Status and Details

This page contains information about the status, approval and a summary of the changes from the previous version of the document. Please note that the Unit Head listed on this page is the current owner of this policy and may not reflect the University position/staff member who owned this policy at the time of publication.

Foreign Arrangements and Foreign Interference Policy

Show Field Notes

Status	Current	Indicates if this version of the document is in effect (Current), yet to come into effect (Future), or expired (Historic).
Effective Date	28th March 2024	This is the date on which this version of the document came into effect.
Review Date	28th March 2027	The next review of this document is scheduled to commence on this date.
Approval Authority	Vice-Chancellor and President	The noted authority approved this is version of the document.
Approval Date	28th March 2024	This is the date on which this version of the document was approved by the authorised authority.
Expiry Date	Not Applicable	This is the date on which this version expires. It may still apply, conditionally, after this date.
Unit Head	Ian Anderson Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation i.anderson@westernsydney.edu.au	This is the officer generally responsible for day to day administrative matters.
Enquiries Contact	Freya MacMillan Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research f.macmillan@westernsydney.edu.au	General enquiries should be directed to the officer/area listed.

Summary of Changes from Previous Version

In November 2019, the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment announced the release of the Guidelines to counter foreign interference in the Australian university sector with required reporting to commence in 2021 and ongoing compliance by universities. In 2023, the Policy Refresh Project also identified the lack of policy coverage of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act (FITSA) and recommended a new policy be developed.

This Policy has been developed by the Foreign Arrangements Working Group (FAWG) with the purpose of:
• establishing the principles by which the University will identify, assess and manage foreign interference risks
• operationalising the University’s commitment to countering foreign interference
• providing information and support to staff on the potential threats of foreign interference
• ensuring that research, collaboration and education activities are mindful of the risks of foreign interference
• ensuring collective responsibility and individual accountability proportionate to the risk
• assisting in safeguarding the University’s assets: its people, intellectual property, finance and reputation

Clauses Amended:Policy: All
Procedures: All

06/09/2024: Position name changed from Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Enterprise and Global (SDVC, REG) to Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Enterprise and Global (SDVC & VP, REG)

06/02/2025: Division name changed from Office of People (Office of People) to Office or People (O4P)

06/02/2025: Division name changed from Office or People (O4P) to Office for People (O4P)

14/05/2025: Division Office of Audit and Risk Assessment (OARA) replaced with Office of Internal Audit (Office of Internal Audit)

14/05/2025: Division Office of Audit and Risk Assessment (OARA) replaced with Office of Internal Audit (Office of Internal Audit)

14/05/2025: Division Office of Audit and Risk Assessment (OARA) replaced with Office of Internal Audit (Office of Internal Audit)

14/05/2025: Division Office of Audit and Risk Assessment (OARA) replaced with Office of Internal Audit (Office of Internal Audit)

14/05/2025: Division Office of Audit and Risk Assessment (OARA) replaced with Office of Internal Audit (Office of Internal Audit)

14/05/2025: Division name changed from Office of Internal Audit (Office of Internal Audit) to Office of Internal Audit and Risk (Office of IA&R)