Staff Elections

Elections for staff positions on University Council, Academic Senate and College Boards are conducted by Legal and Governance Services with the University Secretary being the Returning Officer.

Other bodies throughout the University conduct their own elections for positions on their Boards and Committees. This webpage only deals with the elections undertaken by Legal and Governance Services.

The University has a range of opportunities for staff to become involved in Committees that contribute to the teaching, learning and the business of the University. Committee members get to meet an influential network of people, learn new skills, develop their professional skills and effect change at the University.

Notice of Election

Notice of Election - Academic Senate

Election of Academic Staff to the Academic Senate

The University of Newcastle is to elect academic staff to the Academic Senate for a two-year term, commencing 1 January 2027 and concluding 31 December 2028.

Nominations for the positions are now open and will close 5:00pm AEST, Monday 29 June 2026. If required, an electronic ballot will be conducted.

Available positions

Category

Level

Available Positions

College of Human and Social Futures

Level A or B or C

2 x two-year positions

College of Engineering, Science and Environment

Level A or B or C

1 x two-year position

College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing

Level A or B or C

2 x two-year positions

College of Human and Social Futures

Level D or E

2 x two-year positions

College of Engineering, Science and Environment

Level D or E

2 x two-year positions

College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing

Level D or E

1 x two-year position

Pathways & Academic Learning Support

Level A, B, C, D or E

1 x two-year position

Non-Newcastle Campus Location

Level A, B or C

1 x two-year position

Non-Newcastle Campus Location

Level D or E

1 x two-year position

Eligibility

All staff employed as academic staff by the University as at 29 June 2026 (close of nominations) are eligible to nominate for this election. This includes academic staff on continuing and fixed term employment arrangements, but does not include people with sessional, casual or conjoint arrangements.

Consistent with the requirements of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), the Council and the Academic Senate expects all nominees to be fit and proper persons.

Why nominate

The Academic Senate is the primary forum for debate on academic issues in the University and is focused specifically on protecting, promoting and enhancing teaching, learning and research.

As an academic staff member on the Academic Senate, you will be invited to attend meetings, share your perspective as an academic and develop your governance skills and experience.  You will also hold an Ex Officio member position on your respective College Board, as per 5.1.8 of the College Boards Terms of Reference.

For further information about Academic Senate and this election, please see the Academic Senate.

How to nominate

Nominations must be submitted on the approved Nomination Form. There must be a separate nomination form for each candidate. Nominations must be accompanied by a Fit and Proper Person Declaration (see page 4).

You can include a statement (150 words or less) to support your nomination, together with a photograph. This will be distributed to voters in the event there is more than one eligible nomination received for the positions available and an electronic ballot is held. If your statement is longer than 150 words, the University Secretary reserves the right to edit it down.

Completed nominations can be submitted to the Returning Officer via email: elections@newcastle.edu.au by 5:00pm AEST, Monday 29 June 2026.

Contact

If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au

Notice of Election - Council

The University of Newcastle is to elect three staff members to the University Council for a two-year term, commencing 1 September 2026 and concluding 31 August 2028.

Nominations for the positions are now open and will close 5:00pm AEST, Wednesday 24 June 2026. If required, an electronic ballot will be conducted.

Available positions

Category

Qualification

Elected from

2 x academic staff

Professor, or Academic level A, B, C, D or E

Any college, division or unit

1 x non-academic staff

Professional or non-academic teaching staff

Any college, division or unit

Eligibility - Academic Staff Position

All professors and academic staff employed by the University as at 24 June 2026 (close of nominations) are eligible to nominate for this election. This includes staff on contingent, continuing or fixed term employment arrangements, but does not include staff with sessional, casual or conjoint arrangements.

Consistent with the requirements of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) all nominees are expected to be a fit and proper person.

Eligibility - Non-Academic Staff Position

All non-academic staff employed by the University as at 24 June 2026 (close of nominations) are eligible to nominate for this election. This includes professional and non-academic teaching staff on contingent, continuing or fixed term employment arrangements, but does not include staff with casual arrangements.

Consistent with the requirements of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) all nominees are expected to be a fit and proper person.

Why nominate

Council is the University's most senior decision-making body responsible for the oversight, management and development of strategic plans and key policies. Council monitors the overall performance and accountability of the organisation and is subject to standards of corporate governance.

For further information about Council and this election, please see the Council and Staff Elections webpages.

How to nominate

Nominations must be submitted on the approved form (Nomination Form - Academic Staff) and (Nomination Form - Non-Academic Staff). There must be a separate nomination form for each candidate.

Your nomination must be proposed, seconded and signed by two staff eligible for this election under the same category as the nominee.

Nominations must be accompanied by a Fit and Proper Person Declaration (see page 3-6).

You can include a statement (150 words or less) to support your nomination, together with a passport sized photograph. These will be distributed to voters in the event there are more eligible nominations received than positions available, and an electronic ballot is required.

Candidate statements must not include any offensive, defamatory or inappropriate content that may breach the University’s Staff Code of Conduct. The University Secretary reserves the right to request that  a statement be edited  if it contains any inappropriate content or is longer than 150 words.

Completed nominations can be submitted to the University Secretary by email: elections@newcastle.edu.au by 5:00pm AEST, Wednesday 24 June 2026.

Contact

If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au

Notice of Ballot

Outcome of Election

Outcome of Election - UniSuper

ELECTION OF TWO STAFF TO THE UNISUPER CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

The academic and non-academic staff of the University were required to elect two representatives (one from each of their respective categories) to be a member of the UniSuper Consultative Committee.

Notice of Result

Following a call for nominations, the following staff members are declared elected:

  • Professor Jon Hirst  (Academic Staff Member - Elected Unopposed)
  • Ms Gianna Herring (Non Academic Staff Member - Elected by Ballot).
Contact

If you have any queries regarding this election, please email elections@newcastle.edu.au

Upcoming Elections

Questions?

Do you have questions relating to elections?  You can find more resources and information on the elections webpage .

Contact

For further enquiries, contact the Deputy Returning Officer for all election questions on elections@newcastle.edu.au