Please consult the Policy on Policies for guidance on policy development and review

Governance Framework

The Governance Framework provides the structure within which University legislation and policy sit. The ANU Act, Statutes, Orders and Rules are within the auspices of the Council and Boards Secretariat (CABS).

Policy

Policies state the major principles that provide the governance parameters (framework) or the philosophical approach to the particular issues. These principles should articulate the must dos for the issue.

• As a rule, try and keep these to 5 - 8 short principle based statements (but could be fewer).
• The policy should not include processes (that is for a procedures document) or detailed guidance on the how to (that is for guidelines).

Procedures

Procedures indicate the "how to" implement elements that arise from a policy.

• They should set out the steps to follow to comply with policy. They should not impose undue restrictions on staff actions or undue burdens of workload (e.g. reporting) unless there is clear reason to do so.
• Remember procedures are binding (under the Code of Conduct Policy all staff are obliged to "act in accordance with University goals, policies and procedures.")

Guidelines

Guidelines are educational in nature

• Guidelines provide assistance on the how regarding policy and procedures they should not contain mandatory requirements that should be in a policy or procedure - they elaborate policy or procedure BUT are not mandatory - they present one way of meeting the policy or procedure's mandatory elements. Consider if others methods such as Toolbox, Online training may also be useful.
• Guideline may be less formal, have flow charts, process charts, picture, screen shots, or other elements.

Certification of Policies

The Certification of Policies form is used once the policy has been approved