How to comply with university web publishing policies

When developing and maintaining content on the university website, ensure that you are familiar with the following web publishing policies. More information is available in the university web publishing policies and guidelines.

Accessibility

Information published on the university website is legally required to meet accessibility standards.

Advertising and sponsorship

Follow university compliance regulations relating to paid advertising and sponsorship acknowledgement. More information about compliance is on the Media and Communications site.

Archiving

Webpages must be archived according to university policy. Read more about the university web archiving strategy project.

Branding and logos

Conform to university requirements regarding branding and secondary logos. More information about logo guidelines and the university's overall branding and communication strategies is available on the Media and Communications site.

Contractors

External contractors must adopt university standards for development and delivery of products and services for the university website.

top of page

Copyright

Web content must adhere to the Copyright Act (1968) and any licences the university has with copyright owners. See Copyright - a simple guide for more information.

Forms and transactional webpages

Ensure that online forms and transactional webpages satisfy accessibility and usability guidelines. Read about how to create online forms.

Metadata

Include university metadata in each webpage.

Search engine registration

Make sure that your site is registered with university and external search engines.

top of page

Security

University web servers and websites must have adequate security measures. Find out more on the Academic and Corporate Services - IT site

Servers

Web servers must comply with university security and server management requirements. More information is available from Campus Wide Information Services (CWIS).

Subdomain names

Subdomain names must be approved by the Vice-Principal (Development), University Development Division, and registered by the Networks Manager, Information Division. To register, submit a registration proposal to the Networks Manager, Information Division: netquery@unimelb.edu.au

Web publishing templates

Use the appropriate university web-publishing template for university webpages. Guidelines and training are available to ensure that the templates are used appropriately. Use of the appropriate template ensures that content is compliant in issues such as disclaimer; privacy and freedom of information; the university Australian Business Number; university name and logo; and CRICOS provider number.

Other relevant legislation and policies

Business activities in the university environment are subject to several Victorian and Commonwealth laws, for example:

• Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968
• Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act 1992
• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's "Disability Standards for Education" (Commonwealth)
• Victorian Public Records Act 1973
• Victorian Information Privacy Act 2000
• Victorian Health Records Act 2001
• Commonwealth Higher Education Funding Act 1998

Additional laws that specifically relate to web and Internet activities include:

• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Advisory Notes on World Wide Web Access, version 3.2, dated August 2002
• Commonwealth Broadcasting Services Act 1992, especially Schedule 5

Depending on the technology used, the university's web activities may be subject to the Commonwealth Telecommunications Act 1997.

University of Melbourne policies relating to web, computing and network activities include:

• Regulation 8.1.R8 Security of Local Area Networks (pdf, 19kb)
• Regulation 8.1.R7 University Computing and Network Facilities (pdf, 28kb)
• Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, section 23.4 Use of Computer and Networking Facilities
• Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, section 21 Equal Opportunity
• Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, section 10.15 Staff Use of the University's Internet, E-mail and Electronic Communications Policy
• Web Publishing Policies and Guidelines
• Relevant provisions in the Environment, Health and Safety Manual