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Benefits of working for the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
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Health and wellbeing benefits
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Benefits of working for the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Our terms and conditions of employment are very competitive:
- Standard working day of 7 hours and 30 minutes
- Flexible working hours
- Four weeks annual leave
- A range of family-friendly policies
- Encouragement to maintain a healthy work/life balance
- Generous employer-sponsored superannuation
- Shutdown between Christmas and New Year's Eve
People are the key to our success. The Department values its employees and provides them with great benefits. Click on the options below to see why our Department is such a great place to work:
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Learning and development opportunities
We are committed to the learning and development of our employees. The Department makes a significant investment in its employees through its strategic investment in learning and development programs and initiatives. To help employees gain the specific skills and capabilities their job requires, the Department runs a number of learning and development programs and initiatives. These learning and development programs are Corporately funded with a significant number of programs run throughout the year. Learning and development is managed in a structured and strategic way to ensure that employees are attending programs which provide them (and, in turn, the Department) with relevant skills and knowledge. We have divided learning and development into three areas: Capability Development; Management & Leadership and SES Learning & Development. Some examples of the types of learning and development programs open to all our employees and run throughout the year are:
- Fundamental Writing Skills in Innovation
- Speed Reading
- Presentation Skills
- Leading Teams
- Coaching Skills and Mentoring for Managers
- Masters of Public Policy (Industry) - in conjunction with the Australian National University (ANU).
We offer a range of online courses to assist new employees into the Department.The Department strongly emphasises employee interaction and involvement. Our learning and development strategy focuses on what our employees and the Department want and need. We continually develop and design new learning and development opportunities, using feedback from our employees to ensure that all learning and developments priorities are being met.
Performance and Development Network
Within the Department we have a Performance and Development (P&D) Network, which consists of representatives from each Division and provides a strategic and unified approach to performance and development issues across the Department. The P&D Network creates a forum for representatives from the whole portfolio to meet to discuss and share ideas about the Department's Performance Planning and Review (PPR) system and learning and development solutions.Our P&D Network members are drawn from every Division and IP Australia.
Within their own Divisions, Network representatives work closely with employees and their Division Head to identify specific performance management issues, skills and development needs in their Divisions; and organise and advertise Division-specific courses/programs. It is this knowledge and experience that they share with the Network.
The Secretary has emphasised the importance of, and commitment to, the continuous improvement of performance and development in the Department. Only through regular and critical self assessment do we ensure that our performance and development objectives, both organisational and individual, match our business needs.
Studies assistance
At the Department support is provided for our employees to undertake courses of study that will contribute to the improvement of their professional skills and knowledge relevant to their employment. Leave and financial assistance is available through the Department’s Studybank scheme.
We are committed to providing an environment in which employees are equipped to achieve career and professional development needs relevant to their employment. The Department's Studies Assistance Policy allows all ongoing employees to apply for studies assistance and makes a number of benefits available for our employees intending to undertake accredited study.
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Flexible workplace
At the Department we have a number of policies that are aimed at providing flexible working arrangements to enable our employees to balance work and personal commitments. The Department's goal is to provide a work environment that is enjoyable and rewarding and that facilitates a healthy work/life balance.
Family assistance arrangements
We acknowledge that many employees have to balance their family and work commitments. By providing a range of measures through it's Family Assistance Arrangement Policy the Department aims to assist employees in fulfilling these responsibilities. In addition a number of flexible options are available, in consultation with your manager.
Hours of work and flextime
We try to provide an environment in which our employees are able to gain access to flexible working arrangements at the work unit level that recognise client needs, work and personal commitments. We have a detailed Hours of Work and Flextime Policy, which includes options such as access to Flextime.
Part time work
We offer part time work arrangements and job share arrangements in appropriate circumstances and these are outlined in the Department's Part Time Work Policy and Agreement.
Home based work
Our Home Based Work Policy provides flexibility and choice to our employees and their managers in some situations concerning working arrangements that will better balance the demands of the workplace with personal circumstances at home.
Carers' information service
We provide carers' information and referral services to our employees about childcare, elder care and care for dependants with disabilities.
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Employee recognition
At the Department we value our employees and have a comprehensive recognition system to ensure they are encouraged and motivated. As part of this recognition system we have developed a People Recognition Framework which offers and encourages a number of Departmental, Divisional and Work Unit recognition and awards. The aim of the People Recognition Framework is to encourage and promote a culture where high performance is recognised.
Departmental level recognition
The Department's recognition awards include: People Management Awards, Australia Day Achievement Medallions and Leadership Awards.
- People Management Awards: Our People Management Award recognises non-SES managers/supervisors who have demonstrated excellent people management skills in one or more of the following categories:
- Effective team work and the appropriate delegation of responsibilities
- Enhancing skills and knowledge of staff including the development and following up of development needs identified by staff in their Individual Development Plans (IDP's)
- Valuing and using the diverse skills of staff
- Adhering to, and supporting, the Department's Performance Plan Review (PPR) Framework
- Facilitating staff achievement of a work/life balance.
- Australia Day Achievement Medallion: The Australia Day Achievement Medallions are part of the family of awards which include the Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Community of the Year. All employees (ongoing and non-ongoing) at all classification levels of the Department are eligible for nomination. This award recognises an individual or team achievement and/or contribution in one or more of the following categories
- Achievement or major contribution of the highest standard
- The achievement of more efficient processes, improved productivity or better service delivery that goes above and beyond the expectation for an individual or team role within the Department
- Noteworthy innovation in program, project or policy development
- Meeting significant changing requirements in a demanding and challenging job
- Consistently high, service excellence to the public, or to the Department’s external or internal clients.
- Leadership Awards: Our Leadership Award recognises individuals who enable and motivate others to achieve high performance. All staff at all levels of the Department are eligible to receive this award. Individuals nominated for this award meet the majority of the following criteria:
- Adherence to, and promotion of, the Department's and the APS values
- Creates a shared vision and sense of purpose
- Shapes strategic thinking and inspires a sense of purpose and direction for others
- Communicates clearly with individuals and groups
- Exemplifies personal drive and integrity by always remaining focused on objectives even in difficult times
- Cultivates productive working relationships through guidance, mentoring and development of others
- Achieves results through closure and delivery of intended results.
Divisional level recognition
Divisional level recognition/awards are awarded to teams and individuals who have achieved exemplary performance or service demonstrated through leadership, innovation or achievement in areas such as:
- Working with Others
- Striving for Improvement
- Achieving Results
- Accountability
- Stakeholder/Client Relationships
- Divisions are also free to create other awards that align with their needs, business priorities and culture.
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