the University whose employment is covered by the provisions of the ACU Staff Enterprise Agreement 2022-2025 (the Agreement), and who are required to serve a probationary period.

(8) Probationary periods do not apply where a fixed-term contract is renewed immediately after the expiry of an initial or earlier fixed-term contract in the same position or role, or where a staff member is transferred, seconded or enters into a pre-retirement contract.

Length of the Probationary Period

(9) The probationary period will normally be six months for continuing appointments. For fixed-term appointments, the probationary period will normally be six months if the length of the contract is six months or more. If the length of the fixed term contract is less than six months, the probationary period will be equivalent to the length of the contract.

Advice of Probationary Period and Probationary Criteria

(10) The probation criteria are determined by the Selection Committee and are detailed in the approval of the offer. The probationary period and probation criteria will be advised in writing to the staff member in advance of the commencement of their employment. The probationary criteria must be:

1. specified as realistic, definable, measurable goals;
2. closely aligned to the position description;^[1]
3. consistent with the classification description for the level (refer to the ACU Staff Enterprise Agreement 2022-2025);
4. consistent with the core competencies of the Capability Development Framework as identified in the position description;
5. achievable in the time frame of the probationary period; and,
6. designed to assess whether the staff member has the capacity to work productively in the University.

Probation and Induction

(11) Induction during the first six months is an important factor in the successful introduction of a new staff member to the University environment and to the development of their career in the University. The role of the nominated supervisor is critical in the induction of the new staff member.

(12) Following commencement, the supervisor shall meet with the new staff member as part of the ongoing Progress Plan conversations to discuss the position description, duties and responsibilities within the organisational context and the standard of performance and results expected in order for the staff member to meet the probationary criteria in a timely manner during the probationary period.

(13) The nominated supervisor monitors the progress of the staff member and provides advice regarding their progress. This includes the nature of any improvements which may be necessary in order for the staff member to meet the probationary criteria, and strategies for achieving the required improvements.

(14) Throughout the probationary period, the supervisor assists as appropriate, by counselling and/or coaching the staff member and by providing access to suitable training.

Probation Review Criteria

(15) The key criteria for confirming a Professional Staff member’s employment will be successful performance against all probationary criteria.

(16) It is expected that the probationary staff member will be able to demonstrate satisfactory performance in relation to the probationary criteria specified in the letter of offer; the requirements of the position description, as well as meeting the following general requirements:

1. demonstrated behaviour that is consistent with the Code of Conduct for Staff;
2. demonstrated capacity and willingness to undertake all the duties and responsibilities of the position;
3. demonstrated willingness to respond to changes in workplace requirements within the scope of the position description; and
4. demonstrated capacity to achieve work outcomes as required within the scope of the position description, and
5. evidence of demonstrated core competencies in the achievement of tasks and objectives identified in the position description.

Probationary Review Meetings

(17) During the probationary period, the nominated supervisor will hold probationary progress meetings with the staff member. At these meetings, direct and constructive feedback is to be provided to the staff member on their progress toward meeting the probationary criteria and identified core competencies. Any improvements and/or training that are necessary in order for the staff member to meet the probationary criteria and core competency requirements of the position shall be identified. As appropriate, the nominated supervisor will prepare a written report of the meeting/s which contains clear feedback and recommendations. This report is normally to be countersigned by both the probationer and the nominated supervisor.

(18) A Professional Staff member normally has their performance reviewed at the midpoint of their probationary period and again prior to the anticipated date of confirmation.

Confirming Appointment

(19) A decision to confirm the appointment may be made at any time during the probationary period. Prior to making a decision about the confirmation of a staff member’s appointment, the delegated officer will take into consideration all relevant information available regarding the staff member’s performance.

Final Probation Review Meeting

(20) If not confirmed beforehand, a confirmation review meeting will occur between the nominated supervisor and the staff member, normally at least two months before the end of the probationary period. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss whether the staff member has met the probationary criteria.

Possible Outcomes of the Probation Review

(21) Following the confirmation review meeting, the nominated supervisor recommends one of the following options:

1. Confirmation - If the staff member has satisfactorily met the probationary criteria; or,
2. Non-Confirmation - If the staff member has failed to meet the probationary criteria and/or their performance is unsatisfactory. The nominated supervisor may recommend that the appointment cease before or at the end of the specified probation period. The recommendation will include any adverse material about the staff member’s performance which has been taken into account in making the recommendation for termination. The staff member will be provided with a copy of the supervisor’s recommendation and will be given reasonable opportunity to provide a response in writing.

(22) For the purposes of this Policy, unsatisfactory performance includes behaviour of a kind described in Regulation 1.07 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) Regulations (refer to Attachment 1).

(23) The nominated supervisor will make a written recommendation regarding the confirmation or non-confirmation of the staff member’s appointment and forward it to the delegated officer for consideration and decision.

(24) Where the delegated officer has approved the recommendation for confirmation of appointment a copy of the approval is provided to the staff member by the nominated supervisor and a copy forwarded to People and Capability for updating of the employee record and placement on the staff member’s personal file.

(25) In cases where non-confirmation is recommended, the Member of the Executive will refer the matter to the relevant Member of the Senior Executive, via People and Capability, for appropriate action in accordance with the ACU Staff Enterprise Agreement 2022-2025.

Section 5 - Approvals

(26) A recommendation for confirmation of appointment must be submitted to the delegated officer. A recommendation for non-confirmation will be handled in accordance with the ACU Staff Enterprise Agreement 2022-2025. The Vice-Chancellor and President, with advice from the Chief Financial Officer or nominee considers a recommendation for non-confirmation and is authorised to terminate employment. Information on delegated officers is available in the Delegations of Authority Policy and Register.

Section 6 - Revisions Made to This Policy

(27) The revision table includes revisions up until this document was migrated into the current policy platform. Any later changes will show in the Status and Details tab. 

Section 7 - Further Assistance

(29) Any staff member who requires assistance in understanding this Policy should first consult their nominated supervisor who is responsible for the implementation and operation of these arrangements in their work area. Should further information or advice be required staff should visit Service Central.

Section 8 - Associated Information

(30) For related Legislation, Policies, Procedures and Guidelines and any supporting resources please refer to the Associated Information tab.