Legislation, rules and policies

UTS rules and policies

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

The rules are also published in the print UTS: Calendar.

UTS: Calendar

Each year, UTS produces the UTS: Calendar, a companion volume to the UTS: Handbook. The UTS: Calendar contains the University Act, By-law and Rules, and other student and general information. Copies of the UTS: Handbook and the UTS: Calendar are held in the University's libraries and faculty offices and can be purchased from the UTS Union.

UTS Student Charter

The UTS Student Charter recognises that students and staff have rights and responsibilities to each other and to the University community.

Students should read and be familiar with the UTS Student Charter.

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

Freedom of information and privacy

In early 2010, the new Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) will replace the Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW). Under the act, individuals may apply for access to information held by the University.

An individual may also access their personal information under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) or 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.

Further information on freedom of information is available at:

Further information on privacy is available at:

NSW child protection legislation

Prohibited employment declaration and screening

In accordance with NSW child protection legislation, students participating in practical training placements that require them to have direct contact with children under 18 in designated child-related employment areas are required to complete a prohibited employment declaration form on enrolment, and each year in which they are enrolled as a student. In some circumstances, students may also be subject to employment screening. Screening is carried out only with students' consent but eligibility for participation in such programs is determined on the basis of information obtained through these checks.

Education students: prohibited employment declaration and working with children check

All students who participate in practicum subjects conducted in schools or in similar organisations where work involves direct contact with children under 18 without qualified supervision are required to complete a prohibited employment declaration on enrolment and may be required to undergo employment screening.

Students participating in internship or associate teacher programs that involve direct contact with children under 18 without the presence of a qualified teacher are subject to a working with children check by the NSW Department of Education and Training, which requires completion of a prohibited employment declaration and a consent to employment screening.

Eligibility for participation in such programs is determined on the basis of these checks.

Working with children checks is carried out only with a student's consent. If students refuse to consent to the checks, they may be unable to complete the course requirements.

Further information is available from UTS: Education at:

Nursing, Midwifery and Health students: prohibited employment declaration and criminal record check

The NSW Department of Health has implemented policies and procedures whereby all health care workers who may be engaged in positions within departmental organisations, including students undertaking clinical placements in NSW health facilities, must undergo a criminal record check.

All nursing students must complete a prohibited employment declaration, undergo a criminal record check and receive a NSW health department clearance prior to undertaking a nursing practice or midwifery placement. The check is conducted by the NSW Police Service and coordinated by the NSW health department. A criminal record consent form and prohibited employment declaration must be completed, signed and lodged with the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Health. Any refusal by a student to undergo this check may result in the student being unable to complete the course requirements.

Clearances can be delayed for a number of reasons, particularly the incorrect completion of forms. Students should therefore ensure that forms are correctly completed. Students who have not received a clearance card from the NSW health department within four weeks of lodgment of forms or at least one week prior to the commencement of nursing or midwifery practice should advise the UTS Student Centre. Students must present the clearance card whenever attending a clinical placement.

Further information is available from UTS: Nursing, Midwifery and Health at: