Contents > 2. Teaching and Learning > 2.4 Other operating resources

2.4 Other operating resources

• Workplace Reform Programme
• Superannuation 
• Teaching hospital grants
• Capital Development Pool
  • Electronic delivery infrastructure
  • New campus developments
• Higher Education Innovation Programme
• Evaluations and Investigations Programme

Workplace Reform Programme

The Workplace Reform Programme offers higher education institutions additional funding for salary supplementation, conditional on improvements in management, administrative and industrial arrangements. The funding available is broadly equivalent to a 2 per cent salary increase for staff. Institutions that successfully apply for both stages of the programme are able to secure the funding as part of their base operating grant.

The Programme aims to foster arrangements which reflect the needs of individual institutions, result in more direct relations between institutions and their employees, and improve the efficiency of management and administration processes.

The programme commenced on 1 January 2000 and to date first-round grants totalling over $113 million have been awarded to all 41 eligible institutions. These are detailed in table 2.17. First round funding is provided for a period of 18 months to institutions that demonstrate a commitment to workplace reform by meeting nine of the Programme’s 14 criteria. Institutions must demonstrate progress in implementing the reforms since their first application in order to qualify for second round funding and to have it incorporated into their base operating grants.

Outcomes from the first round show that most institutions have used their enterprise agreements to introduce flexible work conditions for staff and to enable these to be determined at the work unit, department or faculty levels. Institutions have demonstrated strong achievements in areas such as cost savings, productivity increases and revenue generation, all of which are essential for universities to continue to be competitive.

There has also been a strong trend towards the building of links between agreements and institutions’ strategic plans. Institutions now consider people management an integral part of their overall management strategy and this is influencing their operations. Institutions have also demonstrated significant commitment to and progress in reforming their operations by simplifying management processes and committees, improving people and resource management and undertaking initiatives to broaden academic expertise and management skills.

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Table 2.17: First-round Workplace Reform Programme funding by institution, 2000 to 2003^(a)

(a) These allocations reflect the fact that universities have so far qualified for first-round funding only. The allocations shown in table 1.13 are the maximum funds that are available when all institutions successfully apply for both first-round and second-round funding.

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Superannuation

Higher education institutions are eligible for supplementary financial assistance in respect of approved State emerging cost superannuation schemes. The Commonwealth provides this assistance to meet superannuation expenses which are above the standard level of funding provided for this purpose in institutions’ grants (17 per cent of the notional salary component). This arrangement results in the Commonwealth meeting the full emerging costs of relevant higher education superannuation. The estimated State share of the costs is recovered from relevant States.

Until 1 July 2000 the vehicle for the recovery of the State shares of the costs of superannuation was section 14 of the States Grants (General Purposes) Act 1994. This Act ceased with the introduction of The New Tax System. In 2001, the recovery of State shares was done through an exchange of letters. Deeds of Agreement are currently being negotiated with the States.

The total allocation for superannuation supplementation is $100 million in 2001 and $112.6 million in 2002.

In 2001, the reporting of unfunded superannuation liabilities in financial statements continued to be a technical issue for institutions in Victoria. Universities brought to account a receivable, ‘Government contributions for superannuation’, and a liability, ‘deferred benefits for superannuation’. As there is no equivalent amount brought to account as a liability by the Commonwealth this resulted in the State Auditor qualifying Victorian universities’ financial statements.

The Commonwealth’s position in relation to universities’ superannuation liabilities is that it has a commitment to meet its share of these liabilities. This was noted in the financial statements of the Department. In 2000–2001, the amount shown in the Department’s accounts for all relevant universities was $1.6 billion. This was based on the best available estimate of the commitment.

Discussions have been taking place between heads of the Commonwealth and State Treasuries with a view to streamlining the administrative arrangements relating to higher education superannuation.

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Teaching hospital grants

Over the period 2002–2004 the Government will maintain recurrent grants for teaching hospitals associated with medical schools. The grants provide for maintenance and service charges for areas used by medical students and staff and for the purchase of books and journals to assist in meeting the requirements of clinical students and academic staff. Details of indicative allocations of teaching hospital grants for 2002, 2003 and 2004 are set out in table 2.18.

No separate provision is identified for the new medical school at James Cook University as this funding has been included in the base operating grant provided to the University.

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Table 2.18: Teaching hospital grants, 2002 to 2004

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Capital Development Pool

The Capital Development Pool (CDP) assists higher education institutions with special capital projects. The principal source of capital funding is the capital roll-in component of institutions’ base operating grant, which will total around $282 million in 2002. By 2004, the total will increase to over $284 million. The Commonwealth considers institutions’ submissions for assistance under the CDP in the context of the annual Profiles round and obtains advice, through the Joint Planning Committee arrangements, on State and Territory Governments’ priorities. These negotiations ensure a coordinated approach to decision making. The total level of CDP funding available for allocation in 2004 is $41.2 million.

The CDP commenced in 1994. Its first formal evaluation is currently being finalised by the Department. The purpose of the evaluation is to provide a stocktake of the outputs of the programme, assess the extent to which the programme’s objectives have been met and discuss future options for the fund. The preliminary findings of the evaluation are that the CDP remains an appropriate response to the needs of the sector and gives the Government flexibility to target high priorities, support innovation and influence developments in the sector.

The CDP supports two types of capital projects:

• electronic delivery infrastructure projects to facilitate flexible and ‘virtual’ education services; and

• new campus developments in suburban growth corridors and regional centres.

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Electronic delivery infrastructure

The Government is particularly keen to encourage more cost-effective use of communications and information technology infrastructure and greater collaboration between institutions, including between the higher education and TAFE sectors. Its objective is to assist Australian universities position themselves to compete nationally and internationally in the flexible delivery of education services and to provide greater choice and opportunities for students. Funding proposals for electronic delivery infrastructure are required to focus on at least one of the following objectives:

• increasing the cost-effectiveness and quality of educational delivery; or

• providing increased access to higher education provision, particularly in regions with a relatively low rate of tertiary participation.

Proposals must also demonstrate:

• a commitment by the institution to meeting a share of the cost;

• where other institutions, sectors and providers are involved, a commitment by each to contribute to the cost; and

• the cost and efficiency benefits expected to be achieved.

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New campus developments

The Government recognises that from time to time there will be a need for more traditional capital projects and for specialised ‘bricks and mortar’ infrastructure to support the implementation of flexible modes of delivery. CDP funding for new campus development is contingent on:

• evidence that a ‘bricks and mortar’ development is the most cost-effective means of meeting the identified need;

• the commitment of State or Territory resources to the development;

• the support of an existing university and a commitment from the parent institution to meeting a share of the cost;

• collaboration with TAFE, including co-location and shared use of facilities, and further potential for co-operation and co-location with other institutions and sectors;

• the potential for establishing effective links with industry in course development, teaching and research; and

• the capacity of an institution for flexible delivery of education services to ensure cost-effective provision.

Details of the allocations for 2004 are set out in table 2.19.

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New South Wales

The University of New England will receive $2.1 million in 2004 to assist the University to complete its regional access and IT infrastructure project involving a network of regional access centres and related information technology infrastructure developments. The centres will be developed in association with the New England Institute of TAFE and will be located in 10 regional towns in New South Wales. The centres will enable students in small regional communities to access university and TAFE courses and services, as well as short and continuing education programmes, without the need to leave their local region.

The University of New South Wales will receive $0.805 million in 2004 for ICT infrastructure to assist the University to link classrooms to real workplace environments. The project will promote ‘authentic learning’ and extend the University’s educational reach to rural, remote and defence communities. The classrooms will be linked to real work places in the mining industry, in defence and over a dozen remote and rural sites in medicine through the Greater Murray Clinical School.

The University of Sydney will receive $2 million for the proposed Centre for Regional Education at Orange. The Centre will incorporate the University, the Western Institute of TAFE and a senior high school. The Centre will feature joint curriculum planning and sharing of resources and facilities, including library, technology centre, laboratories, gymnasium and student services. Flexible delivery will be used to deliver curriculum to and from other campuses of the University, to and from other TAFE campuses and to and from Orange District secondary schools.

The University of Western Sydney (UWS) will receive $1.5 million in 2004 for an Advanced Campus Network to establish advanced networking capacity between the six UWS campuses by optic fibre. The project will underpin and expand the services provided through the Greater Western Sydney Learning Network (GWSLN). The GWSLN has received funding from the Capital Development Pool in recent years and is being developed by the University to link all UWS campuses with schools, TAFE and other training institutions in Western Sydney and to provide equity of access to educational opportunities for students and the local community.

The University of Wollongong will receive $2 million to redevelop the Moss Vale TAFE campus in collaboration with the Illawarra Institute of Technology and in partnership with the Eurobodalla Shire Council, along similar lines to the South East Education Network facility at Batemans Bay. The campus will offer 24-hour access to computing facilities, 25 wireless-enabled laptop computers for classroom activities, a high capacity internal network to enable video conferencing and data transfer and network links to the main Wollongong campus and the Shoalhaven campus.

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Victoria

Deakin University will receive $1 million for the development of an e-campus, a web-based, online university network providing teaching and learning support, video-conferencing and administrative and support services.

Monash University will receive $2 million for a new building on the Berwick campus to accommodate a Centre for Multimedia. The Centre will comprise multimedia laboratories, design studios, staff accommodation, two tutorial rooms and one 220 student lecture theatre. The allocation is subject to a satisfactory final proposal.

The Government has confirmed an allocation of $0.5 million in 2003 to Swinburne University of Technology to assist with information infrastructure enhancements across the institution.

The Government has approved an allocation of $0.75 million in 2004 to the University of Ballarat for IT infrastructure to support the merger of the School of Visual and Performing Arts with the arts section of the TAFE School of Hospitality and Vocational Arts. The new precinct will include the expanded Ballarat Fine Arts Gallery and will be based in historic buildings in the central business district of Ballarat. The funding will provide network infrastructure, workstations for graphic design studios, equipment for a multi-media studio and equipment and fit out of theatres.

The Government will hold over the confirmation of the allocation of $0.5 million in 2003 to the University of Ballarat for information technology infrastructure and related building upgrades until 2002, subject to the completion of the agreement between the University and IBM.

The University of Melbourne will receive $3 million for ICT infrastructure to assist with the restructure of the Institute of Land and Food Resources (ILFR). The restructure will ensure the Institute’s courses remain relevant to the changing needs of students. The ICT infrastructure will enable the University to increase the number of courses it can provide electronically, teach common units and courses through all campuses, reduce duplication and improve student access and choice.

Victoria University of Technology, in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology, will receive $1 million to assist with the development of a common student and course administration system. The ICT infrastructure will support the implementation of an Internet-enhanced student information system. The system will provide students with greater access to information across a broad range of activities and generate cost efficiencies within the University. The collaboration between the two universities will enable the leveraging of purchasing power and access to shared expertise.

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Queensland

Central Queensland University will receive $1 million for a new science and research building at the Bundaberg campus. The building will include science laboratories, research facilities and staff offices. The research facilities will comprise a suite of rooms designed to meet the needs of multimedia and information technology research.

James Cook University will receive a further $3 million in 2004 for continuing development of the Health Sciences and Science Precinct at the Cairns campus. The precinct will complement the activities of the new medical school in Townsville and will enhance the provision of higher education in north Queensland.

Queensland University of Technology will receive a further $1 million in 2004 to assist with the acquisition of information technology infrastructure for the Creative Industries Precinct. The project has a strong focus on cross-sectoral and industry collaboration and has attracted financial support from both the public and private sectors.

The University will also receive $2 million for the establishment of a multi-partner tertiary education and resource centre at Caboolture. The centre will be developed in partnership with North Point Institute of TAFE and the Caboolture Shire Council.

The University of Queensland will receive $2.5 million in 2004 as a further contribution to stage 3 of the Ipswich campus. Stage 3 will include a purpose built library and resource centre which will comprise student and campus support, library services and a self-directed learning centre.

The University of Southern Queensland will receive $2 million for the development of the University’s Wide Bay campus. The funding will assist with the construction of a new building with related infrastructure to provide additional teaching and laboratory spaces, computer laboratories and staff accommodation. The project will enhance the existing campus IT infrastructure and expand data links to the University’s main Toowoomba campus.

The University of the Sunshine Coast will receive $2.5 million in 2004 as a further contribution to stage 5 of the campus development. The project has a strong focus on flexible delivery and will significantly improve the University’s capacity to cost effectively provide more relevant educational services.

The Commonwealth will hold-over until 2002 the confirmation of the allocation of $2.5 million in 2003 to Griffith University for further development of its Gold Coast campus. The proposed site for the building is the subject of a native title claim that has not been resolved.

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Western Australia

Curtin University of Technology will receive a further $1 million in 2004 to assist with the Margaret River Centre for Wine Excellence. The Centre will be developed in partnership with Edith Cowan University, TAFE, senior schools in the region, the local wine industry and community. The Centre will provide undergraduate and postgraduate courses, research activities and industry related programmes in fields such as viticulture, oenology, wine marketing and tourism.

Edith Cowan University will receive a further $2 million in 2004 to assist with construction of the health and science building at the Joondalup campus.

The Government has approved a further allocation of $0.7 million for a multi-partner library in Broome, subject to the receipt of a satisfactory collaborative proposal, agreed at state level, for the delivery of higher education in Broome. This is in addition to the in-principle allocation of $1.3 million in 2003. It is envisaged that the new Centre at Broome will be a resource for the Broome region and used by a range of providers, particularly all universities with students in the region. The grant will be directed to the University of Notre Dame Australia.

The Government has approved an allocation of up to $1 million to be set aside for capital requirements associated with the establishment of a higher education centre at Geraldton, subject to a satisfactory proposal. Twenty Commonwealth fully funded places have been granted to a consortium of Western Australian universities (the University of Western Australia, Curtin University of Technology, and Edith Cowan University) for higher education provision in Geraldton.

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South Australia

Flinders University of South Australia will receive a further $1 million in 2004 to assist with the development of the Lincoln Marine Science Centre. The Centre will enable the University to meet increased student demand in marine science programmes and will encourage greater collaboration with the Spencer Institute of TAFE.

The University of Adelaide will receive a further $2 million in 2004 for infrastructure support for its new music school. The school is the result of an amalgamation of the Elder Conservatorium of the University with the Flinders Street School of Music, a unit of the Adelaide Institute of TAFE. The new school will encourage cross-sectoral collaboration and will achieve more cost-effective provision of music programmes in South Australia.

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Tasmania

The University of Tasmania will receive $1 million for ICT infrastructure to enhance the capacity of the University to deliver high quality online courses and services on its Hobart and Launceston campuses, at the North West Centre and through e-learning centres to be established in three or four regional locations. Through these e-learning centres, local communities will be able to access online educational opportunities and services from the University, TAFE, schools, local libraries and community-based online access centres. The ongoing maintenance and staffing of the e-learning centres will be met by the Tasmanian Department of Education.

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Northern Territory

A further allocation of $0.5 million will be made to Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education for the Community Study Centre programme. The Commonwealth has provided $2.133 million to Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education over the period 1999–2002 for establishment of community study centres in Aboriginal communities in remote areas of the Northern Territory to assist improved educational outcomes for Aboriginal people undertaking tertiary studies through the Institute. The community study centre provides a dedicated location where students can attend workshops or tutorials, can study on their own and can access computer, email and internet facilities.

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Australian Capital Territory

The Government agreed to an in-principle allocation of $1.6 million in 2003 to assist the University of Canberra in collaboration with the Canberra Institute of Technology with further development of the National Institute of Design and related information technology infrastructure. The allocation in 2003 builds on the Commonwealth’s earlier contribution in 2002 and was conditional on the receipt of a satisfactory final proposal. The project is still in the planning stages and the Government will hold over confirmation of the allocation in 2003 until the final proposal is received.

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National

The Australian Catholic University will receive a further $1.8 million in 2004 for stage 2 of the Banyo campus in Queensland and university-wide information technology infrastructure. The funding builds on the Government’s earlier contributions in 2002 and 2003 and will improve educational opportunities and delivery across all the University’s campuses. Stage 2 of the Banyo campus development includes a flexible learning centre building, an expanded School of Business and Informatics, virtual library infrastructure, videoconferencing infrastructure, additional core infrastructure for the local and university-wide networks and rooms for the server and technical support.

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Table 2.19: Capital Development Pool allocations, 2002 to 2004

(a) There are discrepancies in the column totals for 2003 and 2004 due to rounding.

(b) The Minister approved variation for cash flow arrangements in 2001 and 2002.

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Higher Education Innovation Programme

The Commonwealth promotes quality and encourages innovation in the sector through the Higher Education Innovation Programme (HEIP). This programme supports the Australian Universities Teaching Committee, the Australian Awards for University Teaching, the Australian Universities Quality Agency and the Science Lectureships Initiative. In 2001 HEIP also assisted in supporting the National Review of Nursing Education.

The objective of HEIP is to strengthen the higher education system’s capacity for quality services through innovative projects. Projects can be proposed by the sector or the Department, or nominated by the Minister. Projects funded in 2001 supported a wide range of initiatives such as:

• Reforming the Teaching of Mathematics and Science, to discover what types of interactions between university and school staff produce the desired changes in the way students learn science and mathematics and to record and report on the development of new content and pedagogy;

• Training the Next Generation in Tropical Marine Science, to develop curricula and subject materials for a degree in tropical marine science;

• Built Environment Preparatory Programme for Indigenous Students, to establish a preparatory course for Indigenous people entering the built environment and related studies fields; and

• Online Support for Work-based Practicums, using online technology, to develop a modular programme and set of resources that can be used to prepare students for off-campus, work-based practicum experiences.

New projects, continuing projects and the amount of funding allocated in 2001 are listed in table 2.20.

HEIP has been allocated $16.247 million in 2002. This will fund the Science Lectureships Initiative, Australian Awards for University Teaching, Australian University Teaching Committee (AUTC) and other projects as agreed by the Minister. Details on Australian Universities Teaching Committee projects, funded from this component of the Higher Education Innovation Programme, may be found on the AUTC web site (www.autc.gov.au ). Winners of Australian Awards for University Teaching for 2001 are reported in Tables 1.8 and 1.9.

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Table 2.20: Higher Education Innovation Programme grants, 2001

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Evaluations and Investigations Programme

The Evaluations and Investigations Programme (EIP) funds studies, evaluations and research projects on matters of national importance in higher education. In 2001 EIP-funded projects focused on a variety of topics, including lifelong learning, learning disabilities

and nursing education, and a number of short papers that will contribute to the national report on higher education and explore developments in the sector over the last 10 years.

Funds for the programme are provided from the annual Appropriation Acts on a financial year basis. Table 2.21 lists new projects funded in 2001. Table 2.22 lists the EIP publications programme for 2001.

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Table 2.21: Evaluations and Investigations Programme grants, 2001