Access to information

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) facilitates access to information held by public sector agencies in New South Wales, including UNSW Sydney.

To access the information from the university, your first step should be to search the university's website. The university provides the public with a range of information on its website, including official policies and annual reports. Please see, Open access information below for details on what information is already publicly available.

If you can't find the information you're after, please contact the university for assistance. We can advise if the information is already publicly available or whether it can be disclosed informally or through a formal access application. Please see, Requesting information below for further details.

Who can help with more information?
Right to Information Officer
Phone: (02) 9348 1198
Email: gipaa@unsw.edu.au

The university is required to publish open access information on its website, unless doing so would impose unreasonable costs. This information can also be made available in any other way provided at least one of the ways open access information is made publicly available is free of charge.

The following open access information is freely available from the university:

• Policy Documents - this section of the university website provides access to policies, procedures, guidelines, and details of the University's policy framework.
• Information guide (below) - the university's information guide describes the structure and functions of the university, specifies the various kinds of government information held by the university and the way such information will be made available to the public.
• Disclosure log of Formal Access Applications (below) - this is a record of information that has been released under formal access applications which the university considers may be of general interest to the public.
• Register of Government Contracts - (Please note - this link will take you to the university's online portal for contracts). This is a register of current contracts between the university and private sector entities. If you would like further information on a government contract entered into by the university, please contact the Right to Information Officer.

The university will also publish the following open access information if and when such information exists:

• The university's record of open access information that it does not make publicly available on the basis of an overriding public interest against disclosure.
• Information about the university contained in any document tabled in Parliament by or on behalf of the university (other than any document tabled by order of either House of Parliament).
• The total number and total value of properties disposed of by the statutory body during the previous financial year.
• The university's guarantee of service (if any).

This information guide has been developed to satisfy the requirements of the university to have certain information about the university publicly available in accordance with:

• standard 7.3.1 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 (Cth)
• section 20 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW).

Structure of the university

Establishment of the university
The university is established by the University of New South Wales Act 1989 (NSW) (the "UNSW Act"). Under the UNSW Act, the university is constituted as a body corporate with the usual powers of a body corporate.

The official name of the university
The official name of the University, as prescribed by section 5 of the UNSW Act, is the University of New South Wales.

Business names of the university
The university has registered and operates under a number of business names, including:

• UNSW Sydney
• UNSW Canberra
• UNSW Australia

View the full list of business names registered by the University. Please note that this link will take you to an external website (Australian Government - Australian Business Register).

The regulatory status of the university
The university is registered:

• as a higher education provider under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (Cth) (the "TEQSA Act") as a self-accrediting authority and may self-accredit its own courses (the university's provider ID under the TEQSA Act is PRV12055 - access the University's entry on the TEQSA website including full regulatory status)
• on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), permitting the university to enrol and deliver education services to students in Australia on a student visa (the university's CRICOS ID is 00098G - view the University's entry on the CRICOS website)
• as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ABN 57 195 873 179).

The object of the university
The object of the university, per section 6(1) of the UNSW Act, is the promotion, within the limits of the university's resources, of scholarship, research, free inquiry, the interaction of research and teaching, and academic excellence.

The functions of the university
The principal functions of the university, as set out in section 6(2) of the UNSW Act include:

• the provision of facilities for education and research of university standard
• the encouragement of the dissemination, advancement, development and application of knowledge informed by free inquiry
• the provision of courses of study or instruction across a range of fields, and the carrying out of research, to meet the needs of the community
• the participation in public discourse
• the conferring of degrees, including those of Bachelor, Master and Doctor, and the awarding of diplomas, certificates and other awards
• the provision of teaching and learning that engages with advanced knowledge and inquiry
• the development of governance, procedural rules, admission policies, financial arrangements and quality assurance processes that are underpinned by the values and goals referred to in the functions set out in this subsection, and that are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the university's academic programs.

In addition, as set out in section 6(3) of the UNSW Act, the university has other functions such as:

• the university may exercise commercial functions comprising the commercial exploitation or development, for the university's benefit, of any facility, resource or property of the university or in which the university has a right or interest (including, for example, study, research, knowledge and intellectual property and the practical application of study, research, knowledge and intellectual property), whether alone or with others
•  the university may develop and provide cultural, sporting, professional, technical and vocational services to the community
•  the university has such general and ancillary functions as may be necessary or convenient for enabling or assisting the university to promote the object and interests of the university, or as may complement or be incidental to the promotion of the object and interests of the university
• the university has such other functions as are conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act.

Governance of the university
The university is governed by a Council of 15 members representing university and community interests and led by the Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor is the principal executive officer of the university and is responsible for the overall direction of corporate planning, budget activities and external relations. Under the Council, the Vice-Chancellor manages and supervises the administrative, financial and other activities of the university.

Find out more information on the governance of UNSW, including the Council, Academic Board, the Vice-Chancellor, Management Board and Executive Team.

View the the organisational structure of UNSW.

Faculties and schools
The university is made up of faculties, which are groupings of schools according to academic disciplines, through which academic staff conduct teaching at undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree levels, and pursue research and scholarly investigations. The university's academic organisations include six faculties and UNSW Canberra, and over 40 schools. Faculty business is assisted by a Faculty Board and various faculty committees.

The university also conducts teaching and research at its teaching hospitals, medical research institutes, Centres of Excellence, research centres and field stations.

Find out more information on UNSW's faculties and schools.

Information management

Information held by UNSW
The university maintains a range of records that document the university's business. Key policy-making and critical records are registered in the university's central recordkeeping system. These include records on the university's governance as well as records on key administrative, student and personnel matters. Further information is also created and held by the individual divisions, faculties and schools.

In addition, the university archives acquires, preserves and makes available the records of university governance and administration, faculties and schools, student organisations and other bodies and individuals associated with UNSW.

Find out more information on the university's records and archives.

Publicly available information
The university proactively releases much of the information it holds. This includes:

• the UNSW strategic plan - UNSW2025
• current and past UNSW Annual Reports (including Financial Statements) and other publications
• the UNSW Handbook, which contains the rules and procedures relating to all of the University's undergraduate and postgraduate programs
• student profile information and ATAR statistics for each degree program
• the locations at which the University offers its degree programs are available below
• current arrangements with other parties to deliver programs of study or to conduct research training, available below
• a listing of UNSW policy documents.

The university will meet reasonable requests for access to information without the need for a formal application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW).

Find information relating to making a formal access application.

Community engagement

Participation in policy development
Members of staff and students participate in policy decisions and the exercise of the university's functions through the university's committee structure. There are elected staff and student members of the University Council, Academic Board and faculty boards.

Opportunities exist for public participation through the formal decision-making structures and through the many units and associated organisations which contribute to the university's affairs. The university also welcomes submissions, letters or suggestions on any matters pertaining to the functions of the university from interested individuals, groups or organisations.

Involvement in the community
UNSW has a proud tradition of adding value beyond the classroom. By opening its doors for public forums on issues such as the environment, healthcare and global politics, to concert performances, open days and expos - and by partnering with communities, locally and around the world - UNSW ensures knowledge, debate and research outcomes resonate far beyond its campus gates.

UNSW is involved in many activities that provide support to the community. Staff and students are dedicated to sharing their energy and expertise with individuals, families and community organisations to make a difference in the community.

Discover information on UNSW's engagement with the public.

Locations where the university operates

Main Campus locations

Kensington
The main UNSW campus is on a 38 hectare site, seven kilometres from the centre of Sydney.

Paddington
Rebuilt in 2012 but first established well over a century ago, the UNSW Art & Design Paddington campus is located among the region's largest cluster of cultural and creative industry businesses and institutions.

Designed around a central courtyard, at the heart of our creative community's life, UNSW's specialist Art & Design campus incorporates high quality facilities such as museum-standard galleries and state-of-art workshops, open studios and private workspaces, research and digital labs, student lounges and spaces for collaboration.

Canberra
Unique in Australia, UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy provides undergraduate education for officer cadets as well as postgraduate programs which are open to all students in arts, business, capability, cyber, engineering, IT, logistics, management, security, science and space.

Canberra City Campus
UNSW Canberra is creating a new campus in Canberra’s CBD. Building on the University’s achievements, the new campus will allow us to expand our offerings in Canberra by delivering world class education within the Parliamentary Triangle.

Randwick Campus
Randwick Campus is home to the UNSW Institute of Languages. Located at 22-32 King Street, Randwick.

Cliffbrook Campus
Cliffbrook Campus is located at 45 Beach Street, Coogee.

Manly Vale Campus
The Manly Vale Campus is located at 110 King Street, Manly Vale and is home to the UNSW Water Research Laboratory, and is used for the supervision of Engineering Honours thesis students. 

Other locations - faculties and schools

UNSW Business School
The AGSM delivers various MBA programs in:

• Melbourne
• Canberra
• Perth

Faculty of Engineering

Ultimo TAFE - Used for coursework in Mechanical Engineering.

Flight Lab at Bankstown Airport - Students perform flight testing in light aircraft to support their learning in Aerospace Engineering.

Randwick Tramshed (Heavy Structures Lab) - Used for supervision of Honours thesis students.

UNSW Farm (Wellington, NSW) - Used for Civil and Environmental Engineering students providing an intensive week-long field courses in groundwater and surveying.

Faculty of Medicine

School of Psychiatry
The School of Psychiatry UNSW has many "satellite" research areas located in several locations throughout Sydney:

• Prince of Wales Hospital Campus (Black Dog Institute)
• Prince of Wales Hospital Campus (Euroa)
• UNSW (Kensington Campus)
• UNSW (Botany St Offices)
• St John of God Hospital (Burwood)
• St John of God Hospital (Richmond)
• St George Hospital
• Liverpool Hospital
• St Vincent's Hospital

School of Women's and Children's Health
The main administrative centres for the School are based at the Randwick Hospital campus at the Royal Hospital for Women and Sydney Children's Hospital.

Prince of Wales Clinical School
The Prince of Wales Clinical School is located at the Prince of Wales Hospital campus in Randwick (North and South Wing, Edmund Blacket Building). Some departments of the School are located in the Lowy Cancer Research Centre at the UNSW Kensington campus.

Rural Clinical School
The Rural Clinical School has five major teaching campuses spread across New South Wales, in:

• Albury
• Coffs Harbour
• Griffith
• Port Macquarie
• Wagga Wagga

There are sub-campuses in Grafton and Kempsey.

St George & Sutherland Clinical School
The Clinical School was established in 1969 and is located at the St George and Sutherland Hospitals, which are principal teaching hospitals of UNSW Australia.

St Vincent's Clinical School
Our association with the staff of St Vincent's Hospital and its co-located research institutes and facilities allows our students and staff opportunities to thrive in an atmosphere of dedication and excellence. State of the art clinical skills, information and computing resources are available on site.

South Western Sydney Clinical School
The South Western Sydney Clinical School (SWSCS) was established in 1989. It provides medical student placements to UNSW students at Liverpool, Bankstown, Fairfield, Braeside and the 1st Health Support Battalion. Locations include:

• Liverpool Hospital
• Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
• Fairfield Hospital
• Prince of Wales Hospital Grounds

Faculty of Science

School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences

Smiths Lake Field Station - a research facility located on the mid-North coast of NSW, within the lake Great Lakes district. The field station is used primarily by the School of BEES for the purpose of teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students and for research purposes.

Fowlers Gap Research Station - the only research station in the arid zone of NSW. Located 112 kilometres north of Broken Hill, the 39-hectare property was established in 1966 and has been extensively used by researchers from UNSW and other institutions in Australia and overseas.

Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences

School of Education
Courses as part of the Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching are taught at the following schools by method teachers.

• Matraville Sports High School
• South Sydney High School
• La Perouse Public School
• Matraville Public School
• Soldiers' Settlement Public School
• Chifley Public School
• Malabar Public School

International locations

India
The Master of Public Health (International) has been developed in partnership with India's leading private health organisation, Apollo and its education arm, Medvarsity. It is open to Indian Nationals residing in India only.

China
UNSW has established two Student Learning Centres in China in Yixing and Shanghai to support students currently studying offshore due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions.  The China Student Learning Centres provide students with an opportunity to engage with their peers and receive additional mentoring and pastoral support to supplement their online learning.

Arrangments with other parties to deliver programs 

Keypath Education Australia Pty Ltd
An agreement for the provision of Managed Online Programs between the University and Keypath Education Australia Pty Ltd.

LV Prasad Eye Institute
UNSW has an arrangement in place with the LV Prasad Eye Institute in India for the delivery of three online elective courses into its Master of Optometry program.

PluS Alliance
A partnership between Arizona State University, King's College London and the University with the objective of finding research-led solutions to the global challenges of sustainable development and expand access to world-class learning. Several educational TPAs exist within the PLuS Alliance including the Online Course Exchange and the Bachelor of International Public Health, which is delivered collaboratively with Arizona State University.

UNSW College
UNSW has an arrangement in place with UNSW College for the delivery of the UNSW Diplomas, the UNSW Foundation Studies Program and the UNSW Transition Program.

Sydney Institute of Marine Sciences
The Master of Marine Science and Management is a joint program between UNSW and three Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) partner universities. One compulsory course in the program is taught jointly at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science at Chowder Bay. Students enrol in the program at UNSW, but complete 3 courses (18 UOC) at the partner universities.

NUW Alliance
The NUW Alliance comprises the University of Newcastle, UNSW, the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University. It aims to collaborate on a number of projects that provide impact and benefit to communities across NSW.

University of Sydney and UNSW Cross-Institutional Agreement
The University of Sydney and UNSW have entered into an agreement which gives UNSW students the opportunity to undertake cross institutional study in Indonesian, Greek Italian and Spanish at the University of Sydney.

WSU / UNSW B Eng
UNSW delivers several courses into the WSU Bachelor of Engineering Advanced (Honours) as a third-party provider. Students of the WSU Bachelor of Engineering Advanced (Honours) have the option to articulate into years 3 & 4 of UNSW’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) provided they satisfy certain requirements.

Joint PhD Partners
See a list of universities with which UNSW has joint PhD agreements in place.

In New South Wales, the object of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 is to open government information (including Universities) to the public by:

• authorising and encouraging the proactive release of government information by agencies
• giving members of the public an enforceable right to access government information
• providing that access to government information is restricted only when there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.

How do I request information?
Every day the university responds to requests for information from the public. This process is still your first avenue of access to the information you wish to see. To make a valid formal access application, however, the application must:

• be in writing
• state that it is made under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009
• state the name of the applicant
• state a postal or email address as the address for correspondence in connection with the application
• provide enough details to help the University identify the information you want
• be accompanied by the statutory application fee of $30.

All formal access applications should be submitted to the university using the Formal access application form. 

How much will it cost me to make a request for information?
The formal access application fee is $30, though you may be entitled to a 50% reduction of processing charges on financial hardship grounds, or if the information requested is of special benefit to the public generally.

If the university decides to provide you with access to the information, you may be asked to pay a further processing charge. Processing costs are $30 per hour and cover the time needed to deal efficiently with the application.

The university may ask you to pay up to 50% of the expected processing charge in advance. This request must be in writing, and you must be given at least four weeks to pay.

If you seek access to your own personal information, the first 20 hours of processing time are free of charge.

How long does a formal access application take?
The university must notify you of the decision on an application within 20 working days, unless you agree to extend the time.

The university may also extend the time by 10-15 days where consultation with a third party is required or if it needs to retrieve records from archives.

If access is deferred by the university, then the university must notify you and include the reason for the deferral and the date on which you will be given access. A decision to defer access is reviewable (see Review of Decisions).

If the university does not decide on your access application within 20 days, it is considered 'refused'. The application fee must be refunded, and the applicant may seek internal or external review of this refusal (see Review of Decisions below). This will not apply if an extension of time has been arranged or payment of an advance deposit is pending.

Review of Decisions

You have three options if you have been refused access to information:

1. Internal review
   You can apply to the university for an internal review. This is a review by someone more senior than the original decision maker and there is a $40 fee. You have 20 working days from receiving notice of a decision to ask for an internal review.
2. Review by the Information Commissioner
   If you are not satisfied with the internal review, or do not want one, you can ask for a review by the Information Commissioner. You have eight weeks from being notified of a decision to ask for this review.
3. Review by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
   If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Information Commissioner of the internal reviewer or if you do not want to take these options, you can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). If you have already had a review by the Information Commissioner, you have four weeks from notification of the decision to make this application. If you haven't had a review by the Information Commissioner, you have eight weeks from notification of the decision to make this application.

Disclosure Log - Informal Access Applications
This is a log of information that the university has released pursuant to an informal request and which it considers may be of general interest to the public. The purpose of the disclosure log is to provide access to information for people who want the same or similar information, and would otherwise have to make and informal or formal access application.

Disclosure Log - Formal Access Applications
Section 25 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 requires the University to keep a record (called its disclosure log) of information which it considers may be of general interest to the public that has been released under formal access applications. The purpose of the disclosure log is to provide access to information for people who want the same or similar information as previous applicants, and would otherwise have to make formal access applications.