Professional Staff Mentoring

Expressions of interest for the 2026 program are open from 24 October-1 December 2025. 

Complete an EOI to be a professional staff mentee or mentor, or both. 

Only submit one EOI per category per person. The first submission for each category from each person will be the one that is considered. 

2026 mentee EOI form

2026 mentor EOI form

The professional staff mentoring program offers participants the opportunity to receive support from experienced senior staff to increase their skills and confidence, build networks and more effectively navigate their career goals at ANU. 

There is usually particular need for professional staff at ANU classification Level 6/7 or higher to act as mentors. Previous mentors in the program have given very positive feedback about their experiences, with comments such as:

“It’s been very interesting and rewarding already.”

“I am sure I am getting at least as much out of it as the mentee, probably more.”

“It will stretch me and help me to learn from another perspective.”

“Fantastic to meet someone I mightn’t otherwise have. Start of something lovely.”

Program overview

• 10 month facilitated program, starting in February 2026 and finishing by the end of November 2026.
• Initial information sessions provided for both mentors and mentees, as well as ongoing support from the People and Culture team.
• Monthly 1:1 mentoring sessions, conducted virtually or face to face, as preferred by both parties. The exception to this is where mentors have two mentees, and in this case meetings can be every 6 weeks or so.
• Anticipated time commitment of 12-18 hours total for mentors and mentees, including 1:1 mentoring meetings and information sessions.

Eligibility

• Open to professional staff employed in ongoing, fixed-term or continuing contingent funded positions.
• Mentors and mentees must be available and prepared to participate for the full duration of the program.
• Mentees will be drawn from ANU classifications up to and including Level SM1, and mentors from Level 6/7 or higher, depending on the pool of available nominees and the skills and experience of participants. Mentees will generally be matched with a mentor from a higher classification level.
• Mentors and mentees will be chosen to ensure participants are drawn from across ANU.
• Mentors are encouraged to complete the ANU Leadership in Practice program (no cost for ANU staff) prior to commencing any mentorship. 

For early career academic staff: NECTAR offers an early career academic staff mentoring program. 

2026 program outline