Staff Support Account (Bridging Accounts)

Staff Support Accounts (formerly known as Bridging Accounts) are governed by the Support Account Procedure, which outlines the requirements for the governance and use of funds in these accounts.

Staff Support Accounts are established within the Research Financial System (RFS) and are owned by the University. They are made available to individual staff members to support research and education activities aligned with the University’s strategic intent. These accounts provide flexibility to fund research-related expenditure that cannot be attributed to an active research project or during periods of limited research funding.

Purpose and Use of Funds

Funds in a Staff Support Account may be used for:

• Bridging funds between research contracts
• Professional development
• Seed funding for new initiatives
• Support for HDR candidates
• Research-related costs (e.g., publishing, administrative expenses)
• Intellectual property protection (e.g., patent costs approved by KEE)
• Minor equipment or consumables
• Travel and attendance at relevant conferences or engagement events

All expenditure must comply with the University’s Delegation of Authority Framework and relevant policies.

Restrictions on Use

Staff Support Account funds must not be used for:

• Private or personal expenses (including travel for spouses or dependents)
• Payments that create a conflict of interest (e.g., salaries for family members)
• Transfers to other institutions
• Commitments beyond the account’s end date or available balance, including:
  • Capital purchases
  • Employment of continuing staff
  • Multi-year service contracts
  • HDR stipends (unless guaranteed by the DVC(R&I) or College PVC)

Expenses charged to a Staff Support Account cannot be reallocated to other accounts.

Deficits and Account Management

• Any deficit from a grant (G Number) will be charged to the Staff Support Account of the Chief Investigator. Where there are multiple Chief Investigators on the grant, the deficit may be shared across all Chief Investigators’ Staff Support Accounts.
• Staff should use available Staff Support Account funds before accessing other sources such as operating funds or RSP distributions.
• Accounts are subject to periodic audit.
• Funds may be rolled forward annually if:
  • The balance is ≤ $50,000, or an approved strategy exists for higher balances
  • There are no overdue debts or deficits
  • The staff member has met core teaching, research, and consultancy obligations
  • Any existing fund strategies have been delivered; and
  • The staff member is up to date with mandatory Delegations of Authority training.

If these conditions are not met, remaining funds may be transferred to the School or College Support Account.

Reporting

Account balances are reported periodically to the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor or Deputy Vice-Chancellor as part of the financial reporting pack.

For full details please refer to the Support Account Procedure.