Academic Performance and Development Review (APDR) Guidelines
The APDR guidelines outline the University’s expecations for the way we run Academic Performance and Development Reviews. They set out the roles and responsibilities of staff members, reviewers and Academic Heads.
2026 APDR guidelines (PDF)
Review opening date – 31 August 2026
The APDR System (Progress) will open by 31 August 2026 for all APDRs. Tables on this page contain suggested timeframes.
Individual schools and departments may set their own due dates.
APDR eligibility
APDRs are either annual or biennial.
Use the Annual APDR table and Biennial APDR table to find out which type of review is scheduled for your academic title.
Check the Academic Performance and Development Review Schedule section below to find out the timelines and further detail.
Schedule of Academic Performance and Development Reviews
These tables set out the eligible academic titles and timeframes for Academic Performance and Development Review.
Annual APDR
| Eligible academic titles | Reviewers |
|---|---|
| Assistant Research Fellow | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Lecturer | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Postdoctoral Fellow | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Professional Practice Fellow | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Research Fellow | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Scientific Officer | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Senior Lecturer (below the bar) | Two Reviewers |
| Senior Professional Practice Fellow | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Senior Research Fellow (below the bar) | Two Reviewers |
| Senior Teaching Fellow | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
| Teaching Fellow | One Reviewer (Head of Department or delegate) |
APDR Guidelines
2026 APDR guidelines (PDF)
Salary progression
Annual single-step salary progression on next 1 February for those in post on 1 September of APDR year (per Employment Agreement)
Timelines
Annual Academic Performance Appraisal
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 7 September | Head of Department completes any delegated reviewer arrangements and informs staff and Reviewers. |
| 2 November | Staff member submits review. |
| 30 November | Reviewer submits review to Human Resources. |
Note: Individual schools and departments may set their own due dates.
APDR Senior Lecturer / Senior Research Fellow (below the bar)
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 28 September | Staff member submits review to Head of Department. |
| 2 November | Head of Department submits review comments to Dean (Health Sciences) or Pro-Vice-Chancellor (other divisions). |
| 30 November | Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or Dean, in Health Sciences) submits review to Human Resources. |
Biennial APDR
| Eligible academic titles | Reviewers |
|---|---|
| Associate Professor Clinical Associate Professor Research Associate Professor (APDR in even-numbered years) | Up to Vice-Chancellor |
| Professor Clinical Professor Research Professor (APDR in odd-numbered years) | Up to Vice-Chancellor |
| Senior Lecturer beyond the bar Senior Research Fellow beyond the bar (APDR in even-numbered years) | Up to Pro-Vice-Chancellor |
APDR Guidelines
2026 APDR guidelines (PDF)
Salary review
Eligible for salary review and progression effective on next 1 February for those in post on 1 March of APDR year.
Timelines for APDR Biennial
Associate Professors, Clinical Associate Professors and Research Associate Professors, Senior Lecturers beyond the bar, Senior Research Fellows beyond the bar
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 28 September | Staff member submits review to Head of Department. |
| 2 November | Head of Department submits review comments to Dean (Health Sciences) or PVC (other divisions). |
| 30 November | (Health Sciences only) Dean submits review to Pro-Vice-Chancellor. |
| 18 December | Pro-Vice-Chancellor submits review to Vice-Chancellor. |
Note: Individual schools and departments may set their own due dates.
Professors, Clinical Professors, Research Professors
The next biennial APDR for Professorial staff is in 2027.
Where to find more information
- Visit the Progress App
- Find out more about Progress
- More resources
- Process map for Academic Performance and Development Review
Human Resources
Email hr.academicreviews@otago.ac.nz