1.4.1 Study and Research Assistance Scheme
Policy
The Study and Research Assistance Scheme (SARAS) provides financial and leave assistance to employees undertaking courses of study or research projects.
These arrangements apply to all employees who have been employed for a period of at least 12 months and whose engagement is likely to continue for at least 12 months after receipt of the benefit.
To be eligible for SARAS, a course of study or research, (full-time, part-time, or external), is usually undertaken with a recognised tertiary institution and would normally result in the gaining of a qualification, eg. certificate, diploma or degree.
Assistance may be sought for study on a part-time basis. Assistance will generally only be provided in respect of studies commenced after an application for assistance has been formally approved.
Two tiers of assistance may be given-
Highly Desirable: A course of study or research that provides a substantial proportion of qualifications or skills applicable to the employee's area of work within the Ministerial Office.
Desirable: A course of study or research that provides an identifiable portion of qualifications and skills that can be applied in a range of positions within the Ministerial Office.
The determination of eligibility and the level of assistance is at the discretion of the Premier on the recommendation of the Minister. When determining the level of assistance, consideration should be given to office convenience, budget constraints and equity.
Consideration of late applications is at the discretion of the Premier. The final approval for SARAS is given by the Premier based on the recommendation of the Minister and written notification will be forwarded from Human Resources, Ministerial Services advising the applicant of the outcome of their application.
Arrangements to enrol in a course of study should not be made based on the assumption of automatic approval for assistance.
If SARAS assistance is being considered, full details of the SARAS provisions should be obtained from Ministerial Services prior to commencing the course of study. The SARAS policy is available on the Ministerial Intranet site or from Ministerial Services.
Application for Assistance
Applications for SARAS assistance will be initiated by the applicant and made using the SARAS Application for Assistance form. All details of the course of study being undertaken must be provided at the time of initial application. Before the commencement of the academic year, updated applications must be submitted with details of subjects to be studied in the forthcoming semester, costs and leave requirements.
Leave assistance is subject to Office convenience and in accordance with the leave entitlements section of the SARAS policy. Leave is not an automatic entitlement and all efforts must be undertaken by the employee to ensure that where possible, course requirements are conducted outside of working hours.
All financial assistance is given as reimbursement. Reimbursement will be based on the percentage applicable to the tier of assistance and will be paid only after evidence is presented of satisfactory progress in the relevant subject or course.
Application for Reimbursement
Following receipt of course results, an employee with an approved application for SARAS assistance may apply for reimbursement of costs by forwarding the following to the Manager Human Resources, Ministerial Services:
- Institute-endorsed copy of course results;
- Completed "SARAS Notification of Course Results and Application for Reimbursement" form;
- Original copies of tax invoices for all costs for which reimbursement is being sought.
The Manager Human Resources is the authorised officer for the approval of all claims for reimbursement.
Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009
Last updated: 22 July, 2009
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