Program Overview

What is compliance?

Compliance is what we do to ensure that we meet the requirements of the law relating to our activities. The University has an obligation to its staff, students and to the community to ensure compliance with the law. Failure to comply with the law can have serious consequences for people, the environment and the University, either through injury, physical or financial damage, or though damage to our reputation.

In addition to the University’s duties under the common law, there are hundreds of statutes and regulations that govern its activities. The best approach to compliance is to take a proactive stance in meeting our legal obligations on a day to day basis.

How do I comply?

The Compliance Office has done a risk analysis to identify those general areas where a compliance breach could cause personal injuries, environmental damage or a major disruption to activities or financial loss to the University.

A number of compliance risk areas have been identified, and the University Compliance Program has been developed to minimise risk and reduce the negative consequences of any breaches to the University’s legal, policy and procedural obligations.

In essence, compliance is a way of working fairly, safely and responsibly. We can all achieve this by actively integrating the University Compliance Program into our day to day operations.

What is the University Compliance Program?

The University Compliance Program (‘the Program’) incorporates:

• An on-line University Compliance Manual which acts as a central reference point for each of the key compliance risk areas and provides practical information and links about how to comply with our legal and regulatory obligations in these risk areas;
• A Compliance Training service which can be focussed and tailored to your department’s needs;
• Regular issues of the Compliance Bulletin, a newsletter which is circulated to senior University staff to promote greater communication and awareness of compliance issues and legislative and regulatory amendments that are relevant to the University’s operations;
• Regular Compliance Reports to University Council; and
• A Compliance Advisory Service which is able to provide advice and assistance on compliance-related issues affecting your department, faculty or school, including the review of any policies or procedures.

If you want to know what you should do (or what you shouldn’t do), this Program is a very good place to start.

The University Compliance Policy

On 6 December 1999, Council endorsed the University of Melbourne Compliance Policy. It has been published as Standing Resolution 4.11 , and states the following:

The University of Melbourne, in its role as an international teaching and research based University offering quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, is committed to compliance with all statutory and common law requirements relating to the operations and governance of the University. The University will maintain the highest standards of diligence in all areas of public accountability, through its policies, in meeting its legal obligations, in the maintenance of a compliance management system and in the promotion of a 'compliance culture.'

In particular, the University recognises its obligations to its students, its staff and the wider community to provide an environment that is safe, a culture that promotes equity, and an administration that adopts the highest standards of probity and accountability in all its operations.

Accountabilities

The Vice-Chancellor is accountable for communication of this policy and for compliance with its undertakings. The University Compliance Officer is accountable for ensuring effective implementation, management and monitoring of the compliance management system and its subsequent outcomes.

The University Compliance Officer is Chris Penman, General Counsel. He is assisted by Wendy Mason, Senior Lawyer – Compliance, and Louise Goh, Law Clerk & Compliance Projects Officer.

Feedback

The University Compliance Office welcomes feedback on the content and useability of this site. Email the Senior Lawyer - Compliance - Wendy Mason

Disclaimer: This information is for the guidance of staff of the University of Melbourne. The information on these pages is not a substitute for legal advice. Please contact Legal Services for legal advice.