• Section 1 - Purpose and Scope
• Section 2 - Process and Key Controls
• Section 3 - Key Requirements
• Section 4 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Leadership, Staff and Contractors
• Supervisors
• Human Resources
• Section 5 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance
• Section 6 - Recording and Reporting
• Section 7 - Appendix
• Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose and Scope

(1) The University acknowledges that a power imbalance will always exist between Leadership, Staff or Contractors and a Student and consequently, as outlined in this Procedure some relationships between Leadership, Staff or Contractors and Students are unacceptable to the University. University Leadership, Staff and Contractors should always maintain Professional Boundaries and not seek to initiate or cultivate relationships with Students.

(2) This Procedure outlines the standards expected of Leadership, Staff and Contractors with respect to Professional Boundaries and Intimate Relationships with Students.

(3) UQ is committed to ensuring that all Students can pursue their education without risks to their health or safety and are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Section 2 - Process and Key Controls

(4) This Procedure operates to define and contextualise the terms of the Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Policy, the Conflict of Interest Policy and the Staff Code of Conduct Policy regarding Intimate Relationships between Leadership, Staff and Contractor and a Student.

(5) Disclosures made by Leadership, Staff and/or Contractors in accordance with this Procedure are managed through the Disclosure and Management of Interests Form or submitted to the relevant supervisor for assessment.

(6) A failure to comply with this Procedure may amount to Sexual Misconduct or Gender-based Violence and/or be in breach of the Conflict of Interest Policy and the Staff Code of Conduct Policy.

Section 3 - Key Requirements

(7) Where University Leadership, Staff or Contractors hold Direct Power or Influence in relation to a Student, they must not initiate, cultivate or engage in an Intimate Relationship with the Student. If an Intimate Relationship of this nature exists, whether existing or previous, this must be Disclosed to the University.

(8) All Leadership, Staff and Contractors hold Indirect Power or Influence in relation to a Student. Any Intimate Relationship with a Student, including those established prior to the Leadership, Staff or Contractor-student dynamic, must be Disclosed and an appropriate management plan established.

(9) Leadership, Staff and Contractors must act with awareness of the power and influence dynamic with Students and ensure that Professional Boundaries are maintained and enforced. Crossing a Professional Boundary with a Student commonly results from a blurring of professional and personal roles. These boundaries are essential to fostering a safe, respectful, and equitable learning environment grounded in mutual respect, trust, and academic integrity. Refer to the Acceptable Behaviour toward Students Guideline for more information.

Section 4 - Roles, Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Leadership, Staff and Contractors

(10) Leadership, Staff and Contractor responsibilities include:

1. ensuring the timely and accurate completion of the mandatory Disclosure;
2. acting with awareness of the power imbalance between UQ Leadership, Staff or Contractors and Students;
3. upholding UQ’s commitment to Student health and wellbeing;
4. ensuring that standards of behaviour and Professional Boundaries are maintained and enforced;
5. seeking advice as required to ensure that this Procedure is adhered to; and
6. reporting observed conduct which is in breach of this Procedure.

Supervisors

(11) Supervisor responsibilities include:

1. ensuring that Leadership, Staff and Contractors are completing the mandatory Disclosure as required;
2. providing advice and guidance to Leadership, Staff and Contractors to ensure compliance of this Procedure;
3. undertaking appropriate management action to reinforce Leadership, Staff and Contractor responsibilities and standards of behaviour; and
4. seeking advice from Human Resources where required to ensure appropriate management of observed and reported behaviours, and Disclosures.

Human Resources

(12) Human Resources responsibilities include:

1. providing compliance advice and guidance to Leadership, Staff, Contractors and supervisors; and
2. undertaking assessments of Disclosures for compliance and where required to support the establishment of suitable management plans or actions in response to a Disclosure.

Section 5 - Monitoring, Review and Assurance

(13) Human Resources will monitor, review and provide assurance on the effectiveness of this Procedure.

Section 6 - Recording and Reporting

(14) Recording and reporting are completed in accordance with legislative and UQ requirements.

(15) Human Resources OR Integrity Unit is responsible for retaining records in relation to Leadership, Staff or Contractor compliance in accordance with the Information Management Policy and the Privacy Management Policy.

Section 7 - Appendix

Definitions