Allied Health Professionals + Professional Development Reimbursement Program

The Allied Health Professionals + Professional Development Reimbursement Program (AHP+PDRP) provides additional Professional Development (PD) funds for eligible allied health and scientific health staff working in SA Health.

The Allied Health Professionals Professional Development Reimbursement + Program Policy Directive has been rescinded and replaced with the Allied Health Professionals + Professional Development Reimbursement Program Framework (PDF 425KB) which directs implementation of the Allied Health Professionals + Professional Development Reimbursement Program (AHP+PDRP).

The Allied Health Professionals + Professional Development Reimbursement Program Framework aligns with SA Health Policy Directives, the South Australian Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2021 (PDF 10.0MB) and Commissioner’s Determination 3.2 set out by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector employment (PDF 241KB) which applies to SA Public Sector employees employed under the Public Sector Act 2009.

Summary of key changes

The following expenses are not eligible for reimbursement under the framework:

  • travel transport transfer expenditure relating to bus/taxi/shuttle/third party (Uber, DiDi etc)
  • accommodation expenses from accommodation sharing services booked using AirBnB or similar
  • accommodation expenses from third party companies with benefits schemes or those unable to provide compliant tax invoices.
  • Flights purchased through third party providers (Webjet, Skyscanner)
  • The framework has been aligned with current SA Health Gifts and Benefits Policy (PDF 264KB) where the following are not eligible for reimbursement:
  • travel related expenditure where frequent flyer or other benefits schemes where points/benefits have been accrued or claimed.

Gifts and Benefits Policy

The Gifts and Benefits Policy (PDF 257KB) states employees must declare any non-token offer of a gift or benefit. This includes frequent flyer points. In line with Gifts and Benefits Policy, the AHP+PRD fund will be unable to process applications where it is evident that points have been accrued. Employees should avoid the use of payment with credit cards which have attached loyalty programs for professional development activities which they will be seeking reimbursement.

The following professional development programs associated with normal business requirements will continue to be ineligible for reimbursement:

  • mandatory training
  • training programs unrelated to current employment duties from a clinical capacity
  • training and development programs considered as a business need and/or aligned to the employee’s performance development and succession planning (i.e. Project Management, Excel, Power BI. SQL, Python). These should be pursued through the employing Local Health Network.

Critical dates

Round 1 – 1 July 2023 to 5 August 2023

  • individual direct reimbursements
  • Individual Pre-approval; and
  • group.

Round 2 – 23 October 2023 to 1 December 2023

  • individual direct reimbursements
  • group.

Round 3 - 1 February 2024 to 31 March 2024

  • individual direct reimbursements; and
  • group.

Types of applications

Pre-approval

Employees and groups can seek approval for activities before the activity occurs, however reimbursement will be contingent on correct documentation being provided. 

Employees and groups can seek prior approval for expenses before the activity occurs.

During eligible rounds employees can submit direct reimbursement and seek pre-approval as part of one application.

Individual direct reimbursement

Where an employee has already incurred the expenses associated with their professional development expenses.

Open to individual applicants only.

Group applications

When a manager or discipline group determines a professional development session that is necessary and/or highly sought after, and will benefit a number of staff, they are able to make a Group Application.

This can include potential participants from other Allied Health and Scientific Departments and/or professions.

Where the cost of the activity is greater than $200 AUD per head then this amount will be deducted from the employees individual allocation.

Any shortfall in funding due to an employee exhausting their individual allocation amount will need to be covered by the Local Health Network or Statewide Service.

Who can apply

Current SA Health employees who meet all of the following criteria:

  • work under the South Australian Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2021 (PDF 10MB) in one of the following:
    • Central Adelaide Local Health Network
    • Statewide Clinical Support Services
    • Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
    • Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
    • Women’s and Children’s Health Network
    • SA Ambulance Services
    • Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia
    • Department for Health and Wellbeing
  • classified as one of the following:
    • an allied health professional (AHP)
    • dental officer (DO)
    • grant funded scientist (GFSc)
    • medical physicist (MPH)
    • medical scientist (MeS)
    • professional officer (PO).

In addition to the above, employees must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • have registration or professional body requirements that include continuing professional development for registration or accrediting purposes
  • professional development requirements where the professional development activity has a direct benefit to the employee’s skill, knowledge or career development as a clinician or clinical manager providing or supporting a service to the consumers of the South Australian Public Health System.

Further information on who can apply is available in the Allied Health Professionals + Professional Development Reimbursement Program Framework (PDF 425KB).

For allied and scientific health professionals working in rural local health networks, please refer to the Country Allied Health Clinical Enhancement Program plus (CAHCEP+) Country Allied Health Clinical Enhancement Program plus (CAHCEP+) for professional development reimbursement information.

What the program covers

The AHP+PDRP covers the reasonable reimbursement of professional development activity costs for individuals and groups up to a capped amount per financial year.

Where reimbursement is not applicable, or not approved under the AHP+PDRP staff can:

  • approach their LHN for funding via their Manager, or
  • seek independent taxation advice and make a submission via the ATO at tax time.

Exclusions

The following items cannot be approved:

  • entertaining colleagues/others while at courses/conferences
  • providing meals or refreshments, including to paid/unpaid staff
  • purchase of medical equipment, for example stethoscopes
  • Commonwealth supported places or fees paid via a Higher Education Loan Repayment (HELP) or equivalent scheme
  • professional registration, professional association membership or Union fees
  • professional insurance
  • computers including laptops, PDAs, iPads , mobile phones and phone plans
  • internet subscriptions including rental and plan costs
  • audio-visual equipment including TVs, monitors and cameras
  • payment made on a salary sacrifice card or account, for instance MAXXIA
  • travel transfer expenditure made without a valid tax invoice bearing the applicant’s name (per the Australian Taxation Office)
  • accommodation sharing services (i.e. AirBnB or similar)
  • third-party accommodation companies with benefits schemes or those unable to provide compliant tax invoices
  • bookings for flights where personal frequent flyer or loyalty points are accrued or claimed and any fares above economy class
  • professional development programs associated with normal business requirements:
    • mandatory training
    • training programs unrelated to current employment duties from a clinical capacity
    • training and development programs considered as a business need and/or aligned to the employee’s performance development and succession planning (i.e. Project Management, Excel, Power BI. SQL, Python).
  • outdated application forms - please see below for current forms.

Applying

Applications can only be submitted via the online system during round opening times.

All relevant documents should be uploaded and attached to your online application. If you have any difficulties, please email the AHP+PDRP team at HealthAHPplus@sa.gov.au.

Travelling overseas

If travelling overseas, you must submit the HR-077 Overseas Travel Application Form and SA Health Travel Diary as part of your application, as per the current Overseas Travel Policy (PDF 945KB).

The application will not be assessed unless this document is provided.

Group applications

Applications can only be submitted by a manager or appropriate delegate.

If an application is approved, the organiser will be required to supply the AHP + PDRP program with:

  • a letter of agreement signed by both parties
  • a proposal from provider outlying services to be provided
  • a participant list and results of the evaluation undertaken, on completion of the activity.

Submission guides

Forms

Supporting Documentation

  • valid tax invoice as per the Australian Taxation Office
  • proof of payment including the transaction details, transaction date, the amount paid, the applicant’s name or another personal identifier (i.e a bank statement or transaction summary)
  • flight itinerary (if not included in invoice for flights)
  • workshop or conference program if available.
  • Forms and documentation must be legible.

Apply here

Further information

For further information on the program, including help applying for the program, contact the AHP+PDRP team at HealthAHPplus@sa.gov.au or refer to the Allied Health Professionals + Professional Development Reimbursement Program Framework (PDF 497KB).