Visiting Fellow(Research)Or Occupational Trainee

Unpaid AppointmentGuidelines

Visiting Fellow(Research)or Occupational Trainee

The University may consider a request of hosting a professional Visiting Fellow from another University within Australia or overseas invited by the University to observe, collaborate or participate in an Australian research project (in Australia) because of a significant record of achievement in their field. This is typically for research over a three month period and up to 12 months. This is considered as an unpaid appointment and any related travel allowances are to be agreed and discussed prior to the request to appoint. If the University agrees to host a Visiting Fellow from overseas, this is an Employer Sponsored appointment and will require an Australian visa, Training and Research (subclass 402). Areas seeking approval to appoint a Visiting Fellow or occupational trainee from overseas must ensure they are able to comply with the legal obligations attached to the visa before submitting an application.

Please note: This is not to be used for Visiting Delegates, Adjuncts or Honorary appointments. Visiting Fellows under a three month period will not be required to utilise.

For ease of use and to minimise any confusion, the language of Occupational Trainee has been removed from all other related forms as these activities are very rarely exercised at ECU. If a request for an occupational trainee were to occur, then the same forms for Visiting Fellows would be utilised.

Process (within Australia): Visiting Fellow (Research) or Occupational Trainee

ECU requestor to fill out the Unpaid Appointment Request Form and clearly outline the business case, benefits and any associated costs for this appointment.
Ensure all relevant endorsement and approvals and related costs have been signed off.
Attach Research or Training Plan and any other specified documentation on the Unpaid Appointment Request Form.
Forward to HR via or your relevant Senior HR Officer. A letter of invitation (signed by HR Director) will be forwarded. Please allow reasonable time for HRSC to ensure that all requirements are met.
Once signed by HR Director, the invitation letter will be forwarded to the Visiting Fellow and they will be required to sign and return to HRSC for recordkeeping purposes.

Process (outside Australia): Visiting Fellow (Research) or Occupational Trainee

The appropriate Employer Sponsored Australian visa for a Visiting Fellow or Occupational Trainee is a Training and Research (subclass 402) visa. This visa is not appropriate for academics who will be involved in teaching/lecturing in Australia, or for academics completing their PhD and is only valid for up to twelve (12) months.

ECU requestor to fill out the Unpaid Appointment Request Form and clearly outline the business case, benefits and any associated costs for this appointment.
Ensure all relevant endorsement and approvals and related costs have been signed off.
All employer sponsored costs must be budgeted and paid for by local areas within ECU and not by the incoming Visiting Fellow. This would be a conflict for ECU to sponsor a Visiting Fellow and then request that they cover ECU’s costs. This is a different process to any travel allowances that have been negotiated and agreed by the local area and the Visiting Fellow (or the University they come from).
Attach Research or Training Plan and any other specified documentation on the Unpaid Appointment Request Form.
Forward to HR via or your relevant Senior HR Officer. A letter of invitation (signed by HR Director) will be forwarded. Please allow reasonable time for HRSC to ensure that all requirements are met.
Once signed by HR Director, the invitation letter will be forwarded to the Visiting Fellow and they will be required to sign and return to HRSC for recordkeeping purposes.

Visiting Fellows from outside Australia under a three month period will be required to organise their own visas – this would not be an ECU Employer Sponsored visa. It would still be recommended that the appropriate paperwork is utilised to issue an invitation letter.