Removal & Relocation Services for New Staff
Introduction:
ECU provides a range of 'value-for-money' services to designated newly appointed staff that will ensure the safe and secure transfer of themselves, family and agreed personal items to Perth, from anywhere in the world.
It is totally at the discretion of ECU to nominate, prior to undertaking any recruitment activities, those positions and/or successful applicants that are eligible to be considered for relocation assistance.
These services include:
- Travel - all arrangements associated with the transport of appointee and family to Perth.
- Removal - all arrangements associated with the packing, insurance, transport, storage and unpacking of household and personal effects.
- Relocation - a range of orientation services that assist an appointee and family to establish themselves in a new city including temporary accommodation on arrival, home search, job search for partner, school search and social networking.
The quality and attention that the university can give to meeting the needs of a new staff member and making their relocation a success will affirm the appointee's decision to work at ECU, assist in stabilising life outside the workplace and enable the person to be focussed and motivated.
The University does not prescribe limits on budget, quality, type or amount of support available to new staff, however it has the Recruitment - Removal & Relocation Expense policy that provides a set of guidelines that are indicative service levels that may be varied. Variations are at the discretion and approval of the Line Executive in accordance with the HR Delegations. It is regarded that these decisions will be based upon the specific circumstances, negotiation with the appointee and budget allocation.
To achieve value for money, the University along with Curtin, Murdoch and UWA, have established a preferred provider agreement with CROWN RELOCATIONS who will undertake all removal and relocation services for ECU. This has resulted in significant benefits for the university and the services available to the appointee.
Note: 'Settling-In Allowance' has been removed from the Academic Staff EBA and is now not an entitlement for new appointees. The University has made available a discretionary Relocation Support Service.
Service Levels
As a general guide, and depending on the specific recruitment circumstance, the University may offer:
- Travel Support of economy class airfares for the person and dependent family members or the equivalent value contributed for rail/road.
- Removal Support of 20 cubic metres for a single person or 30 cubic metres (One Sea Container) for a person and family.
- Transport of one motor vehicle (Interstate only)
- Insurance coverage to the value of $AUS40,000 for household and personal effects only, not including valuables/collectibles, motor vehicles/boats etc., fuels, flora and fauna.
- Relocation Support Service budget of $1,500 for accommodation on arrival or other agreed services* including:
- Orientation Tour
- Home Search
- Education Consultation
- Partner Career Support Service
- Furniture Rental
* These services are available from CROWN RELOCATIONS on a 'fee for service' basis. The relevant Line Executive (under the HR Delegations) may approve to purchase these services in replacement of, or in addition to, accommodation. The appointee will be made aware of the services and given the option to purchase at their own cost.
While an over-riding intent of this guideline is for removal and relocation expenses to be minimised and value-for-money, it can be counter-productive to be too restrictive on the budget. Providing a constructive, 'issue-free' relocation that enables the appointee to 'settle in' more easily is worth the investment.
CROWN RELOCATIONS have been briefed on the standard level of service available to new appointees and will provide the person with the range of value added services. They require authorisation by the Employing Authority (e.g. Head of School) before varying any of the standard services.
Availability of Removal and Relocation Assistance
The offer of assistance to an appointee is at the discretion of the relevant line executive and subject to approval in accordance with the HR Delegations. An appointee does not have an entitlement to assistance and, in all cases where assistance is being offered, the amount of assistance and type of assistance is to be negotiated and agreed at the time of offer and prior to acceptance of the employment contract.
If assistance is considered appropriate, the relevant line executive should ensure that budgetary allocation has been included in the total recruitment costs.
Generally, appointees to ongoing positions and fixed term contracts of 3 years or more may receive the standard level of service.
For senior roles and roles where there is high labour-market demand it may be a recruitment strategy to offer more than the standard.
For roles of a shorter duration, limited by budget etc. the Employing Authority may offer a reduced level of support according to their judgment of the employment conditions and circumstances.
Important: All staff that receive removal and relocation support will be subject to a 'bonding' arrangement, whereby they will be responsible for reimbursement of funds if they do not complete the specified qualifying period stated in the employment contract.
Managing Removal & Relocation
Step 1 The Relevant Line Executive or person responsible for the vacancy should determine a budget estimate for removal and relocation prior to commencing the recruitment process contingent on the likely acquisition of someone interstate or overseas.
Step 2 As part of the Selection Report for the vacancy, the Chairperson and Selection Panel will define the level of service and allocated budget for removal and relocation to be offered to the recommended applicant.
As part of the Recruitment & Selection process this will require approval and be forwarded to the Recruitment Unit.
Step 3 The Recruitment Unit will arrange the letter of offer and contract containing the necessary removal and relocation details/terms. The appointee will be informed that, in anticipation of their acceptance, ECU's preferred provider will be in contact to arrange all agreed removal and relocation requirements.
The Recruitment Unit will forward an order request to CROWN RELOCATIONS to commence the service. The CROWN RELOCATION's Account Manager will liaise directly with the appointee to facilitate the various services.
If there are any issues or discrepancies associated with the removal and relocation, the Account Manager will discuss these directly with the University employing authority (e.g.. Head of School/Manager) and seek resolution.
Step 4 The University employing authority (e.g.. Head of School/Manager) will ensure all arrangements are in place for the arrival of the new staff member and have the induction planned.
Service Contacts
For any information on service levels etc. please contact either:
Janelle Green OR ECU Account Manager Crown Relocations 9351 7100 jgreen@crownrelo.com
