(1) This Procedure supports the Travel Policy and provides instructions regarding Travel for Business for Macquarie University and its Controlled Entities (the University). (2) This Procedure applies to all Macquarie University professional, academic, and research staff, all staff of controlled entities, students, volunteers, and all authorised contractors across all campuses and locations of the University. This includes anyone who incurs travel and/or travel-related expenses paid for by the University, regardless of the funding source and includes the use of grants, consulting, or external funds. (3) Refer to the Travel Policy. (4) A summary of key roles and responsibilities is provided in Table 1: High Level Roles and Responsibilities: (5) For any questions or concerns related to travel, contact the University’s Strategic Procurement Team via travelright@mq.edu.au. (6) Travellers may be required to complete a Travel Risk Assessment prior to travel. For further information, refer to the TravelRight webpage. (7) When booking travel via the University’s Travel Management Company, the approved travel costs (airfares, Transaction Fees, and some accommodation) will be charged to the central Business Travel Account and then allocated to the Traveller’s cost centre. (8) The University’s Credit Card is the preferred method of payment for travel related expenses when travelling and, where possible, should be used for all relevant expenditure. (9) Travellers who have a University Credit Card: (10) Travellers who do not have a University Credit Card: (11) A Travel Advance and a Per Diem cannot be claimed for the same period of travel. (12) Travel Advances must be acquitted against the expenses actually incurred, with unused money repaid to the University. (13) Where expenses exceed the Travel Advance or Per Diem, and a Traveller has maintained receipts showing expenses, reimbursement of the excess will be made. (14) Other reimbursement of expenses following travel may only occur when a University Credit Card is not available and a Per Diem allowance or Travel Advance has not been claimed prior to travel. (15) Travellers are not permitted to use personal credit cards to purchase airline tickets and reimbursement in such cases will not occur. (16) Refer to the Travel Advance and Per Diem Allowance in Schedule 2 Forms of Payment and their Applicability for further information. (17) Travel involving a Group of Travellers and/or students must have a minimum ratio of supervisors to Travellers / students of one (1) to eight(8). Supervisors who are travelling must nominate a back-up supervisor prior to departure and advise the Course Convenor, PhD Supervisor or equivalent within their course or program of the back-up supervisor’s details. Any Group not meeting these requirements will be required to seek additional approval from the relevant Executive Dean or a member of the Executive Group. (18) Groups of Travellers and/or students should include as many First Aiders as practicable. When travelling to Remote or Rural Locations Groups of Travellers and/or students must meet the minimum First Aider requirements as per Table 2: Group Travel – Remote or Rural Location First Aider Requirement. (19) First Aiders must be trained in remote first aid. (20) A pre-departure briefing is required for all travel involving a Group of Travellers and/or students. The briefing must be conducted by an Authorising Officer. (21) No more than two members of the University’s Executive Group or two members of an Executive team from a Faculty or Office are to travel in the same aircraft or vehicle at the same time, unless there are exceptional circumstances that are assessed and approved in writing by the Vice-Chancellor or their nominee. (22) Unless the Authorising Officer or Manager / Supervisor expressly withholds approval, pre-travel approval is not required for Domestic and Trans-Tasman travel, however Travellers must: (23) All international travel, regardless of the source of funding, must be pre-approved by an Authorising Officer. Where the Traveller’s Authorising Officer is not their Manager / Supervisor, the Manager’s / Supervisor’s endorsement must be obtained. (24) Travel approval requests must be submitted via the Online Booking Tool, which will retain the approvals for recordkeeping and audit purposes. (25) If the Online Booking Tool is not available, travel approvals must be in the form specified in Appendix 1 Travel Approval Template (email is acceptable) and be retained for record keeping and audit purposes. (26) For guidance on how Dual-Purpose Travel arrangements operate refer to Appendix 2 Dual-Purpose Travel Calculator. (27) A University Corporate Travel Insurance policy is in place to provide cover for all Travellers travelling on official University business. For further information refer to the University’s Insurable Risk Policy and Insurable Risk Guideline. (28) Traveller Profiles must be created and maintained for all travellers. Refer to the TravelRight webpage for instructions. (29) Travellers / Travel Arrangers must book travel by the using the University’s preferred Travel Management Company Online Booking Tool or the Travel Consultants. (30) For further details on booking travel (including specific requirements for students) refer to the TravelRight webpage. (31) Travellers must ensure that they have the contact details of International SOS, Emergency Services, their Authorising Officer, Course Convenor, PhD Supervisor, or equivalent and that they have provided a communication plan in case of an emergency or incident. Whenever there is a need for an emergency or incident response, the following steps must be followed: (32) Travellers must reconcile and submit their expenses in accordance with the Credit Card Policy. (33) Travel Advances must be substantiated with original tax invoices and receipts within one (1) month of the date the expenditure has been incurred. For further information refer to the Cash or Travel Advance webpage. (34) A Travel Diary must be completed for all international travel, for domestic travel of five (5) consecutive nights or more, and for all Dual-Purpose travel of any duration. The Travel Diary must be completed within five (5) days of each period of travel and retained by the Traveller for record keeping and audit purposes. (35) For further information, refer to Appendix 3 Travel Diary Template. (36) All claims under the University’s Corporate Travel Insurance must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the date of the occurrence of the incident in accordance with the Insurable Risk Policy and Insurable Risk Guideline. (37) The Travel Management Company provides leisure travel services and access to the University Preferred Supplier discounts to University staff. For further information on how to make a leisure booking, refer to the TravelRight webpage. (38) Travellers may accumulate and retain frequent flyer and loyalty program points and status credits whilst undertaking Travel for Business, providing the Traveller is personally responsible for any associated membership costs and other tax liabilities. (39) Supplier selection must not be influenced by the consideration of a frequent flyer or loyalty program if it is detrimental to the University. (40) Where a Traveller seeks to obtain an airline lounge membership funded by the University, this must be approved by an Authorising Officer. Travellers should forward the approval to travelright@mq.edu.au and request airline lounge membership at the corporate rate where available. (41) Depending on the University’s preferred airline carriers, University staff members may be able to access the corporate airline lounge membership rates for personal use. (42) For Travellers who conduct six (6) or more periods of Travel for Business per year, the University will reimburse the cost of trolleys, suitcases, bags, etc. that are purchased and used for the sole purpose of transporting materials, products, equipment, etc. whilst undertaking Travel for Business to the amount of up to $400, excl. GST, every two (2) years on presentation of a valid tax invoice and a signed declaration that the luggage is used for Travel for Business purposes. (43) For further information, refer to Appendix 4 Luggage Expenses Form. (44) Nil. (45) Definitions specific to this Procedure are contained in the Travel Policy and below:Travel Procedure
Section 1 - Purpose
Scope
Section 2 - Policy
Section 3 - Procedures
Roles and Responsibilities
University Contacts
Health, Safety and Security
Form of Payment
Group Travel
Approvals
Domestic and Trans-Tasman Travel Approvals
International Travel Approvals
Personal Days in Conjunction with Travel for Business: Dual-Purpose Travel
Insurance
Profiles
Traveller Profiles
Booking Travel
Undertaking Travel
Emergency or Incident Situations
Domestic Travellers:
International travellers:
Returning from Travel
Reconciling Travel Expenditure
Travel Diary
Insurance
Leisure Travel
Frequent Flyer and Loyalty Programs
Airline Lounge Memberships
Luggage
Section 4 - Guidelines
Section 5 - Definitions
View Document
This is the current version of this document. To view historic versions, click the link in the document's navigation bar.
Table 1: High Level Roles and Responsibilities
Traveller / Travel Arranger
a. The Traveller / Travel Arranger:
i. applies for a Credit Card, Travel Advance, or a Per Diem;
ii. complies with the applicable policies and procedures;
iii. obtains relevant approvals prior to booking travel;
iv. ensures that they:
possess a valid passport with a minimum 6-month validity beyond the intended return date;
have the relevant visas for the destination;
have the required vaccinations prior to travel;
v. submits relevant leave request (if applicable e.g., Personal Days, long service leave);
vi. books travel;
viii. completes and retains Travel Diary;
ix. pays the Travel Management Company 50% of the total airfare costs when the travel is deemed Dual- Purpose; and
x. reconciles and submits travel expenses
Authorising Officer and/or
Manager / Supervisor
b. The Authorising Officer and/or Manager / Supervisor:
i. ensures that travel is appropriate and necessary;
ii. ensures that travel is risk assessed for medical, security, activity, and any other risks; that those risks are controlled as far as reasonably practicable; and that this can be demonstrated by proof of record;
iii. seeks confirmation and ensures availability of funding;
iv. approves:
Credit Card applications;
Travel requests;
Travel Diaries;
Leave requests; and/or
Expenses.
Travel Management Company
c. The Travel Management Company:
i. provides:
travel advice and services via Online Booking Tool, Consultants, and the Groups Team;
advice on the type of tickets, the inclusions such as luggage, seating, and any restrictions;
guidance and assistance with any matters relating to vaccinations, visas, and other customs and immigration requirements;
ii. facilitates travel in accordance with the provisions of the Travel Policy and this Procedure;
iii. books and provides tickets for the approved travel;
iv. provides advice on travel bookings and process improvement; and
v. reports to the University on the travel spend as agreed.
Travel Category Manager
d. The Travel Category Manager:
i. manages the travel category and travel suppliers effectively and appropriately;
ii. ensures that value for money is delivered to the University;
iii. actively participates in the University Procurement Hub Travel Category;
iv. manages exception approvals; and
v. serves as an escalation point with the Travel Management Company and travel suppliers.
Purchasing Manager, Finance or nominee
e. The Purchasing Manager, Finance or nominee:
i. ensures that approval is submitted for Credit Card applications;
ii. processes the online Credit Card application;
iii. monitors appropriate usage of Credit Cards; and
iv. assists with facilitation of exception approvals.
Table 2: Group Travel – Remote or Rural Location First Aider Requirement
Group size
Minimum Requirements
Up to 10
1 Remote or Rural Location First Aider
11 to 20
1 Remote or Rural Location First Aiders + 1 First Aider
21 to 40
2 Remote or Rural Location First Aiders + 1 First Aider for every 10 people over 20