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Scope

The Social Media Operational Policy ('the policy') is relevant to all Victorian Government departments, agencies and entities operating official social media accounts or undertaking paid social media advertising.

Separate from this policy, Victorian Government departments, agencies and entities should determine whether they require their own specific policy if they expect an increased likelihood of defamatory comments occurring in response to their social media posts. A tailored policy may subsequently be developed, which considers the objectives, resources, and nature of the specific department, agency or entity’s social media posts.

Departments, agencies and entities should refer to relevant Retention and Disposal Authorities issued by the Public Records Office Victoria (PROV) to determine retention and disposal actions their social media records. Please see PROV’s website for advice on managing social media records.

This policy does not cover the use of social media for personal or workplace communications (such as Microsoft Teams), or department or agency-specific social media policies. For guidance on the personal use of social media, refer to the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees (VPS Code of Conduct).

The policy does not cover the full operation of official government social media accounts. All channels managed by a department or agency are the responsibility of the accountable officer for that entity.

For more information read your department’s, agency's or entity’s social media documents and visit the Use social media – digital guide, Social media branding – digital guide and Victorian Government communication requirements.

Importantly, all social media posts by Victorian Government departments, agencies and entities are the responsibility of the accountable officer for that entity, and are considered ‘public sector communications’ and must comply with the requirements of:

These requirements are designed to ensure that public sector communications (including social media posts) are in the public interest and are apolitical.

Updated

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