Hierarchy of documents

All Swinburne policy documents are part of a structured hierarchy that governs University activities. The Governance Framework sets out the regulatory hierarchy and processes that ensure appropriate content, authority and consistency. 

A summary of the internal regulatory hierarchy is shown below:

Policies, regulations and statutes are university-wide instruments governing all administrative, operational and academic functions of the University. They must comply with all relevant legislation and are approved by appropriate delegated authority.

Procedures, guidelines and manuals are instructional documents that set out processes but do not impose obligations. They must be consistent with the statutes, regulations and policies that sit above them. They are approved by the relevant Senior Manager.

Work instructions are detailed instructional documents that set out processes at a localised unit level. They are approved and managed within each Management Unit.

Definition and management of documents

Document

Scope

Approver

Description
Statute University-Wide Council and then Minister
  • Makes provision for those matters relating to the university that imposes rights or confer obligation.
  • Coordinated by Governance and Assurance.
  • Created only where there is a justifiable need.
  • Publicly available on this the university’s website.
Regulation University-Wide Council or
Academic Senate or
Vice-Chancellor
  • Makes provision for those matters relating to the university that imposes rights or confer obligation.
  • Coordinated by Governance and Assurance.
  • Created only where there is a justifiable need.
  • Publicly available on this the university’s website.
Policy University-Wide Council or
Academic Senate or
Vice-Chancellor
  • High level principle-based documents that give guidance to decision making and administration.
  • Coordinated by Governance and Assurance.
  • Created only where there is a justifiable need.
  • Publicly available on the university’s website.
Procedure May apply across departments Local level
  • Specific "how to" document that sets out processes and actions.
  • Coordinated by the relevant Senior Manager.
  • Created only where there is a justifiable need.
  • Available via the management unit's website or wiki.
  • Access may be restricted to staff only.
Guideline May apply across departments Local level
  • Offers detail and context to assist staff in making decisions. It informs good practice in how a task might be undertaken.
  • Coordinated by the relevant Senior Manager.
  • Created only where there is a justifiable need.
  • Available via the management unit's website or wiki.
  • Access may be restricted to staff only.
Manual May apply across departments Local level
  • A comprehensive operational document that may contain procedures and guidelines.
  • Coordinated by the relevant Senior Manager.
  • Created only where there is a justifiable need.
  • Available via the Management Unit's website or wiki.
  • Access may be restricted to staff only.
Work instruction May apply across departments Local level
  • Specific task description for a localised audience or team, often in support of a procedure.
  • Coordinated by the relevant Manager.
  • Format and location is guided by the operational need of the localised audience.
  • Access is usually restricted to staff only.
SWINBURNE POLICIES SWINBURNE STATUTES GOVERNMENT AND ASSURANCE WIKI (STAFF LOGIN)

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To find out about our other policies, regulations and resources, head to the main policies section.

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