View Current

Travel Procedure

This is not a current document. To view the current version, click the link in the document's navigation bar.

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) The purpose of this Procedure is to outline the steps for planning, approving, booking, and undertaking travel; and paying for and acquitting travel expenses. 

(2) All University travel must be in accordance with principles outlined in the Travel Policy and this Procedure.  

(3) Refer to the ‘DEFINITIONS’ section for the meaning of defined terms. 

Top of Page

Section 2 - Scope

(4) This Procedure applies to domestic travel and international travel arrangements by University travellers on approved University business, regardless of the source of funds, the duration, or purpose of travel.  

(5) This Procedure does not apply to the following travel activity: 

  1. University staff not on University business and not utilising University administered resources;
  2. students who are fully funding travel from personal resources including scholarships or stipends provided by the University where the student has full discretion over how the funds are applied;
  3. University guests or affiliates travelling on University business where funding for travel is provided from funds that are not managed or otherwise administered by the University and the University is not responsible for the health, safety, or wellbeing of the traveller; and
  4. as per Clause 51 in Section 7 of this Procedure, the requirement to use the University TMC does not apply where the travel for University business is fully funded and booked by the traveller or a third-party funding body. All other requirements of the policy and this procedure remain.  

(6) Students who are also employees of the University, travelling on University funded travel, are considered employees for the purposes of the Travel Policy and Procedure. 

(7) Trips greater than 180 days are considered an exception, therefore, Section 9 applies.

Top of Page

Section 3 - Audience

(8) This Procedure and the Travel Policy must be read and understood by all University travellers, approvers, and travel arrangers. 

Top of Page

Section 4 - Overview

(9) All travel must be in accordance with the Safe, Essential, Economical (SEE) principles outlined in the Travel Policy.  

(10) The Travel Hub must be accessed to obtain approval for travel, apply for exemptions and make travel bookings.  

Top of Page

Section 5 - Travel Planning

Part A - Risk Assessment

(11) University travellers (or in the case of group travel the most senior employee on, or associated with the trip), must perform a risk assessment to determine the risk level of the planned travel. For international travel or domestic travel to remote areas or involving high risk activities the risk assessment must be documented. 

(12) University travellers and approvers must be mindful that travel may place University travellers in environments that are unfamiliar, and therefore must proactively seek out relevant information about risks, relating to the destination and the travel itself. 

(13) Travel is classified as high risk, if it: 

  1. is to a high-risk destination; and / or 
  2. incorporates high risk activities that put the traveller at higher risk of significant injury or death and / or the University at higher risk of reputational damage or economic loss than activities performed in a normal teaching, office, or low risk research environment; 

(14) A request to undertake high risk travel may require additional risk treatment measures, for example additional insurance, defined communication protocols, mandated use of personal protection equipment. The nature of these measures will depend on the reasons for which a destination or activity is considered high risk (refer to SECTION 6). 

(15) The University will not require University travellers to compulsorily undertake high risk travel for University business. If high risk travel is undertaken it will not be covered by the University's travel insurance, unless approval for the travel destination and activities has been granted as determined by the Health and Safety team and/or the Foreign Influence Steering Committee (as applicable), and relevant risk treatment measures are put in place by the traveller.  

(16) For a trip identified as low risk, the University traveller and approver must consider whether compliance with this Procedure and the Travel Policy and other guidance as referenced is considered sufficient risk mitigation. If it is not, the trip should be classified as high risk

Destination and Activity Risk Assessment 

(17) The destination is high risk if travelling to any country or region where the threat to the health or safety of the University traveller is considered high, and includes travel to locations where: 

  1. a Department of Foreign Affairs & Trading (DFAT) Level 3 advice of “Reconsider your need to travel” has been issued;   
  2. a DFAT Level 4 advice of “Do not travel” has been issued noting travel to these countries is NOT covered by the standard University travel insurance policy;  
  3. a “high” or “extreme” risk rating has been issued by the University's Global Assistance Support Service provider; or 
  4. the University has imposed broad restrictions on travel for example during a pandemic. 

(18) The activity is high risk if there is a material threat:  

  1. to the health and safety of the University traveller;  
  2. to the reputation of the University; and / or  
  3. of material economic loss. 

(19) High risk activities and destinations must have a risk assessment completed.

(20) The risk mitigation measures for high-risk activities and destinations should be devised in consultation with the University Subject Matter Expert (SME); for example, the Health and Safety team, Insurance, Finance and/or the Foreign Influence Steering Committee (as applicable).  

(21) If a University traveller and approver are unable to determine the level of activity risk, they must assume the risk is high and consult with the appropriate University SME’s to inform the need for a documented risk assessment and appropriate mitigation activities. 

(22) As a guide, low risk activities are typically those consistent with typical office or classroom work, or low risk research

Changes in Risk Assessment 

(23) If a low-risk destination or activity risk changes and is later deemed high risk after the travel has been approved, the University traveller must provide evidence of further risk mitigation measures and seek written approval from the relevant approver to begin or continue the trip.   

Part B - Travel Insurance

(24) The University has travel insurance in place for travel on University business that is undertaken in accordance with this Procedure and the Travel Policy, and is to destinations classified as DFAT level 1, 2 or 3 travel.

(25) Staff requiring essential travel to countries determined to be DFAT Level 4 (DO NOT TRAVEL) must work with the Insurance team within Governance and Assurance Services to arrange special cover. 

(26) Where a University traveller incorporates a private component into a trip, they must obtain separate travel insurance coverage for the total trip duration to ensure that they are adequately covered. 

(27) No cover is provided for costs incurred in relation to COVID 19 related travel issues including a disruption event, extended stay, quarantine or testing. The staff members’ employing business unit is responsible for any costs incurred that are not recoverable under the University travel insurance policy.

Part C - Travel Diaries and Leave

(28) The University may incur Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), imposed by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) if the University pays for or reimburses employees for travel expenses relating to travel deemed as private even where the source of funds is through a grant.  

(29) To ensure FBT is not incurred by the University the employee must: 

  1. ensure that the primary purpose of the trip is for location specific University business;  
  2. prepare and keep a travel diary for all trips of six nights or more. 

(30) At the time of booking the traveller must pay the Travel Management Company (TMC), or other approved travel provider, a personal contribution towards the cost of flights where the private component of the trip is 50% or more of the total travel days.  See Section 8 Part J for more details. 

(31) The ATO compliant travel diary will be used by the University to: 

  1. support approval requests;
  2. meet ATO documentation requirements; 
  3. determine Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) implications; and  
  4. calculate any personal contributions from the employee needed to remove an FBT liability and ensure propoer use of University funds (see also SECTION 8 Part J). 

(32) While there is no FBT related requirement for students to complete the travel diary it is used to assist with approvals.

(33) Travel diaries must be prepared and reviewed at the time of travel approval by the traveller’s approver. On return, if diary details have changed, travel diaries must be updated and provided for review by the approver within 10 business days of returning from the trip.  

Leave for Private Days 

(34) Before a trip is booked, employees must ensure that leave has been requested and approved to cover any weekdays that are classified as private days and that are not public holidays or University concession days. 

Part D - Other

Health and Vaccinations 

(35) University travellers are responsible for contacting a health professional specialising in travel medicine and advice to discuss pre-travel health checks and vaccinations at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure for international travel.  

(36) Before approval to travel for University business is provided, staff and students must provide evidence of full vaccination against Covid-19 in line with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommendations, to their travel approver. Evidence must be emailed to usafe@newcastle.edu.au who will confirm sighting of evidence of vaccination status. Once the confirmation email is received, the traveller must attach it to the pre-approval trip request to show that the evidence has been sighted.

Visa/Work Permit Requirements 

(37) University travellers are responsible for meeting all the entry and visa requirements of all countries they are visiting, transiting through, or working in. It is also the traveller’s responsibility to ensure that they hold a passport valid for the period required by the countries visited which is typically, but not always, the duration plus six months after the last day of planned travel. 

Top of Page

Section 6 - Travel Approval

Approval 

(38) Authority for the approval of travel expenditure is provided in the University's delegations of authority (Please see: Delegation Register). 

(39) All travel undertaken for University business is subject to approval regardless of the source of funds or any private travel component. 

(40) University travellers must not, under any circumstances, authorise their own travel or the reimbursement of their own travel expenditure. 

(41) The approver must be more senior than the staff member incurring the travel expense. 

(42) The approver must consider location, activities, and expenditure types contained in the travel request with consideration to the SEE Principles and all other University Policy and Procedures. 

(43) Consultation with the Risk Team is highly recommended before approving destinations or activities identified as high risk or those that could be reasonably perceived as high risk

Documentation  

(44) The level of documentation needed to support the approval of travel will vary based on the risk, the University traveller type, and the approver to enable them to appropriately exercise their delegated authority. 

(45) The traveller must prepare sufficient documentation to:  

  1. ensure the University has sufficient information to fulfil their duty of care obligations (e.g., contacts in case of an emergency);  
  2. meet any associated compliance requirements;  
  3. record and assess the appropriateness of the travel purpose and resources needed; and 
  4. identify and assess the risks associated with travel and ensure the mitigation of identified risks in a timely manner. 

(46) Documentation required to facilitate the timely and thorough review and approval of travel must be kept or referenced through the applicable approval record.  

(47) Travellers who are currently or intend to become engaged in Defence related research or activities prior to their travel, may be needed to adhere to an added set of requirements related to the Department of Defence, Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) membership. Further information may be obtained from the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) who is the University's DISP Security Officer via PVC-Research@newcastle.edu.au. 

Top of Page

Section 7 - Booking Travel

(48) The most practical fare of the day requirement applies to all categories of travel. 

(49) The TMC’s OBT should be used for booking low risk travel and the TMC consultant should be used to book high risk travel unless an exception is supplied for in this Procedure, as set out in clause (51) below.  

(50) Cost collector(s) or G number(s) must be identified for each trip. 

(51) The traveller is responsible for ensuring that all travel itineraries are recorded with the University's Global Assistance Support Service provider (ISOS) through MyTrips. This will occur automatically for trips booked on the OBT and via a consultant booking with the University preferred supplier. This information will need to be manually updated where alternative booking methods are used. Access to MyTrips can be found in the Travel Hub.   

(52) The following travel bookings do not have to be made through the TMC however the SEE principles still apply:  

  1. bookings that are paid for in full and administered by external organisations; 
  2. bookings for accommodation and other travel costs not accessible to the TMC but necessary to meet operational requirements; 
  3. conference or event bookings/packages that enable access to preferential pricing that are not available through the TMC; or 
  4. bookings required to be made or changed in emergency circumstances when the TMC is not accessible. 
  5. Trips made under this clause must still be logged by the traveller or arranger in ISOS.

Part E - Lounge, Loyalty and Frequent Flyer Program Memberships 

(53) Lounge, loyalty or frequent flyer program memberships or personal preference must not be a factor in selecting airlines, hotels or any other reward bearing expenses, for any University traveller

(54) The University will not pay for or subsidise loyalty program or lounge memberships. University travellers are allowed to use a personal lounge, loyalty or frequent flyer membership if the most practical travel arrangements facilitate use of them, however, the individual is responsible for any tax implications associated with the use.  

(55) Financial benefits associated with the utilisation of loyalty program membership may only be considered in determining the most practical fare of the day where the University traveller can show a quantifiable saving to the University. The saving must reduce the cost of the trip to match or better the next most practical fare of the day. Examples of demonstrable benefits include avoided costs as determined using standard meal rates, meeting room hire and ground transport hire costs. Accrual of loyalty points, status credits, or other benefits for future use are not allowed in determining the saving. 

(56) In the instance where a University traveller does not use loyalty benefits in the manner identified during the approval process because of personal choice or avoidable change of plans, the University traveller is liable for the cost of these items. 

(57) Use of loyalty memberships is not adequate justification to make bookings outside of the TMC or OBT.

Part F - Transport

(58) The SEE travel policy principles must be applied in the choice of transport methods and routes. University travellers must exercise good judgment in deciding on transport that best suits their circumstances, considering cost effectiveness, risk and effective use of time. 

Travel Route 

(59) While travelling for approved University business, University travellers must undertake the most practical and economical route between the University and the location of their University business.  Deviations from the most practical route will be considered private travel where the deviation results in an increased trip duration or cost. 

(60) For clarity, while travelling for approved University business, University travellers must not direct the choice of a travel route based on: 

  1. a personal preference of the route. 
  2. a personal preference for a travel provider, or 
  3. private travel needs. 

Travel Class 

(61) University travellers should only travel in Economy Class. Any upgrade to a travel class must be approved prior to booking unless the upgrade, including purchase of a higher value fare to facilitate access to an upgrade, is paid for using the University traveller's personal resources. 

(62) Members of the Executive Committee are allowed to travel in Business Class on individual flight legs that are longer than 5 hours in duration where there are good business reasons to do so.   

Ground Transport 

(63) A safe, effective, and economical ground transport method must be used. Examples of appropriate ground transport methods are: 

  1. a University fleet vehicle; 
  2. public transport whenever workable; 
  3. hotel shuttle and airport buses;
  4. taxis (where they are run legally); 
  5. a hire vehicle, booked through the TMC which includes insurance for standard damage protection. Purchase of reductions to insurance excess is not needeed up to $10,000; 
  6. a private vehicle may be considered if it is the most economical option after considering any workplace health and safety concerns, reimbursements, and associated parking costs. As a minimum, 
    1. the University traveller must ensure the private vehicle has comprehensive car insurance and is roadworthy; and
    2. the staff member is appropriately licensed and has access to roadside assistance.
    3. Please refer to ‘Vehicles - Private Vehicle Use Procedure’. 
  7. ride-sharing providers (for example, Uber) in cities where they run legally: 
    1. when using Uber, the University traveller will need to configure the University business account in the Uber app to allow business bookings to be made; or 
  8. chauffeured vehicles / charters where the use conforms with the SEE principles. 

(64) University travellers must not use drivers touting or soliciting for services or passengers. 

(65) Refer Part E of this Procedure for use of ground transport loyalty memberships. 

Air Travel 

(66) In consultation with the TMC, legitimate considerations when calculating the most practical fare of the day include:   

  1. the length of the itinerary (total flying time); 
  2. health and safety of the University traveller(s); 
  3. cumulative transit times; 
  4. timing of essential business appointments where this is not at the discretion of the University traveller
  5. connecting services;  
  6. the purpose of travel; and 
  7. the University's preferred airlines. 

(67) Refer to Part E of this Procedure for use of airline loyalty memberships. 

(68) Where there are ancillary services available for inclusion at the time of making an airline booking (e.g., seat choice, meals, baggage, Wi-Fi, priority boarding, entertainment, lounge access), only inclusions consistent with the SEE principles will be funded by the University. Addition of any discretionary ancillaries is a private cost and must be paid for by the University traveller, directly to the travel provider at the time of booking.  Refer to SECTION 8 Part H for more information about expenses when travelling. 

Part G - Accommodation

(69) SEE principles are to be applied in the choice of accommodation. Accommodation must supply a safe and secure environment, be conveniently located to the location of the essential business activities and be economically sensible. 

(70) Refer to Part E of this Procedure for use of accommodation loyalty memberships. 

(71) University travellers must book accommodation through the TMC if suitable accommodation is available.  Any accommodation available through the TMC’s OBT may be booked, provided it aligns with the SEE principles.  See also SECTION 8. 

(72) University travellers may book accommodation in well-known online accommodation marketplaces (such as Airbnb), provided they:  

  1. make the booking through the TMC; 
  2. book an entire property; and  
  3. take all measures to ensure their safety and assist the University in exercising its duty of care. 

(73) If suitable accommodation is not available through the TMC, accommodation should be booked at properties that are (listed in preferred order): 

  1. commercial establishments i.e., licenced hotels, motels and serviced apartments; 
  2. booked through a reputable agent who can demonstrate that maintenance, safety and call out services are offered. 

(74) Exceptions to the above may be approved under exceptional circumstances.  Refer to SECTION 9. 

(75) University travellers using accommodation must familiarise themselves with the safety and security features of the property including emergency exits, alarms, smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, and emergency contact numbers of the host or reception, on arrival. 

(76) For domestic travel, the daily accommodation charge should not exceed the local accommodation guide provided for the mid-tier annual salary range within the current ATO Taxation Determination for ‘Reasonable Travel and Overtime Meal Allowance Expense Amounts’. Exceptions to these limits will be considered in accordance with SECTION 9 where there is no alternative that facilitates the SEE principles. 

Top of Page

Section 8 - Paying for Travel

Part H - Allowable Expenses Whilst Travelling

(77) Staff using a University corporate card while travelling must follow the University Purchasing Card Policy and Procedures and/or Companion Card Procedure and their associated documents. 

(78) The University will only pay for or reimburse essential business expenses incurred on the provision of a receipt. Where an expense is incurred in Australia an Australian Tax Office compliant tax invoice must be kept.  

(79) The University will not pay for charges incurred where the trip approval was based on the University traveller using loyalty membership benefits for the goods or services bought. University travellers will not receive reimbursement from the University for loyalty benefits utilised in during the course of University travel. 

(80) Typical essential business expenses include: 

  1. conference fees; 
  2. visa, vaccination costs (where recommended by DFAT, World Health Organisation, health professional specialising in travel medicine and advice) and related medical expenses; 
  3. mileage for private vehicle use (no other private vehicle costs are reimbursable); 
  4. transport costs to/from airport; 
  5. airfares (where bought through the TMC or reimbursed if exceptional circumstances apply) and any domestic airfares whilst overseas if unable to book through the appointed TMC; 
  6. ground transportation costs such as public transport or hire car fees, fuel used in hire cards, and parking; 
  7. hotel accommodation, including any hotel service fees; 
  8. excess baggage relating to University items that are must be carried as part of University business
  9. meals and incidental charges such as: 
    1. business related communication requirements, such as business telephone calls and, where approved, global roaming usage and internet access;  
    2. tips or gratuities, where a set percentage service charge is added to the bill in an overseas country where it is culturally expected and appropriate. 

(81) The combined daily meals and incidental charges, both domestically and internationally, should not exceed the reasonable travel expense amounts specified in the ATO ‘Reasonable Allowances’ Taxation determination for the current year (for the mid-range salary).  

(82) Expenditure that is not directly related to the conduct of travel activities is subject to application of the University Procurement Policy and associated documents prior to undertaking travel. Examples include equipment, venue hire, and consultancies.  

(83) Only business related expenses with valid supporting documentation will be met by the University. Expenses incurred on a University corporate card that are not confirmed with supporting documentation will have to be reimbursed by the traveller within 30 days of the charge being incurred.  

(84) Except for airfares as per clause 90, the University will not pay for any expenses related to private travel days.

Accounting Treatment of Travel Expenses 

(85) Typically: 

  1. non-refundable travel costs will be expensed in the year that the payment for the travel cost is made;
  2. refundable travel costs will be expensed in the year the travel is taken.  

External Grants 

(86) Travel funded through external grant arrangements must follow the terms and conditions of the grant. Where there is an inconsistency between the terms of the external grant and the University's Travel Policy and Travel Procedure, the terms of the external grant, with respect to travel, shall prevail except where doing so compromises the health and/or safety of the University traveller.  

(87) If the grant is silent on travel terms, the University's Travel Policy and this Procedure will apply.

Part I - Expenses Not Allowable While Travelling

(88) University travellers must not claim cost reimbursement for items of a personal or private nature, including but not limited to the following: 

  1. lounge, loyalty, or frequent flyer program fees; 
  2. minibar, bar and alcoholic beverage costs, health spas, saunas, massages, and similar expenditures;
  3. in-room/external movies or other forms of personal entertainment; 
  4. laundry for business trips of five nights or less; 
  5. passports;
  6. excess luggage where not required for University business;
  7. toiletries, cosmetics, and non-emergency medication (including Band-Aids and non-prescription medication and prescriptions known to be required in advance of travel commencing); 
  8. clothing unless required to meet work health and safety requirements; 
  9. costs associated with family members or other accompanying travelers except where approved under clause (90); 
  10. tips that are not dictated by national custom. For clarity, tips are not an allowable expense within Australia; 
  11. otherwise allowable expenses that by cost or quantity would be considered inappropriate by a reasonable person. 

Accompanied Travel 

(89) Accompanied travel is allowed provided that: 

  1. supervisor approval has been received prior to making any commitments;  
  2. the standard at which University business is performed will not be affected; and
  3. any expenses incurred for the accompanied travel are privately funded except where a Division or College provides support for accompanying dependents and carers to enable equitable participation by staff with carer responsibilities.

(90) Where accompanied travel occurs, unrelated to staff with carer responsibilities, the University will only fund the equivalent cost for one person. Where there are meals or other charges the lowest value invoiced item will be reimbursed.

(91) Support provided to a traveller with carer responsibilities must be agreed in writing and approved by an international travel approver (see Delegations Register) in advance of travel costs and associated fringe benefits tax being incurred. Discussion with the Insurance team within Governance and Assurance Services must also occur to confirm appropriate cover.

(92) In all instances the maximum reimbursement restrictions outlined elsewhere in this Procedure will apply. 

Part J - Personal Contribution to Travel Costs

(93) Where there is a private component to an airfare that is being paid for using University funds, the following personal contributions apply and must be made at the time of travel booking:

Private Travel < Business Travel No personal contribution to primary airfare
Private Travel = Business Travel 50% contribution to primary airfares.
Private Travel > Business Travel 100% payment for primary airfares with an expense claim for business related component.

(94) Airfares for travel legs that are 100% private are paid for by the traveller.

(95) Private travel occurring as part of a trip paid for using third party funding must be allowable under the grant conditions.

(96) The University traveller must personally fund any additional costs incurred on a trip due to private travel plans, i.e. accommodation, meals, ground transport.

Top of Page

Section 9 - Exemptions

(97) All trips greater than 180 days are considered an exemption due to being outside of scope for travel and workers compensation insurance purposes, as well as taxation and workplace health and safety implications.

(98) Where the circumstances of a trip require deviation from the travel Procedure the University traveller may seek an exemption. The documented exemption request must have reference to the section of this Procedure to which it applies, the proposed alternative, and the measures taken to ensure the proposed alternative meets the SEE principles. The exemption request must be endorsed by the University traveller's organisational unit leader and approved by the Chief Financial Officer (or their nominee).  

(99) Depending on the specific facts and circumstances the exemption may require additional workplace health and safety review, insurance, tax and / or foreign interference considerations. University travellers must allow adequate time for these considerations when making such requests. 

(100) The purpose of obtaining approval for an exemption is to ensure that the SEE principles are met through the alternative arrangement and to confirm that operational requirements cannot be met by applying the requirements in this Procedure. 

Emergency Bookings and Amendments of in progress trips 

(101) An emergency booking or amendment occurs when a traveller needs new or amended travel arrangements due to an emergency. 

(102) An emergency booking or amendment will be considered ‘approved’ for TMC purposes. A notification will be sent to the University for retrospective approval or rejection by the approver. If the request is rejected, expenses associated with the emergency booking or amendment will have to be reimbursed by the traveller within 30 days of the charges being incurred. 

Top of Page

Section 10 - Roles and Responsibilities

Part K - Approver Responsibilities

(103) Prior to committing to expenditure, an appropriate approver must confirm that the travel is in accordance with all relevant: 

  1. the travel principles;
  2. University policies and procedures;  
  3. relevant legislation; 
  4. relevant contract requirements including grant funding agreements; and 
  5. the SEE principles outlined in the Travel Policy, including ensuring that individuals whose travel is not booked via the University Travel Management Company are registered with ISOS through the MyTrips website or mobile devices app. 

(104) Approvers must also be aware that the travel insurance policy does not provide cover for any expenses incurred in relation to COVID 19 caused disruptions to travel and if incurred these costs will be charged back to the relevant business unit.

Part L - University Traveller Responsibilities

(105) For trips undertaken by University travellers the following must be addressed by the University traveller or through instruction to a travel arranger: 

  1. provide documentation needed to substantiate the University business purpose of the trip as needeed in SECTION 6 of this Procedure; 
  2. attach evidence of due diligence processes and risk assessments carried out for the proposed travel and business activity, this may require the use of standard templates and forms as determined in associated policies, procedures, or guidelines; 
  3. retain evidence of business expenditure by submitting images and/ or the originals for all travel related receipts or tax invoices; 
  4. if the pre-approved travel diary has changed during the trip, submit the updated travel diary to the relevant approver for approval within 10 business days from the return date;
  5. book private days as leave; 
  6. ensure funds are acquitted within the stipulated time frames, in accordance with the Purchasing Card Policy and Procedures
  7. the acquittal for all travel expenses must identify the travel requisition number that each travel expense refers to; 
  8. ensure while travelling that any risk mitigation activities identified through the risk assessment processes are fully undertaken. Where new risks are identified, or mitigation strategies are found to be insufficient the University traveller must reconsider the destination and activity risk and act appropriately; 
  9. log any deviations from approved and recorded travel plans as soon as possible with iSOS.
Top of Page

Section 11 - Definitions

(106) In the context of this document:

Defined Term Meaning
accompanied travel travel with family members or private guests accompanying the University traveller who do not otherwise have any other University business related reason to be travelling. 
active approval occurs when intervention is required by an approver to allow a transaction to continue through the workflow. 
airplus virtual credit cards used by the University's TMC to make payments for travel services. 
employee a person who is classified as staff who is remunerated by the University through the payroll system and processes. 
executive a member of the Executive Committee. 
high risk travel travel to a high-risk destination and / or travel that incorporates high risk activities and / or travel where there is an elevated risk of foreign interference
location specific University business that where the benefits from the activity undertaken are only able to be fully achieved by being in the travel destination. If the University business only consists of activities that could be just as effectively executed at the home campus the day is considered a private travel day. 
low risk research comprises low risk activities that occur in a low-risk environment. Environments or activities that require specific operating procedures, protective equipment, induction, or security are generally not considered low risk
most practical fare of the day the lowest fare at the time of booking, which facilitates operational requirements and the SEE principles outlined in the Travel Policy
Online Booking Tool (OBT) the portal in which travellers or travel arrangers make travel bookings including flights, accommodation, and care hire. The OBT is a component of the Travel Management System.
passive approval system driven automatic approvals to enable the workflow to progress without manual intervention. 
point to point travel from a University campus to a transit hub plus one further travel transit point. For example, a trip that consisted of continuous travel from Newcastle to Sydney and one flight to another city would be considered point to point. Where transit is broken by a stopover requiring exit from the airport, it is no longer point to point travel.
preferred hire car suppliers suppliers accessible for bookings through the TMC or OBT. 
private component the portion of travel days that do not have a location specific business requirement or are not otherwise unavoidable travel days. It is expressed as a percentage of the travel, calculated by dividing the number of private days by the number of total trip days. 
private day any day which is not an unavoidable travel day, or does not contain location specific University business. Private days also include paid and unpaid leave, personal travel time, and travel to and from private travel destinations. 
private travel travel time and costs incurred for private purposes only. Private travel includes travel to a destination which is a deviation from the most practical route for business purposes that adds additional travel days or cost to the trip. 
senior employee is a staff member who is the highest-ranking, paid employee, in a group based on the University organisational structure. In groups where more than one person is at the same level this role will need to be nominated within the group of most senior staff.
travel diary
A document that records the following details for business related activities:
- date;
- location;
- nature of business related activity;
- start and finish time;
- total duration.
Travel Hub The TMC’s central travel hub is where traveller’s and travel arrangers should begin their travel journey. The hub steps the traveller through the required travel forms, health and safety information, and how to make a travel booking (including the pre-trip approval process). It also has all the latest information on visas and travel from around the world.
Travel Management Company (TMC) the travel agent appointed by the University to book air travel, accommodation, rental cars and other travel related services on behalf of the University
Travel Management System (TMS) the software system/s used to manage travel requests and bookings. The Travel Management System includes a workflow component for pre-trip approval, an OBT, dashboard and reporting. 
unavoidable travel day days which, due to necessity rather than University business or the choice of the traveller, form part of the total trip duration. Examples of unavoidable travel include transit days, rest days where taken as part of an agreed health and safety risk management plan, travel delays caused by travel providers, set up and pack down periods before and after events / conferences / meetings, weekends or public holidays immediately proceeded and succeeded by approved University business days. 
University business days Days on which the predominant purpose is locations specific; and ‘unavoidable’ travel days. A weekend day, public holiday or concession day is considered a University business day when there is approved, location-specific, unavoidable business activity required to be undertaken on that day or on the working days imnmediately before and after.