Policy resources

The UNSW Policy Framework is a process to develop, communicate, implement, review and monitor University-wide policy documents including rules, codes, policies and instructions.

The Policy Framework includes:

• The Policy Framework Policy that describes a process to develop, review and retire University-wide Documents and contains the UNSW policy hierarchy.
• An online policy library managed by Governance that is the source of truth for university-wide policy documents. This library will include policy documents on the University’s activities. All areas of the University must link to the university-wide policy documents published by Governance.
  
• Policy delegations which authorise specific committees or positions to establish, implement and maintain policy documents. Policies may also contain, or be linked to, standards, procedures or instructions that are developed by staff with authority to do this stated in the policy or in the Register of Delegations.
• Policy document resources, including templates and forms, that support a standard approach to the development of policy documents and equip staff to develop and review these documents.
• Training and policy implementation to support staff and students to find, understand and apply university-wide policy documents. 

If you are thinking about developing a University-wide policy or instruction please contact the policy team in Governance to discuss your project.

UNSW policy documents will be reviewed as part of the Policy Transformation Program (PTP) from 2023-2026. For information about the PTP see the SharePoint site. 

Resources for PTP policy developers are maintained in Teams and communciated via SharePoint site. 

Phase One Policy Proposal

Contact the Policy team for their advice on completing a Phase One Policy Proposal. These must be approved by the Interim Vice-President, Transformation, Planning and Assurance. The Interim Vice-President will decide if a new policy is needed.

Phase Two Approval Form

At the approval stage you will prepare a Phase Two Approval Form. The form will describe the background, consultation process followed, summarise changes and the reasons for the changes. A policy officer in Governance will check this form before it is forwarded with the final draft policy document to the relevant approver. You must also provide:

• the final draft (in Word)
• the implementation  plan 
• the record of consultation: comments and responses

Governance will check the final draft for administrative updates and advise the next steps.

Phase Two Approval Form

Drafting templates

Contact the Policy team for advice on using the new policy template. Policy now incorporates standards and procedures.

All policies must be shared with the Policy team for review and publication. 

An Implementation Plan must also be completed and submitted alongside each new or updated policy to articulate its impact on the UNSW community.

Version control