Academic promotion

Academic promotion aims to recognise and reward individual performance and leadership in academic work at the University. Academic work includes learning and teaching, research and creativity, and leadership, engagement and academic citizenship.

Academic promotion is aligned to the strategic goals and priorities of the University, together with our living values of inclusion, innovation, excellence, empowerment and collaboration.

The Academic Promotion (Higher Education) procedure applies to applicants seeking promotion to academic levels B, C, D and E.

New for 2026

➡️ This year’s academic promotion process includes several updates, informed by feedback from both applicants and panellists last year. These changes include clearer procedural guidance and the re-introduction of an ‘overall case for promotion’ section across all application forms.

➡️ In addition, our Institute Pro Vice-Chancellors will host two ‘What is the panel looking for?’ webinars. These sessions will cover how to demonstrate impact, examples of strong evidence at each level, and advice on writing a case for Achievement Relative to Opportunity (ARO). You can register for these sessions via the ‘Key dates’ section below

We strongly recommend that all potential applicants review the summary of changes (PDF, 144kb) and familiarise themselves with the full updated Academic Promotion (Higher Education) Procedure before applying.

Be sure to also check the updated Academic promotion criteria framework (PDF, 214kb), which now includes reference to Co-op.

ℹ️ File access note
PDFs open in your browser. Word and Excel documents download automatically and can be found in your Downloads folder.

Before you apply

1.	Ensure you meet the Academic Promotion eligibility criteria
2.	Familiarise yourself with the Academic Promotion (Higher Education) Procedure
3.	Discuss your intention to submit with your people leader and/or Deputy Dean (or equivalent)
	Things to discuss include: what type of application should you be submitting? Combined or focused? are you ready for promotion? who will mentor you in the academic promotion process and provide you feedback on your application before submission? Level C only – who will you ask to be your referee? Level D and E only – who will you nominate as potential independent assessor(s)? what documentation and/or data can you provide as evidence of achievement and impact to support your application? is your data up to date in IRMA/Web of Science? have you completed a Three-year research plan? (Required for ‘Combined’ and ‘Focused – research and creativity’ applications only) have you accessed your latest SELT/SFS scores? (Required for ‘Combined’ and ‘Focused – learning and teaching’ applications only) should you include a case for achievement relative to opportunity?
4.	Attend an Academic promotion information session
5.	Complete the online Intention to submit form by 26 June 2026.

How to apply

1.	Complete the appropriate application form for your level: Academic promotion - application template - Level B.dotx Academic promotion - application template - Level C.dotx Academic promotion - application template - Level D and E.dotx
	Tips for your application: ensure you describe not just your achievements, but also the impact of your achievements allow a minimum of three weeks to obtain your Head of Discipline's^* report (Levels B and C) or Deputy Dean’s^* report (Levels D and E) Level C only – ensure you have included your referee Levels D and E only – ensure you have submitted a completed Independent assessor nomination form (docx, 153kb) to your Deputy Dean^* check that you’ve completed all sections and adhered to the word limits seek feedback from a mentor, your people leader and/or other experienced applicant on your application before you submit. ^*or equivalent
2.	Complete your Academic promotion - curriculum vitae template.dotx
3.	Prepare your supporting evidence document in accordance with the requirements of the Academic Promotion (Higher Education) Procedure (NB: Supporting evidence is not required for Level B applications).
4.	Submit your completed application form, CV and supporting evidence as a single PDF via email to od@federation.edu.au by 5:00 pm on 21 August 2026.

Supporting documents

Forms

Procedure

Academic Promotion (Higher Education) Procedure

Resources

Academic-promotion-criteria-framework.pdf
Academic-promotion-conflict-of-interest-guidance.pdf
Teaching expectations for academic staff.pdf
ERA 2018 results.xlsx
InCites research areas - 2020–2024.xlsx
Research performance and reporting web page
Email od@federation.edu.au or execdean.ieac@federation.edu.au for additional resources for women academics.

Troubleshooting

Webinars

Key dates - all levels (B–E)

Event	Date
Intention to submit*	15–26 June 2026
Call – applications open	29 June 2026
Information sessions	📝Register for the Academic promotion info session: Wed, 20 May, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm 📝Register for the Academic promotion info session: Tue, 26 May, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
'What is the panel looking for?' - hosted by Institute PVCs	📝Register for What is the panel looking for? session: Tue, 2 Jun, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm 📝Register for What is the panel looking for? session: Thu, 11 Jun, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Research DIY	📝Register for the Research DIY session: Tue, 16 Jun, 9:30 am – 10:30 am 📝Register for the Research DIY session: Wed, 24 Jun, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
SELT/SFS DIY	📝Register for the SELT/SFS DIY session: Thu, 25 Jun, 10:00 am – 11:00 am 📝Register for the SELT/SFS DIY session: Wed, 1 Jul, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Applications close	21 August 2026 at 5:00 pm
Committee meetings	During September/October 2026
Outcomes communicated	Late November 2026
Promotions into effect	1 January 2027
*You must respond to the ‘Intention to submit’ survey if you are planning to apply for academic promotion this year.