Acceptable Use Policy for ICT Resources

​Overview

Department ICT resources are provided to improve and enhance learning and teaching, and for the conduct of the business and functions of the Department. Using information technology, accessing information, and communicating electronically can be cost-effective, timely and efficient.

All users of Department ICT resources are expected to exercise responsibility, use the resources ethically, respect the rights and privacy of others and operate within the laws of the State and Commonwealth, including anti-discrimination and sexual harassment laws and the rules and policies of the Department, including occupational health and safety obligations to employees and students.

Department ICT resources should not be used for inappropriate or improper activities. This includes: pornography, fraud, defamation, breach of copyright, unlawful discrimination or vilification, harassment, including sexual harassment, stalking, bullying, privacy violations and illegal activity, including illegal peer-to-peer file sharing. The audience of an electronic message may be unexpected and widespread and users should be mindful of this when using ICT resources.

The Department’s Acceptable Use of ICT resources policy applies to all users of Department ICT resources.

This policy is not intended to apply to students. Schools have their own acceptable use policies for students.

Other Resources

Policy & Guidelines

• ICT Resources Acceptable Use - last updated 11 July 2018
  (PDF) (WORD)
• Internet Content Filtering Guide - last updated 22 October 2018
  (PDF) (WORD)

Additional Information

This policy operates in conjunction with the following ICT policies:

• ICT Security Policy
• Password Policy
• Portable Storage Device Security Policy

Users of ICT resources should ensure they are familiar with the following publications:

• Intellectual Property and Copyright Guidelines
• Copyright Guidelines for Victorian Government Schools
• Records Management Policy

Legislation

• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).
• Crimes Act 1958 (Vic)
• Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995 (Vic).
• Cybercrime Act 2001 (Cth)
• Spam Act 2003 (Cth)
• Protected Disclosure Act 2012 (Vic)
• Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)

Related Topics

Student acceptable use 

Further Information

For Victorian Public Service (VPS) employees

• Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement Common Policies
  www.vpsc.vic.gov.au (Victorian Public Sector Commission)

Contact Information