Federation University's governance document hierarchy

Document

Scope

Document Owner/Approver

Description

Federation University Australia Act 2010 (Vic)

University-Wide

State Parliament then Minister

  • Establishes the existence and function under law of Federation University.
  • Stipulates that the University must enact legislation (Statutes and Regulations) relating to the organisation and management of the University.
  • Any areas not covered by legislation are governed by existing policy.
  • Publicly available on the Victorian Legislation Website.

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.

Regulations

University-Wide

Council

  • 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.

Policies

University-Wide

Member of the Vice-Chancellor Senior Team

  • 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 Policy Library.

Procedures

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.
  • Publicly available via the Policy Library.
  • Access may be restricted to staff only where required.

Guidelines

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.
  • Publicly available via the Policy Library.
  • Access may be restricted to staff only where required.

Manuals

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.
  • Publicly available via the Policy Library.
  • Access may be restricted to staff only where required.

Work instructions

Localised to specific areas of the University

Local level

  • Specific task description for a localised audience or team, often in support of a procedure. Work instructions can be either internal or external.
  • Coordinated by the relevant Manager.
  • Format and location is guided by the operational need of the localised audience.
  • Access is usually restricted to relevant staff only.