Workplace surveillance policy builder

Draft a workplace surveillance notice and computer surveillance policy for your state or territory, covering email and internet monitoring, cameras, vehicle tracking, call recording and AI tool logs.

Figures checked 5 November 2026. Free to use, no sign-in.

Workplace

Where the people under surveillance work.

What you monitor

Surveillance

Details

Workplace surveillance notice and policy

Workplace surveillance Act
Yes
Days of notice
Enter both dates
Earliest start (14 days)
Enter the notice date

Check before you use it

  • Give this notice at least 14 days before surveillance starts (Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW)).
  • Give the notice to new employees before they start work.
  • Put up clearly visible signs at each entrance to areas under camera surveillance, and keep cameras visible.
  • Set up the monitoring tools to match this notice exactly, and keep evidence: settings, retention periods and the list of people with access.
  • The Privacy Act 1988 employee records exemption can cover private sector employers’ records directly about the employment relationship, but not information about contractors, job applicants or customers captured by the same systems.
  • Check whether an award or enterprise agreement requires consultation before introducing surveillance.

[Organisation name]: workplace surveillance notice

Date of this notice: [date given]

This notice is given under the Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW). It tells you about surveillance [Organisation name] carries out, or will carry out, at work.

Kinds of surveillance

  • Camera surveillance
  • Computer surveillance

How it is carried out

  • Work email: Work email sent and received on our accounts is logged and can be reviewed.
  • Internet use: Websites and online services accessed on our devices or network are logged.
  • Security cameras: Visible cameras record images at our premises. Each camera area is signposted.

When and for how long

  • It starts on [start date].
  • It is continuous: it operates whenever the systems, vehicles or premises are in use.
  • It is ongoing, until we tell you otherwise.

Computer surveillance policy

Computer surveillance is carried out in line with this policy, which you are being told about in advance. The devices, accounts and systems [Organisation name] provides are for work, with limited personal use allowed. Don’t assume that what you do on them is private.

  • What is logged: the items listed above under computer surveillance.
  • Who can see the logs: only staff authorised for security, IT administration, or a specific investigation approved by management. Access is itself logged.
  • How it is used: to protect people, systems and information, to meet legal obligations, and to investigate suspected misconduct or security incidents. It is not used to watch individuals at random.
  • How compliance is checked: we review access to monitoring records and this policy at least once a year.
  • Blocking: we do not block email or websites except spam and harmful content filtered automatically.

Where surveillance never happens

There is no surveillance in toilets, washrooms, change rooms, showers or lactation rooms.

Questions

Contact [contact name and role] with any questions about this notice.

New South Wales: the rules this follows

  • Written notice at least 14 days before surveillance starts (an employee can agree to less); new employees get it before they start work (s 10).
  • Cameras must be clearly visible, with signs clearly visible at each entrance (s 11).
  • Computer surveillance only under a policy employees were told about in advance (s 12).
  • Tracked vehicles and things carry a clearly visible notice (s 13).
  • No surveillance in change rooms, toilets, showers or bathing facilities (s 15), and none outside work except of equipment you provide (s 16).
  • Blocking email or websites only under a notified policy, with a notice when an email is blocked, and never just because it is from a union or about industrial matters (s 17).
  • Covert surveillance needs an authority from a Local Court Judge and can’t be used to monitor work performance (Part 4).

Highlighted text in [brackets] still needs your input. General information, not legal advice.

How this works

The rules differ by state, so the document changes with the state you pick:

  • New South Wales and the ACT have workplace surveillance Acts. The notice covers every item they require, checks the 14-day notice period, and includes the computer surveillance policy.
  • Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory: the main rules are in surveillance devices and listening devices laws. The document is a notice and policy as good practice, with that state’s consent rules listed.
  • Commonwealth rules on intercepting calls and the Privacy Act employee records exemption apply everywhere.

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Legal basis

Checked against these sources on 5 November 2026. Spotted a figure that looks wrong? Tell us.

Questions

Do I have to tell employees before monitoring their email or computers?

In New South Wales and the ACT, yes: written notice at least 14 days before surveillance starts, and computer surveillance only under a policy employees were told about in advance (Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW); Workplace Privacy Act 2011 (ACT)). Elsewhere the main rules are in surveillance devices and listening devices laws, so a clear notice and policy given in advance is the safest course and supports consent.

Can I use hidden cameras?

In NSW covert surveillance needs an authority from a Local Court Judge, and in the ACT an authority from the Magistrates Court, and neither can be used just to monitor work performance. In other states, recording private activities without consent can breach surveillance devices laws.

Can I record calls and meetings?

Tell everyone at the start that the call is recorded and why. In Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, recording a private conversation you are part of generally needs everyone’s consent. Intercepting calls on a telecommunications network is a separate offence under Commonwealth law.

Can I track company vehicles?

In NSW and the ACT, put a clearly visible notice on each tracked vehicle and include tracking in the written notice. In Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory, tracking a person needs their express or implied consent, so get it in writing.

Where is surveillance banned?

NSW bans it in change rooms, toilets, showers and bathing facilities; the ACT adds parent or nursing rooms, prayer rooms, sick bays and first-aid rooms; Victoria bans optical and listening devices in toilets, washrooms, change rooms and lactation rooms.

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