Latest ONSW News

Manual No. and Section Title:  11.1 Long Service Leave

Approved by ONSW Board:  27 May 2025

Effective date of new policy:  28 May 2025

Extent of Manual Update:

The 2025 update:

a)    reflects current roles and responsibilities (ONSW Payroll Officer no longer exists);

b)    specifies the legislative framework;

c)    includes LSL for casual workers;

d)    outlines leave request expectations;

e)    includes related documents and websites; and

f)     renumbers the policy from 11 to 11.1. 

Reason for Update and Relevance:

This Manual section was last updated in September 2021 and has been reviewed and updated as part of the ONSW Manual Review project.

The 2025 update is of relevance to ONSW employees.

Manual No. and Section Title:  3.1 Affiliated Clubs

Approved by ONSW Board:  27 May 2025

Effective date of new policy:  1 June 2025

Extent of Manual Update:  

This policy relates to the affiliation of new clubs with ONSW. The OA Constitution and Operations Guide are also applicable, including for confirmation of official club abbreviation.

This update has included:

a)    changes in assistance for establishment of new clubs;

b)    inclusion of OA requirements and OA process for affiliation;

c)    inclusion of related documents; and

d)    requirement to become an incorporated association.

Reason for Update and Relevance:

This Manual section was last updated in September 1992 and therefore a major update has been undertaken.

The way sporting organisations are required to operate as compared to 30 years ago has changed and incorporation is now generally expected.

The introduction of technology to orienteering equipment has transformed our sport and a ‘grant’ of flags and pin punches for establishment of a club is no longer appropriate.

ONSW needs to recognise the many forms of assistance which a new club may need. Some of these are now listed in the policy to better reflect what could or should be done. 

Manual No. and Section Title:  2.8 Transport Reimbursement

Approved by ONSW Board: 27 May 2025

Effective date of new policy:  1 July 2025

Extent of Manual Update :  ‘Cents per kilometre’ will now apply for all transport reimbursement claims.

This replaces the previous policy where:

a)     Cents per Kilometre applied for Department of education contracts or whenever a quote was required (but only after excluding the first 100km of the return journey) and at 50% of the current Australian Tax Office (ATO) rate of 88c/km; or

b)    the Petrol Receipt method applied for travel for all other ONSW-approved activities.

In future all transport reimbursement claims will use the Cents per Kilometre method.

It will apply to the whole return journey and will be at the rate in the Sporting Organisations Award (currently 98c per kilometre but may change on 1 July 2025 with mandated award increases).

It is proposed to have an effective date of 1 July 2025 to better align with any change to the Award and to allow a one month changeover period following approval.

Reason for Update and Relevance:

This Manual section was last updated in October 2021. The 2025 update intends to make the process for transport reimbursement fair, clear and consistent. All travel reimbursement claims will use the ‘Cents per Kilometre’ method regardless of purpose of travel. The rate will change each year in line with any change to the Sporting Organisations Award. 

Manual No. and Section Title:  2.7 Expense Claims

Approved by ONSW Board:  27 May 2025

Effective date of new policy:  28 May 2025

Extent of Manual Update:  Minor

Reason for Update and Relevance:

Volunteers engaged in work for ONSW may be reimbursed for pre-approved expenses as an agreed amount for undertaking the activity; and/or as reimbursement of expenses incurred in undertaking the activity.

Review of this manual section has only required minor updates to reflect the changed arrangements for processing financial transactions within ONSW, to update links for Appendix 1 & 2, and to include related documents.

The role of Finance Officer has been changed to the generic term ‘ONSW Finance’.

Manual No. and Section Title:  2.6 Eventor Finance Procedure

Approved by ONSW Board:  27 May 2025

Effective date of new policy:  1 June 2025

Extent of Manual Update   

This Manual section was last updated in 2013. The 2025 update is to align with current policy and procedures.

Reason for Update and Relevance:

This Manual section was twelve years old.

The changes proposed are minor in nature and to reflect current practices. They include:

a)    many Clubs having their own PayPal account;

b)    change from use of POLi to Stripe;

c)    addition of Club Procedure section; and

d)    addition of ‘Related documents and websites’.

Finance Director, Kathy Drayton, and Admin Officer, John Murray, have provided input to the update of this policy.

Manual No. and Section Title: 2.4 Expenditure Limits

Approved by ONSW Board: 27 May 2025

Effective date of new policy:  28 May 2025

Extent of Manual Update: General updates to old policy – no change to expenditure limits

Reason for Update and Relevance:

The existing policy was issued in November 2003.

This update:

·         maintains the existing expenditure limits and expenditure authorisations;

·         lists related documents;

·         has minor changes which do not change the policy intent.

Manual No. and Section Title: 2.3 Fiscal Policy

Approved by ONSW Board: 27 May 2025

Effective date of new policy: 28 May 2025

Extent of Manual Update:

General updates to old policy - minor in nature and to reflect current practice - formatting, listing the insurances and statutory reporting requirements, and the addition of ‘Related documents and websites’.

Reason for Update and Relevance:

This Manual section was last updated in March 2005. The 2025 update is to align with current practices.

This policy does not have high relevance to Members.