Professional Staff Mentoring

Expressions of interest (EOIs) for the 2027 program are open from 15 October 2026. 

EOI forms to apply for the 2027 program to be a mentor or mentee, or both, are here:

2027 Mentor EOI form closes 8 January 2027

2027 Mentee EOI form closes 18 December 2026

The professional staff mentoring team will be in touch with applicants in early February 2027 with mentoring pairing information and next steps for the 2027 program. 

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 2027 and finishing by the end of November 2027.
• Initial information sessions provided for both mentors and mentees, and 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 matched 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. 

2027 program