New Information Governance Policy: what you need to know

Understand how the policy applies to your role.

After months of hard work and collaboration, UNSW has a new Information Governance Policy, effective from Monday, 3 February 2025. 

The policy is a direct response to your feedback that our policies are too numerous, complex and hard to follow.

Information Governance is a comprehensive framework of documented principles, policies, processes, roles and responsibilities, and technologies to manage information and ensure it’s handled responsibly, securely and in alignment with legal and regulatory requirements.

In partnership with our Policy Transformation Program (PTP) colleagues, the policy team has worked closely with key stakeholders and experts across the University to develop this policy. It’s designed for students, researchers, trainees, employees and affiliates, and sets out clear principles for managing data and using our digital resources.

The new policy and supporting documents include several key changes:

• Consolidation of multiple policy documents: We’ve combined 15 policy documents into one, including the Acceptable Use of UNSW Information Resources Policy, AI Guiding Principles, Data Breach Policy and Procedure, and many more.

• New Information Governance Instruction Manual: This includes related standards and guidance to be used alongside the policy.

• Plain language content: We’ve refined the content and procedures to make them easier to understand.

• Clear requirements and authority delegations: We’ve clearly defined what’s required and who’s responsible across UNSW.

• New role-based guidance: This is a quick guide to your roles and responsibilities. 

This policy ensures we all comply with all relevant laws, standards, codes, guidelines, ethics approvals and contractual obligations related to information governance.

Roadshows are planned for later in 2025 to help you understand the policy, your roles and responsibilities, and how to apply the policy day to day.

We couldn’t have done this without the input and support of the entire UNSW community. Thank you for your contributions, and let’s keep the collaboration going as we implement this policy.

Questions or feedback on the policy? Contact policy@unsw.edu.au.

Questions or feedback on implementation? Contact dataprogram@unsw.edu.au.