• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) This policy regulates the circumstances where the University may consider funding off campus Internet or intranet access for staff and research students.

Section 2 - Definitions

(2) Nil.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(3) In general terms, the University will not provide, fund or subsidise off campus access to the Internet or University intranet.

(4) For senior staff that need to work from home as part of their duties and would reasonably expect the relevant School or Unit to meet this cost, payment may be considered on a case by case basis, unless special arrangements, as approved by the relevant Dean or Deputy Vice-Chancellor, are in place.

(5) A small number of research students may require access for their research, in which case the supervising unit may elect to subsidise the costs. No other reimbursement or subsidy for student internet access will be available. Further information on resources for research students may be found in the Research Higher Degree Candidature Essential Resources Policy.

(6) A small number of University staff may be required to access the Internet and email from computers outside the University network (eg, from home) as part of their duties, or as a result of actions undertaken under the Disability Policy. In these circumstances, it may be appropriate for the University to subsidise the costs.

(7) Where remote access to University systems is provided at the University's expense, such access is subject to the IT Acceptable Use of Resources Policy, and all other relevant University policies. All use of the University's systems is logged and may be monitored.

Section 4 - Procedures

(8) The decision as to whether a unit should subsidise the costs of off campus Internet or intranet access is at the discretion of the relevant Dean or Deputy Vice-Chancellor. However, the approving officer should use the following guidelines when making their decision.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(9) The staff member must have a regular and continuing need to access on campus information resources from off campus, or is required to telecommute in order to perform their duties.

(10) It is an overriding requirement that the unit only subsidise staff internet access where it can be demonstrated that working from home is required as a part of the staff member's duties and not for the purposes of self education or for personal reasons.

(11) The University will only provide reimbursement or subsidies for business internet usage. Any amount claimed as business use must be fully supported by relevant documentation.

(12) It may be more appropriate for the staff member to meet the costs of internet access themselves and claim the work related portion of their costs as a tax deduction where such a deduction is allowed by the relevant income tax laws.

(13) Unless provided by the University under the Disability Policy, it is the responsibility of the user to ensure they have the necessary computer, modem, connection media and software to connect to the Internet.