• Section 1 - Background Information
• Section 2 - Policy Statement
• Section 3 - Policy Purpose
• Section 4 - Application of Policy
• Section 5 - Eligibility
• Section 6 - Entitlement
• Section 7 - Responsibilities
• Staff Member
• Supervisor
• Section 8 - Approvals
• Section 9 - Revisions made to this Policy
• Section 10 - Further Assistance
• Section 11 - Associated Information

Section 1 - Background Information

(1) The Australian Government’s Living Organ Donors Program (the Program) is currently managed by the Department of Health and Aged Care and provides payment to employers to support staff members who intend to donate either a kidney or a partial liver.

(2) This Policy has been developed to support the provision of living organ donors leave for staff of the University.

Section 2 - Policy Statement

(3) ACU participates in the Program by providing leave to eligible staff members who intend to donate either a kidney or a partial liver. Participation in the Program is aligned with the Mission and values of the University specifically with regard to the commitment to the dignity of the human person and the common good.

Section 3 - Policy Purpose

(4) This Policy informs staff members of their entitlements to Living Organ Donor Leave and its application at ACU.

Section 4 - Application of Policy

(5) This Policy applies to all continuing, fixed term and casual staff of the University. It covers leave for medical appointments prior to the organ donation surgery, the surgery itself and the recuperation period for up to nine weeks.

Section 5 - Eligibility

(6) Staff members are eligible for paid living organ donor leave if they have been employed on a full-time or part-time basis for 28 continuous days prior (56 days prior for casual staff members) to either signing the Individual Registration form or the date of the surgery (whichever was first) with the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Section 6 - Entitlement

(7) Staff members who are living organ donors are entitled up to nine weeks paid leave at the staff member’s ordinary salary rate or fraction paid fortnightly. Ordinary salary for a casual staff member will be calculated by averaging their weekly hours worked over 8 weeks, or 56 days, prior to signing the Supporting Living Organ Donors Program application form or surgery date (whichever was first).

(8) The leave will be provided as extraordinary leave and will not impact on the staff member’s personal leave entitlements.

(9) The payment under the Living Organ Donors program will be made by the Department of Health and Aged Care to the University.

Section 7 - Responsibilities

Staff Member

(10) The staff member is responsible for:

1. Discussing their intention to become a living organ donor at the earliest opportunity with their nominated supervisor to allow effective planning to take place,
2. Submitting the Supporting Living Organ Donors Program application form to Service Central for completion of Part B (Employer details) within required timeline,
3. Sending the completed Supporting Living Organ Donors Program application form to the Department of Health and Aged Care, and lodging the Application Form on their return to work after the organ donation procedure is completed, and
4. Completing the required leave application form and submitting it to the nominated supervisor via Service Central for approval within appropriate timelines.

Supervisor

(11) The Supervisor is responsible for:

1. Participating in the initial discussion with the staff member regarding their intent to become a living organ donor and offering support to the staff member throughout the process, including follow up after their return to work,
2. Verification of the staff member’s eligibility as detailed in Section 5 of this Policy and approval of the staff member’s leave requests that are covered by this Policy, and
3. Ensuring that the staff member has completed and sent required forms to the Department of Health and Aged Care within appropriate timelines.

Section 8 - Approvals

(12) An application for Living Organ Donor Leave is submitted for approval by the appropriate delegated officer. Information on delegated officers for leave approvals is available in the Delegations of Authority Policy and Register.

Section 9 - Revisions made to this Policy

(13) The revision table includes revisions up until this document was migrated into the new policy system. Any later revisions will show in the Status and Details tab. 

Section 10 - Further Assistance

(15) 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 11 - Associated Information

(16) For related legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines and any supporting resources please refer to the Associated Information tab.