Leave Arrangements for Work/Family/Personal Life Balance
Leave Without Pay
Leave Without Pay is an option for staff, normally, where other forms of leave are unavailable. It is granted at the discretion of the University. 
Leave without pay will not normally exceed one year except where another tertiary institution, a government agency, professional development, or other relevant employment or study is involved, in which case up to two years may be approved.
A staff member's recreation leave credits must be exhausted before Leave Without Pay can be granted.
Examples of reasons for granting Leave Without Pay are:
- Care for dependants or family members in case of illness, accident or bereavement
- Take up a brief fixed term appointment with another institution or government body, (that may aid in the development and expertise of the staff member as well as being in the interests of the University of Ballarat).
- Undertake a consultancy with a government organisation or other approved body
- Accompany a partner on extended leave or secondment
- Undertake study, or carry out research
- Settle affairs of a personal nature, for example to execute an estate
- Extend sick leave where credits have been exhausted
Other reasons may be acceptable and would be assessed and approved by the Vice-Chancellor on a case-by-case basis.
Please note that information for unpaid leave related to Parental Leave can be found at the following links:
For detailed information on leave entitlements and conditions for different staff categories please click on the relevant link/s below.
Please note that leave without pay provisions do not apply to casual or sessional staff members.
How to apply for Leave Without Pay
- Fully understand your Leave Without Pay entitlements and options.
- See link below and/or discuss your situation and plans confidentially with Human Resources (Richelle Brehaut, Human Resource Co-ordinator, x9367 or r.brehaut@ballarat.edu.au) and/or with your Supervisor.
- For Leave Without Pay under four weeks, the relevant Head of School/Director may approve requests. Complete a Leave Absentee Form and forward to Human Resources.
- For Leave Without Pay over four weeks, staff need approval from the Vice-Chancellor. To apply staff would need to complete a memo detailing reasons with supporting documentation initially submitted to the relevant Head of School/Director. The Head of School/Director's recommendations and comments on how the staff member's duties will be arranged are then sent to Human Resources for forwarding to the Vice-Chancellor.
- Where possible all applications should be received by Human Resources at least 2 months prior to commencement of the leave.
Staff should consider consulting Glenn Bench on ext 9517, for relevant information on the effects that taking "Leave Without Pay" may have on their Superannuation and Long Service Leave entitlements.
Link to detailed information on leave entitlements and conditions relevant to Leave Without Pay for all staff categories:
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