New staff
Welcome to James Cook University (JCU).
Congratulations on your new role and welcome to the James Cook University community. Whatever your role, you will contribute hugely to the success of the University, to the quality of our graduates, our research achievements, and our local and global reputation.
Before your first day
Along with your letter of offer, we will send you additional forms to complete and return as part of your employment contract. These documents will be provided to you through our onboarding portal.
You will be required to complete all necessary forms online. Clear instructions will be included on how to submit the completed paperwork and who to contact if you require assistance.
Whether you’re beginning a new role or transferring within the university, our onboarding portal is here to support you every step of the way.
Your onboarding journey begins once you receive your employment contract. All communication before your start date will be managed through the onboarding portal. This includes emails with essential documents and important information to help you prepare for your new role.
The portal provides everything you need to make your commencement with us seamless. Be sure to regularly check your emails for links, updates, and instructions.
The portal provides a tailored list of tasks to complete, including:
- Pre-start activities: Tasks to prepare before your first day.
- First-day essentials: Key actions to complete as you settle in.
- Ongoing tasks: Activities to support you beyond your first day.
If you have any questions about your induction or employment, please speak with your manager or contact us via the Service Portal.
If you previously worked at another Australian university, you might be eligible for credit towards your long service leave.
To find out more, please contact Human Resources.
Your safety and wellbeing are our top priorities. We’ve implemented a range of systems to ensure you have easy access to support services and resources whenever needed.
Discover more about our on-campus security and support services on campus.
We recommend all staff download the JCUSafe App on their mobile device before commencing their role with us. The JCUSafe App serves as a central hub for information about the University's security plans, safety resources, and emergency response procedures.
Please Note:
James Cook University (JCU) is a Smoke-Free Campus. This includes all JCU buildings, grounds, carparks, and vehicles. If you wish to smoke, you must do so off-campus, beyond the campus boundaries.
Your first day
On your first day you will gain access to the New Staff Hub your go-to resource for everything you need to know, including:
- Getting Set Up: Obtaining access to IT, facilities, and more.
- Work Essentials: Understand the tools and resources to succeed in your role.
- Where to Go for Support: Find the help you need when you need it.
- My HR Online: Manage your personal details, leave, and pay information.
- Mandatory Training: Complete key training to meet compliance requirements.
- Staff Benefits: Learn about perks available to you.
- Staff Learning and Development: Explore opportunities for professional growth
Your first day is the perfect time to complete your online induction, Welcome to JCU. This induction provides essential and engaging information about JCU to help you feel connected as you begin your journey with us. As a new staff member, it’s important to familiarise yourself with key information about JCU, including:
- Our Strategic Direction
JCU’s strategic direction is captured in a variety of strategies, plans, statements, and reports that guide our core activities. Our Corporate Strategy is shared across all JCU operations and locations in Australia, Singapore, and beyond. Our corporate strategy outlines our values, priorities, and what matters most to us as a university.
- Our Campuses
JCU’s main campuses in Australia are located in Townsville and Cairns. We also operate campuses in Brisbane and Singapore, along with smaller study centres in Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, and Thursday Island.
Navigating our campuses can be challenging, especially on your first day. To make it easier, explore our interactive and printable maps for the Townsville and Cairns Campuses .
Your first week
During your first week, we’ll help you settle in, discover our values, meet your colleagues, and navigate our systems and processes.
Your manager will:
- Tour your work area and introduce you to colleagues.
- Explain your work unit’s role within JCU.
- Discuss key strategic goals, your role, and responsibilities.
- Provide you with a staff ID card and set up your workspace, login details, and computer.
- Explain the probation process.
- Review work health and safety requirements.
You should:
- Access the New Staff Hub and the Employee Lifecycle Hub (login required)
- Log in to My HR Online to update personal details.
- Learn about campus parking options
- Review the Code of Conduct
You will be automatically provided with access on your first day of employment, to platforms that contain the relevant training that you are to complete as part of your onboarding with us, with some of the programs being mandatory for all staff to complete.
- Desktop Support
The Central Service Desk is your go-to for IT assistance. You can request support via the JCU Service Portal. - Computer Log-in
Before you start, you'll receive your Staff ID number and log-in details. This number grants access to the JCU network, websites, systems, and software. Follow the provided instructions to activate your account once you have these details. - Email
Your JCU employment includes an @jcu.edu.au email account for managing email, calendar, contacts, and tasks through Microsoft Outlook. You can access your email after receiving your JC number. - Computer Applications
All staff have access to Microsoft Office 365 (M365), which includes Email, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. These applications are available on your desktop or via the web on any device. Access may vary depending on your employment type (e.g., full-time, casual, adjunct).
JCU has a wide range of staff tools and systems, and access to these varies with your role. For more information please refer to:
- Staff tools & systems explanatory page, which includes links to information, login and for some systems training
- Staff tools & systems A-Z, which includes several preconfigured tabs to help you find the system or tool you need
After the first week of your induction, you'll continue your journey to become accustomed with the JCU way.
- Online induction modules
- Mandatory training modules
- Policies and procedures
- Probation plan development
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Do you need support?
If you need support with a JCU system, tool or device please log a support request in our JCU Service Portal.