Microsoft 365 Governance in Australia: How to use Microsoft 365 securely and compliantly

For many Australian companies, Microsoft 365 has become a standard workplace platform. But the requirements around data protection, compliance, and cybersecurity are growing — especially due to local frameworks such as the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) and the Information Security Manual (ISM). The challenge: Microsoft Teams in particular often lacks structure, oversight, and consistent processes.

With OneDot61, an experienced cybersecurity partner from Australia, and the governance apps from Solutions2Share, we offer an effective solution for Australian companies: locally tailored, directly integrated and quickly deployable.

This article outlines what you need to know about Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams governance in Australia and how we can help you.

Why is Microsoft 365 Governance important for Australian Companies?

Australian companies, particularly those in regulated industries such as construction, energy, health and the public sector, increasingly need to provide evidence of IT security, data control and compliance.

Without clear governance, Microsoft Teams quickly becomes a weak point:

• Uncontrolled creation of teams and groups
• Orphaned or duplicate teams
• Uncontrolled guest access
• Data stored without classification or protection
• Lack of logging and traceability

Australia adds additional requirements:

• The Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) outlines strict guidelines for data security and access control.
• The Information Security Manual (ISM) requires technical measures to secure cloud environments.
• Government agencies and regulated industries must ensure data residency in Australia.

These requirements can only be implemented with clear processes, technical controls and the right tools.

What to focus on for Microsoft 365 Governance in Australia?

Data Residency in Australia

Especially for sensitive information, it’s critical to ensure that data is stored and processed within Australia. Microsoft offers specific add-ons to support this, but the responsibility for implementation and monitoring lies with each company. A governance solution is essential for long-term compliance.

PSPF and ISM Compliance in Microsoft 365

Both frameworks define strict requirements for access controls, identity management, auditing, and data classification. These cannot be fully addressed with standard Microsoft 365 features alone.

Secure Guest Access in Microsoft Teams

In many companies, guests are added without a consistent process — increasing the risk of uncontrolled access. A governance solution such as the External User Manager helps manage Microsoft Teams guest access with approval workflows, full visibility of guest users, and automatic reviews.

Multi-Tenant Environments in larger Companies

Australian companies, particularly those with subsidiaries or international operations, often work across multiple Microsoft 365 tenants. For consistent governance, aligned processes and central management are crucial. Teams Manager offers the necessary support.

5 Best Practices for Microsoft Teams Governance in Australia

1. Structured Team Creation with Templates and Naming Policies
   Teams Manager gives full control over who can create a team, which metadata must be provided, and what naming conventions apply.
   
2. Automated Approval Workflows in Microsoft Teams
   Approval flows for new Teams, Microsoft 365 Groups, or Planners ensure overview and consistency.
   
3. Lifecycle Management
   Orphaned or outdated teams can be automatically recognized, marked for review and deleted or archived if necessary. This saves space, protects data and increases security.
   
4. Guest Access Control for External Users and Partners
   External users are only granted access if guest access is approved and regularly checked. With External User Manager, companies can view and efficiently manage all M365 guests.
   
5. Classification and Compliance Controls
   Teams and content can be protected using Sensitivity Labels, guidelines, and automated reviews. These capabilities are available in Teams Manager and through Microsoft Entra ID.

Microsoft 365 Governance with OneDot61 and Solutions2Share

OneDot61 is an Australia-based specialist in cybersecurity, Microsoft technologies and compliance consulting. The team brings over 25 years of experience in the Australian market, including clients in government and highly regulated industries.

Solutions2Share develops apps specifically focused on Microsoft 365 governance. These apps are fully integrated with Microsoft 365. Including:

• Teams Manager: Microsoft Teams management with automated Teams creation, governance workflows, lifecycles, and much more.
• External User Manager: Overview, management and control of all external guests in Microsoft 365.

Together, we enable Australian companies to:

• Fast implementation with minimal IT effort
• A central governance solution fully integrated into Microsoft Teams and M365
• Clear responsibilities between internal IT, partners and tool
• Fewer manual tasks, more security and transparency

With us, you can reduce your effort, minimize risks and significantly improve your compliance.

Learn more:
Microsoft Teams management with Teams Manager
Guest management with External User Manager
Visit the website of Onedot61

FAQ – Microsoft 365 Governance in Australia

Conclusion: Secure and fast Governance Solution for Microsoft 365 in Australia

Australian companies need governance solutions tailored to their local requirements.

Together with OneDot61, we provide a scalable governance solution designed for Australian conditions to help you manage Microsoft 365 securely and efficiently.

Let’s discuss how you can best implement M365 governance in Australia