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Policy Paper8 Fostering flexible and responsive workplacesThe Commonwealth will continue its commitment to fostering flexible and
responsive workplaces in higher education institutions through a number of
new measures, including an increase in Commonwealth course contributions
once an institution has adhered to the National Governance Protocols and
complied with the Commonwealth’s workplace relations policy (see
Section 2.2). 8.1 Workplace Productivity ProgrammeThe Commonwealth believes that, while some progress has been made in advancing workplace reform in the higher education sector, there remains considerable scope for further improvement. Reflecting the importance placed by the Commonwealth on furthering workplace reform, a new Workplace Productivity Programme will be established to encourage institutions to pursue a broader workplace reform agenda which more effectively utilises the flexibilities available under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. Funding under the new programme will be made contingent on universities demonstrating a commitment to workplace reform, through the implementation of flexible working arrangements and a focus on direct relationships with employees and improved productivity and performance. The details of the evidence universities will need to provide to demonstrate a commitment to workplace reform will be settled prior to the implementation of the Programme. Essential features will include evidence of a fair and open performance management system which links access to salary movements to an individual’s performance and evidence that an institution is actively offering individual employment arrangements to employees. The Commonwealth will provide $55.2 million over two years from 2006 for the Workplace Productivity Programme. 8.2 Changes to the Workplace Relations Act 1996Under the Workplace Relations Act 1996, higher education employees, like all employees, are permitted to undertake industrial action in the context of negotiating a replacement agreement after the expiry of their current agreement. In some cases, this industrial action has taken the form of withholding students’ examination results. This prevents students from providing results to potential employers, hinders the re-enrolment process and does not constitute fair and reasonable industrial action. An
amendment will be made to the Workplace Relations Act 1996 to amplify
the power of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) to end
protected industrial action, by requiring the AIRC to take particular
account of the welfare of particular classes of people, that is, people who
are clients of health, community services or 8.3 Association of Governing Bodies of Australian UniversitiesThere are limited professional development opportunities available for the 800 members of university governing bodies. The members include students, staff and others drawn from the broader community. Practice in relation to orientation or induction of new members of governing bodies, and their continued professional development, varies considerably across the sector. While there have been recent attempts to coordinate professional activities for members of governing bodies, there is an identified need for the establishment of an organisation that would take responsibility for regular professional development activities for those serving as members of university governing bodies. The establishment of an Association of Governing Bodies of Australian Universities will improve the capabilities of university leadership by coordinating and promoting professional development opportunities for members of university governing bodies.
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Any comments or
queries should be sent to:
highered@dest.gov.au
Department of Education, Science and Training
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