There are exceptions to this general rule, some of which are listed below:

For additional information see the Australian Copyright Council’s Ownership of Copyright information sheet.

Under the University’s Intellectual Property Policy 2016, the University will generally own all intellectual property originated by staff:

• in the course of employment by the University;
• using University resources;
• at the specific request or direction of the University; or
• as part of a project or program supported by funding obtained or provided by the University

This includes, for example, teaching materials. Works that are considered to be both teaching materials and scholarly works, or teaching materials and creative works, are treated as teaching materials under the Intellectual Property Policy.

Generally, staff who are the originator of scholarly works or creative works will own all intellectual property rights in them, but the University will generally own the intellectual property if the works originated at the specific request or direction of the University. Where the originator owns the intellectual property under the policy, the University has a licence to use such works and to sub-license other parties to do so.

Students own the copyright in their theses and scholarly works in the absence of any specific agreement to the contrary. However, the University will own intellectual property created by students in certain circumstances (eg if the intellectual property is created using University background intellectual property).

For detailed information check the University's Intellectual Property Policy.