1. The purpose of our policy
Our policy sets out the principles under which Adelaide University promotes and sustains the wellbeing and safety of the Adelaide University community across work, research and learning environments.
It establishes the governance-level responsibilities for work health and safety (WHS) leadership, risk management, consultation, and compliance with applicable WHS legislation.
This policy provides authority to maintain associated procedures outlined in section 6 below.
2. Who our policy applies to
Our policy applies to:
- our Adelaide University community
- people employed by, engaged by, or affiliated with us in any capacity, including as an Officer as defined by the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA).
3. Our wellbeing and safety principles
The principles that guide this policy are:
3.1 Adelaide University complies with applicable legislation, including the Return to Work Act 2014 (SA), regulations, licensing requirements, industry standards and codes such as the Code of Conduct for Self-insured Employers.
3.2 We align our wellbeing and saftey activities with our core values and integrate these into our management system structure and framework.
3.3 We foster innovation and continuous improvement in our safety systems and methods by regularly evaluating wellbeing and safety activities and performance to meet policy objectives.
3.4 We identify wellbeing and safety hazards and risks proactively and systematically, and implement controls to eliminate or minimise them as far as is reasonably practicable.
3.5 We allocate adequate human and financial resources, using internal or external expertise as needed.
3.6 We inform and consult the Adelaide University community on activities that affect their wellbeing and safety.
3.7 We provide wellbeing and safety information, instruction, and training tailored to relevant work and study activities.
3.8 We support staff with work-related injuries or illnesses through high-quality injury management services.
3.9 We recognise that members of the Adelaide University community have a role in ensuring safety, and we establish clear roles and responsibilities.
3.10 We address wellbeing and safety non-compliance in accordance with legislation and university procedures.
4. Definitions used in our policy
Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.
Adelaide University community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary title holders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.
(The term Adelaide University community is used instead of the term Worker as defined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)).
An Officer is defined in the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) as a person who makes or participates in making decisions which affect either the whole or a major part of a business or undertaking. If a person has the capacity to significantly affect the financial standing of the organisation, they are recognised as an Officer.
Reasonably practicable means whatever is, or was at a particular time, reasonably able to be done in relation to ensuring health or safety. This considers and weighs up relevant matters including:
- the likelihood of a hazard or risk occurring
- the degree of harm that might result from the hazard or risk
- what the person concerned knows, or should reasonably know, about the hazard or risk, and ways of eliminating or minimising the risk
- the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk
- whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.
5. How our policy is governed
Our policy is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.
Policy category | Corporate |
|---|---|
Approving authority | co-Vice Chancellors/Vice Chancellor and President |
Policy owner | Deputy Vice Chancellor - People and Culture |
Responsible officer | Executive Director, People Advisory and Wellbeing |
Effective from | 1 January 2026 |
Review date | [3/4/5 years after date this version is approved, TBC] |
Enquiries | Interim Central Policy Unit/[Central Policy Unit] |
Replaced documents | None |