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Research & Development Management

Murdoch University Consultancy Guidelines and Policy

MURDOCH UNIVERSITY CONSULTANCY POLICY: AN INTRODUCTION

Murdoch University recognises the potential of Consultancies to develop and maintain skills amongst staff and enable the University to contribute to industry and the wider community.

They represent a means by which University staff can increase their own remuneration, and to benefit the University via enhanced teaching, research or consulting capability. Also, where consultancies involve research, they may increase the level of funding support from DEST to the University. These flow-on benefits apply to the whole University across both campuses, and are important to the future development of Murdoch University.

It is also important to note the link between Staff engaging successfully in consultancies and the University’s staff promotion process.

What is a Consultancy?
A “Consultancy” covers the provision of professional services or advice by a Murdoch academic or member of staff to an external party, which may be provided in exchange for money or other consideration, or for no fee at all.

The Policy deals with three types of Consultancy: Private Consultancies; Community Service Activities; and University Consultancies. The Policy explains the differences between each.

Approval
All Consultancies can potentially pose liability, and other risks to both the Consultant and the University. Therefore, compliance with approval requirements, as set out in the Policy, is essential in order for the University to ascertain whether, and to what extent, you will be covered by the University’s worker’s compensation, public liability and professional indemnity insurances.

The Policy explains in detail the differing approval requirements for each type of consultancy, and the process for obtaining approval.

The following diagram summarises the approval processes for each, and is to be used in conjunction with the Policy.

A revised Consultancy Policy was approved by the VC in January 2007.

Click here for the new guidelines.