The development of this policy derived from the need for a clearer definition of the categories of access to the Internet that should and shouldn't be allowed via AARNet members. The policy was developed with the benefit of feedback from meetings of Regional Hub representatives, the briefing session on the AARNet/Telstra agreements and the considerations of the AARNet Board of Management and the AVCC.
While the provision of Internet access via AARNet members is restricted to the categories listed below, AARNet members may publish electronic information which would then be accessible to the wider community through other Internet access providers. However, an AARNet member should not publish material where it has no control over content and which could result in the AARNet member being liable.
AARNet Members (AVCC member institutions, CSIRO, DSTO, ANSTO and AIMS) are required to abide by the following statement of principles:
1. Access by AARNet Members
1.1 Access should normally be allowed by:
(i) staff, students and associated individuals (eg visiting fellows; honorary research associates) of the AARNet member in undertaking their duties and studies related to the operations and mission of the AARNet member;
(ii) units of the AARNet member housed in another organisation, (eg teaching and research departments of the AARNet member within hospitals, but not to servicing the hospitals themselves);
(iii) University controlled entities and agencies that are wholly owned or operated by AARNet members and which do not provide Internet access to other parties.
1.2 Access should NOT be allowed by:
individuals, groups or organisations with accounts on machines belonging to an AARNet member for purposes that are not related to the operations and mission of the AARNet member.
2. Access by Non-Members
2.1 Access should normally be allowed by:
(i) Tertiary Admission Centres associated with AARNet members;
(ii) Cooperative Research Centres, Cooperative Multimedia Centres, and other collaborative ventures where:
* the principle objectives are the advancement of university teaching and/or research; and
* the partners that are not AARNet members:
- do not provide Internet access to other parties; and
- do not use their Internet access rights to undertake activities unrelated to the collaborative venture.
(iii) publicly funded not-for-profit research agencies with teaching and/or research links with the AARNet member (eg the Anglo Australian Observatory);
(iv) conferences, congresses and workshops where there is an educational, research or professional society association with the AARNet member, but not where the program is primarily commercial.
2.2 Access should not be allowed by:
(i) vendors and commercial clients of AARNet members;
(ii) organisations based in Technology Parks, unless allowed under (2.1) above;
(iii) government departments and agencies, unless allowed under (2.1) above; and
(iv) members of Alumni associations.
These categories have commercial options available to them for the provision of IP and Internet services.
Institutions may provide services to Alumni associations (eg Web pages), but access to these services by members should be provided by commercial Internet service providers.
3. Situations where interim access may be provided
The Government's intention is that Schools and TAFE will eventually be serviced by EdNA. Interim access by Schools and independent TAFE should be allowed until other alternative services are available.
All former AARNet Affiliate Members and Value Added Resellers must make alternative Internet access arrangements prior to 1 January 1996.
All other clients who currently obtain Internet access via AARNet members, but will not be allowed to do so under this policy, must make alternative arrangements prior to 1 January 1996 unless Telstra or other service providers are unable to provide access (as may occur in some regional areas), in which case AARNet members may continue to provide Internet access until other alternative services are available. Interim arrangements extending beyond 1 January 1996 should be referred to the AARNet Board of Management.
4. Indemnities
If any AARNet member allows access under the principles set out, it is the responsibility of the AARNet member to ensure that it is adequately protected by putting in place suitable indemnities.
5. Register of non-members and referral of policy matters
Each AARNet member must maintain a list of non-members to which it provides Internet access and make this information available for annual review by the AARNet Board of Management. AARNet members should seek advice from the AARNet Board of Management before providing Internet access to any client category that is not covered by the categories specified above.
11 October 1995