In December 2016, UQ commenced the first phase of transforming travel. As travel is one of the largest expenditures for the University, this is a large scale of change to undertake and by no means should we underestimate the impact of the change on staff. UQ Travel acknowledges that the initiatives we are embarking upon may not increase efficiencies initially. Ultimately the new ways of working will only be achieved if we work together through the various phases of change. UQ Travel would like to thank everyone for their patience and support as we embed the new ways of working.
Two new initiatives will be introduced this month to simplify travel at UQ:
The introduction of a standardised travel allowance
The new UQ travel allowance rates for UQ staff undertaking domestic and international travel will come into effect this month.
UQ staff will be able to apply for a domestic travel allowance through the new Expense Management System (ProMaster) from 14 August. The domestic travel allowance ($85 per overnight stay) will apply to meals and incidentals only and will be paid to staff directly via their personal bank account.
Accommodation is to be paid by actuals only, not by travel allowance.
Staff will not be required to collect receipts or reconcile the transaction if they take the travel allowance.
For more information on the standard UQ travel allowance rates for domestic and international go to the UQ Travel website News and Updates page. You can also download the Travel Allowance Fact Sheet.
Simplified bookings for domestic travel
UQ travellers do not need a quote to book domestic travel when seeking approval to travel (a cost estimate is sufficient unless specifically requested by your supervisor). See Domestic Travel Approval for more information.
From 14 August, all domestic travel booked via the UQ Online Booking Tool will be paid by the University through a UQ wide Travel Account. This initiative will give travellers/travel bookers the ability to secure domestic travel bookings instantly when booking through the Online Booking Tool, meaning current booking delays will become a thing of the past.
No need for purchase orders or credit cards! You just need to know your chart string. By booking through the Online Booking Tool your business unit or project will not be charged booking fees. These fees will be absorbed centrally.
Travellers will no longer be required to collect invoices or reconcile any travel booked using the Online Booking Tool. This simplified process will reduce the number of steps resulting in a better user experience for travellers.
To facilitate the Travel Account, other forms of payment (credit card, purchase order or travel card) will be removed from the Online Booking Tool from 14 August.
You can download the the OBT and Booking Domestc Travel Fact Sheet and the new Domestic Travel Workflow Online vs Offline.
Next steps
More information will become available shortly through the UQ Travel website.
UQ Travel
