Legislation, rules and policies

UTS rules and policies

The rules and policies of the university have been written to provide advice on the responsibilities of students to their studies and the rights of students and staff. Students should read and be familiar with the rules and policies of the university.

Student rights and responsibilities

The Student Rights and Responsibilities Policy recognises that students and staff have rights and responsibilities to each other and to the university community. Students should read and be familiar with this policy.

Student complaints

The university is committed to providing a learning and working environment in which complaints are responded to promptly and with minimum distress and maximum protection to all parties. All students and staff have a responsibility to contribute to the achievement of a productive, safe and equitable study and work environment at UTS.

The Student Complaints Policy outlines what a complaint is and contains information about how to make a complaint.

Right to information and privacy

An individual can request access to information held by UTS under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW). If the information requested cannot be accessed online or through an informal application, an access application needs to be lodged with the right to information coordinator.

An individual may request access to their personal information under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) or, where the information relates to health, under the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW). In addition to the requirements of these acts, UTS has a number of policies that govern access to, and the collection, use, storage and disclosure of, personal information.

NSW child protection legislation

UTS is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children who interact with or who may be impacted by university activities. The Child Protection Policy sets out the university’s approach to child protection and the requirements for those interacting with children within the University or on its behalf.

Education students

All students who participate in professional experience subjects, or internship or associate teacher programs, where work involves direct contact with children under 18, are required to obtain a Working with Children Check clearance from the NSW Children's Guardian.

Health students

NSW Health is committed to providing their staff, patients and clients with a safe workplace. The Working with Children Checks and Other Police Checks policy requires all students enrolling in courses that involve clinical placements in NSW public health facilities to undertake these checks and comply with other policy requirements.

Further information on clinical compliance checks, including the Working with Children Check, is available from UTS Health.

Graduate School of Health Students

Clinical placements are a compulsory component of all courses offered by the Graduate School of Health. The Graduate School of Health adopts NSW Health policies and procedures for all clinical placement sites. Students can access key policy directives via the NSW Health Student Compliance website.

Specific information on clinical compliance for clinical psychology, orthoptics, pharmacy, physiotherapy, genetic counselling and speech pathology is available from the Graduate School of Health.

Working with Children Check

The NSW Office of the Children's Guardian operates the Working with Children Check.

Obtaining a Working with Children Check is the responsibility of the student. Individuals applying to work with children are required to lodge their application online with the Office of the Children's Guardian. A clearance number is issued to approved applicants.

Prior to commencing each professional experience or clinical placement, students are required to complete a volunteer/student declaration.

Policy and related documents about the Working with Children Check are available from the NSW Department of Education.