University of Tasmania, Australia

Following a comprehensive review of the Operational Policy Development and Review Policy, Procedure and associated Manual, a new Policy Development and Review Policy has been approved by the Vice-Chancellor, and the associated Policy Development and Review Procedure and Policy Development and Review Guideline have been approved by the Responsible Officer (the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Provost).

The Policy Development and Review Policy establishes the University Policy Framework which:

- defines University policy;
- establishes the range of policy instruments (Policy, Procedure and Guideline);
- specifies Approval Authorities for all policy instruments;
- identifies University Policy Development Cycle stages; and
- defines the application of policy instruments.

Transitional Clause

Existing policies, procedures and guidelines yet to be transferred to the University Policy Framework in accordance with this Policy Development and Review Policy[1] will remain in force until 31^st December, 2011 where: 

- there is no breach of Commonwealth or State legislation, the University of Tasmania Act 1992 (Tasmania) or University By-Laws 1993;
- there is no conflict with Ordinances, Rules, Governance Level Principles or Council Approved Plans; or
- there is no conflict with Policy, Procedures or Guidelines approved in accordance with this Policy Development and Review Policy.

University Policy Development Cycle

Policy development and review projects will now be undertaken broadly following the University Policy Development Cycle. The University Policy Development Cycle generally incorporates a number of discrete stages – which may not necessarily be sequential, but iterative - depending on the particular policy development and review context.  The cycle includes the following stages:

1.      Identification of Policy Requirements

2.      Nomination of Responsible Officer and Policy Delegate 

3.      Drafting (Writing) (NOTE: THERE ARE NEW TEMPLATES AVAILABLE)

4.      Benchmarking

5.      Consultation

6.      Revision

7.      Endorsement

8.      Quality Control

9.      Approval

10.    Promulgation

11.    Implementation 

12.    Implementation and Compliance Monitoring

13.    Implementation and Compliance Evaluation 

14.    Review and (note: REVIEWS ARE NOW UNDERTAKEN EVERY THREE YEARS)

15.    Records Management.

There are new templates available in the Policy Toolkit to support the policy drafting process.

What fits where?

Components of the University Policy Framework may be contextualised within a hierarchy of legislation and governance instruments, associated local documents, approval authorities and authorisation sources that apply either across the University or to specific areas.

Table 1: Hierarchy of Instruments, Approval Authorities and Application

More information?

See the Policy Development and Review Policy, Policy Development and Review Procedure, and Policy Development and Review Guideline.