Overseas Conference Leave

Development & Training

Frequently Asked Questions

1. The OCS - What is it?
2. Am I eligible?
3. How long can I be away?
4. How often can I go?
5. How much financial help?
6. Who decides?
7. What if I think the Committee is wrong?
8. How and when do I apply?
9. And if I don't get approval under the OCS?

1. The OCS - What is it?

A scheme that gives you leave and financial support to participate in international conferences.

If you are a younger member of staff wishing to establish personal contact and to share new ideas with colleagues overseas, the Scheme has your needs particularly in mind.

2. Am I eligible?

If you have been invited to give a paper, present a poster or otherwise participate in a substantial way at an international conference and if you are a Lecturer Level A or above you are eligible to participate.

This includes people in positions that the University regards as equivalent to academic staff such as Research Fellows, although if your position is funded by an external body, your participation and the level of financial support may be subject to that body's agreement.

3. How long can I be away?

You may seek up to 15 days leave to attend one conference and to undertake related activity or 21 days if there are two conferences.

If you need a longer period you may wish to apply for another form of leave or seek approval under the Special Studies Program. Human Resources will be glad to advise you.

4. How often can I go?

You may be given up to three periods of OCS leave in any calendar year.

5. How much financial help?

The maximum grant you may receive during a period of two consecutive calendar years is $2400 while you are in the first four years of your appointment, provided you are not a professor and $2000 in all other cases.

You should note that this is not an entitlement that accumulates.

Each Faculty will decide the level of support it will give up to these maxima.

If your position is funded by an external body, the financial arrangements may be contingent on arrangements made with that body Human Resources can assist.

6. Who decides?

Your application will be considered by your Faculty's OCS Committee against the general criteria above and the criteria it develops for use within the Faculty (These are subject to the approval of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).)

7. What if I think the committee is wrong?

You may appeal to the Executive Dean of the Faculty if you think the Faculty OCS Committee followed an improper process in assessing your request, but not simply on the grounds that  you do not agree with its decision.

8. How an when do I apply?

Applications will be sought in the Adelaidean and through other notices from time to time.

Your Faculty Office will be able to tell you when your Faculty OCS Committee will invite applications and the "local" criteria that will apply.

It will also be able to give you the application form your Faculty uses and information on any reporting requirements.

9. And if I don't get approval under the OCS?

You are free at any time to seek leave to attend a conference from your Head of Department and to seek help with the costs from any available source. If you apply unsuccessfully for OCS leave and support those other avenues are still open to you.

Contact Information:
For further information contact your relevant Faculty Office.