• Section 1 - Introduction/Background
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Guiding Principles
• Section 4 - Export and Supply Principles
• Section 5 - Publishing Principles
• Section 6 - Breaches
• Section 7 - Record Keeping
• Section 8 - Other Foreign Engagement Obligations
• Section 9 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 10 - Definitions

Section 1 - Introduction/Background

(1) The University of Wollongong (the “University”) has an obligation to comply with all Commonwealth legislative controls regarding research including the Customs Act 1901 and Defence Trade Controls Act 2012 (“DTCA”) as amended from time to time.

(2) The DTCA is designed to strengthen Australia’s export controls by regulating the supply, publication and brokering of goods, software,technology, materials,equipment or activity as listed on the Defence and Strategic Goods List (“DSGL”) and encourage the export of defence and dual-use goods in a manner that is consistent with Australia’s broad national interests, international obligations and commitments.

(3) The purpose of this Guideline is to:

1. outline the principles and procedures that support the University’s commitment to comply with the requirements of the DTCA; 
2. detail the responsibilities of the University Researchers for compliance with the provisions of the DTCA; and
3. assist Researchers with understanding that the DTCA is a mechanism to provide transparency and regulation for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (“DFAT”) through the permit system and is not in place to prevent research and collaboration.  

Section 2 - Scope

(4) This Guideline applies to all University researchers (as defined below).

(5) The penalty provisions in the DTCA apply to individuals and body corporates meaning researchers, as individuals, could be prosecuted under the DTCA if they do not comply with the stipulated provisions.

Section 3 - Guiding Principles

(6) Any University research activity that contains DSGL technology may not be able to progress without obtaining a permit from the DECO.

(7) Researchers should consult the University’s Defence Export Controls website (https://www.uow.edu.au/research-and-innovation/researcher-support/ethics/dec/) for information on determining whether a permit is required for their research project. Researchers can contact the  Research Integrity Officer (RIO) to assist with identifying if their work requires a permit.

(8) Researchers will be required to  provide detailed information including, but not limited to, their proposal document  to the RIO so they have the necessary information on the research project to lodge a permit application on behalf of the researcher for assessment with the DECO.

(9) Permits are issued by the DECO and will specify the names of the recipients of the goods or technology (‘authorised recipients’) and Researchers must ensure that they only supply to those named in the permit. In the event this needs to be amended they will need to contact the RIO to submit an amendment processing.

(10) Permits may include conditions that impose additional requirements and record keeping. Researchers must read and comply with all permit conditions.

(11) Researchers and any person undertaking research with or on behalf of the University must not supply, publish, export or broker DSGL technology unless they have the appropriate authorisation to do so.

(12) DECO can provide an in-principle assessment for Researchers which will provide an indication of whether a permit is likely to be granted. This is particularly useful for Researchers applying for grants and/or with projected international collaborative agreements. It is important to note that a successful in-principle assessment is not a guarantee of a permit and cannot be used as a replacement for a permit.    

(13) Researchers must ensure they comply with other foreign legislation as outlined in Section 9 - Other Foreign Engagement Obligations

Section 4 - Export and Supply Principles

(14) When considering the export or supply of DSGL technology, the following criteria are to be taken into account in relation to the recipient and/or recipient destination:

1. International Obligations: is the country subject to United Nations Security Council Sanctions or a location which my use the technology in a manner contrary to Australia’s international commitments or obligations? Researchers should consider the information available on the University’s Sanctions website (https://www.uow.edu.au/research-and-innovation/researcher-support/ethics/sanctions/)
2. human rights: is the country likely to commit or facilitate serious human rights abuses?
3. Regional Security: is there a threat to international or regional peace and security or could the export/supply aggravate the situation in a region; could it be used in internal or external conflict or could the technology further militarise the situation in the destination country?
4. National Security: does the country compromise Australia’s wider security interests or may adversely affect or substantially compromise Australia’s military capability? Researchers should consider the information available on the University’s Foreign Engagements website (https://www.uow.edu.au/about/governance/legislation/foreign-engagements/)
5. foreign policy: is the country known for or suspected of developing weapons of mass destruction or might propose a risk to global or regional stability?

(15) Researchers must complete the appropriate due diligence before exporting or supplying technology (tangibly or intangibly) to a person or destination outside Australia. If the technology is listed on the DSGL then further assessment to determine if a permit is required must be undertaken. If a permit is required then the permit must be obtained prior to export or supply.

Section 5 - Publishing Principles

(16) A permit is required for Publication of DSGL technology included in Part 1 of the DSGL, which includes all goods, software and technology designed or that can be adapted for military purposes (as opposed to items with both military and non-military applications). The policy rationale underpinning this requirement is that, once published in the public domain, it is not possible to control or regulate access to technology. Pay to view is not considered restricting access.

(17) No approval is required for publication of dual-use technology, specified in Part 2 of the DSGL, however the Minister for Defence retains the ability to prohibit publication in certain circumstances. Further, even where a permit is not required for the Publication itself, Researchers need to be mindful that actions taken prior to the publishing of research (e.g. sharing of DSGL technology with international collaborators) may require a permit.

(18) Researchers should refer to the Research Data Management Policy for further information on data security, classifications and publishing of data.

Section 6 - Breaches

(19) All researchers are required to immediately report any suspected or actual breaches of the DTCA to the RIO who will investigate the matter and notify the DECO. The RIO will liaise with the DECO to identify the requirements to rectify the breach and regain compliance.

(20) Breaches of this guideline by researchers constitute non-compliance with the University’s Code of Practice – Responsible Conduct of Research and will be dealt with in accordance with the University’s Research Integrity and Conduct Policy: Breaches, Concerns and Complaints.

Section 7 - Record Keeping

(21) Researchers must maintain records of any supplies under a permit for a period of five(5)years from the date of project completion, unless otherwise specified on the applicable permit. These may need to be produced to or be inspected by the Department of Defence on written notice.

(22) Researchers must record the following information:

1. a description of the DSGL technology supplied under the permit;
2. the permit number under which the DSGL technology has been supplied;
3. the name of any person the DSGL technology was supplied to;
4. the date(s) of supply or period(s) of time during which the DSGL technology was supplied; and
5. any additional record keeping requirements that may be detailed in a permit.

(23) Records relate only to the actual supplies of DSGL technology and not the associated communication which may relate to the supply but does not actually constitute supply itself.

(24) The RI&E Unit maintains a central register to track approved permits and approvals.

(25) In the case where it is deemed a permit is not required, it is recommended that Researchers keep a record of their due diligence with the project file and also provide a copy to the RI&E Unit.

Section 8 - Other Foreign Engagement Obligations

(26) Researchers should also consider whether the activity proposed involves a foreign arrangement which must be notified to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the Australia's Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020. Such notifications are coordinated by the Global Strategy Division, and are required both at the stage of negotiating a foreign arrangement and when finalised.

(27) Researchers should also give due consideration to the risk of foreign interference in relation to the proposed activity, and how any such risks can be managed, in accordance with the University’s Enterprise Risk Management Policy.

(28) Further information is available on the University’s Foreign Engagements website (https://www.uow.edu.au/about/governance/legislation/foreign-engagements/).

(29) Researchers should consider whether they will be exporting or supplying to an individual or organisation located in or from a country that is subject to UN Security Council or Australian Autonomous Sanctions and determine whether a sanctions permit may be required. Further information is available on the University’s Sanctions website (https://www.uow.edu.au/research-and-innovation/researcher-support/ethics/sanctions/)

Section 9 - Roles and Responsibilities

(30) The University has a responsibility to:

1. maintain and promote this Guidline;
2. provide researchers with training and awareness of this Guideline and their responsibilities; and
3. monitoring for compliance as required to address risks of non-compliance.

(31) Researchers have a responsibility to:

1. Comply with this guideline and all applicable legislation and regulations;
2. Familiarise themselves with DECO requirements and how to seek further guidance if needed, including through accessing available training;
3. Maintain records of due diligence and activity related to their permit or details of an assessment deeming a permit is not required as outlined in Section 8 - Record Keeping
4. Ensure they are compliant with the requirements of the DTCA including obtaining any necessary permits and approvals; and
5. Understand that compliance is mandatory and an integral aspect of their role under the University’s Code of Practice – Responsible Conduct of Research. It is not an optional process and the primary responsibility for compliance rests with the individual Researcher. This is especially important if a Researcher is knowingly working with DSGL goods, software or technology.

(32) The Research Integrity Officer is responsible for:

1. Acting as the single point of contact for communications between the DECO and University Researchers;
2. The provision of informed advice to Researchers on all  legislation and procedural obligations pertaining to this guideline;
3. The provision of administrative support for DEC permit applications and applications for in-principle assessments;
4. Maintaining consistent and timely advice on the University’s Defence Export Controls website (https://www.uow.edu.au/research-and-innovation/researcher-support/ethics/dec/)UOW Defence Export Controls Website
5. The development and provision of training programs to create awareness of the guideline, responsibilities and DECO requirements to Researchers;
6. Reporting breaches of this guideline as per the Research Integrity and Conduct: Breaches, Concerns and Complaints policy; and
7. Monitoring for compliance as required to address risks of non-compliance.
8. Maintaining a record of Researcher due diligence in RI&E Unit files when determining a permit or in-principle assessment is not required; and
   1. Undertaking reporting requirements as required by the University and the DECO.

Section 10 - Definitions