Professional Development Opportunities


“Professional Development includes the provision of learning and development opportunities and activities to extend and broaden the scope of professional capabilities of employees in relation to their role and responsibilities.“ (Professional Development Policy)

Western’s Work Planning and Career Development process is outlined in the Staff Enterprise Agreements and in the Professional Development Policy. Further information can be found in the Continuing Professional Development Guidelines.

This process aims to provide staff with the guidance, direction, and support to navigate the various career pathways and development opportunities, and to help with aligning work to the University's strategy and goals.

Staff Scholarships

Staff Scholarships reflect the University's commitment to attract, retain, reward, and recognise talented staff, and to build a leadership capability and expertise.

Visit the Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Development Scholarships and Staff Postgraduate Coursework Study Scholarships pages for further information on scholarship guidelines and application forms.

Mentoring Program

Please note that the Mentoring Program for 2025 has been postponed. For those that have already submitted an Expression of Interest for this year's Program, we thank you for your interest and ask that you keep monitoring communications for an update.

Whilst there has been some success in the Mentoring Program offered in previous years, it is timely to consider mentoring's role in helping to deliver the University's Strategy and the People Strategy both due to be launched in 2025. We are committed to providing meaningful professional development that supports the entire workforce. Therefore, it is timely, to suspend legacy programs such as mentoring until we have properly considered their utility and purpose.

The Professional Development Team will provide updates on Viva Engage and on the OD webpage. If you wish to discuss this, please contact OD@westernsydney.edu.au.

Career Development for Academic Staff (Online)

This online module has been developed specifically for academic staff members who wish to learn about a methodology for developing and furthering their career within an academic environment. A comprehensive range of information and tools is provided to assist you in this process.

For further information search for Career Development for Academic Staff in MyCareer.

Sessional Academic Staff - Professional Development Guidelines

The guidelines have been developed in response to the recent changes in Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice Award criterion regarding professional development planning for long-term casual staff.  Western Sydney University has a longstanding and strong commitment to gender equality. As a leader in this area, the University recognises that women are often disproportionately affected by casualisation. Therefore, the University has introduced a new provision which offers up to 7 hours of paid professional development annually to sessional academics who have worked at least 5 hours per week for at least 3 teaching sessions within the last 24 months.

For further information please see the Guidelines and Professional Development Plan for Sessional Academic Staff (DOCX, 1061.33 KB) (opens in a new window).

Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards

The Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards were initiated in 2002 to showcase the endeavours and accomplishments of staff and students and to most importantly, publicly reward, recognise and encourage their excellent performance and achievements. The awards support staff and students in continuing to develop and grow within the University and will position Western Sydney University as an employer and service provider serious about the quality of everything it does.

Staff are eligible for nomination in all categories, and students are eligible for nomination in the Excellence in University Sustainability and Excellence in University Engagement categories.

For further information please see Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Awards (opens in a new window).

Churchill Fellowships

Each year the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust offers a number of Fellowships to support Australians whose expertise has progressed to the point where an overseas research project would be of value in improving their contribution to their field and the Australian community. The Fellowships are open to both Professional and Academic Staff.

For further information please see the Churchill Fellowships (opens in a new window) site.

Academic Development Program (ADP)

A provision for eligible academic staff to undertake a sustained period of academic development to pursue research; acquire new skills and knowledge; or to develop ongoing partnerships that will benefit the University. Tenured members of the academic staff of the University will, under normal circumstances, be eligible to apply for ADP if they have completed at least three years continuous service - however please read relevant section of the ADP Policy - Eligibility to Undertake ADP (opens in a new window).

For further information please see the Academic Development Program.

Leadership Development

The University recognises the talents of its people and is committed to developing the capabilities and skills of its leaders. Leaders at the University are expected to act as role models for the kinds of values and behaviours expected of all staff. These values include:

  • Having high ethical and professional standards
  • Being transparent, accountable and responsible for our actions
  • Committed to the mission and values of the University
  • Engaging with our people and the community
  • Engendering a culture of service and dedicated to meeting the needs of our students, clients and stakeholders.

A range of courses are available, as part of the Leadership and Management Development topic area, to provide for the enhancement of leadership capabilities.