New student-led organisation

Hundreds of students have shared feedback with the University about how student services and activities could better meet their needs.

Students have called for stronger engagement and support for postgraduate and online cohorts, particularly those studying at NUspace and Central Coast.

Students have also told us they want services that are easier to access, more visible, more equitable across campuses and study modes, and more directly shaped by students themselves.

The new organisation is being established to respond directly to this feedback. It will help ensure more students can access the services, support and opportunities that matter to them, regardless of where or how they study.

It will also focus on strengthening engagement and support for students studying at Central Coast, NUspace, Tamworth and online, as well as postgraduate and HDR students.

The new organisation will focus on services and initiatives identified through student feedback.

Its areas of focus are expected to include:

• food affordability
• sport and recreation
• health and wellbeing
• employability and future readiness
• student connection and community building

It will also focus on strengthening engagement and support for students at Central Coast, NUspace, and Tamworth, as well as online, postgraduate and HDR students.

Most importantly, students will have a genuine role in shaping how SSAF funding is invested. The organisation will be student-led, creating more opportunities for leadership, participation and peer-led service delivery.

The new SLO will complement the services already provided by the University and UNSA, while giving students another opportunity to shape the services and activities available to them.

UNSA

UNSA will remain the University's student representative body and continue its important work in:

• student advocacy and representation
• clubs and societies
• events and activities
• student welfare and support, including the UNSA Food Hub
• community building, primarily at Callaghan.

We recognise the significant contribution UNSA makes to student life and will continue working closely with UNSA as the new arrangements are implemented.

New SLO

The new organisation will complement UNSA's work by focusing on services and engagement opportunities that respond directly to priorities identified through student feedback.

It will create additional opportunities to engage students who may not currently participate through existing student-led structures, particularly students studying outside Callaghan, online, at postgraduate level or in HDR programs.

UNLSA

UNLSA will continue to support University of Newcastle law students through professional development, networking opportunities, social activities and student engagement initiatives.

The University will continue to provide core academic, wellbeing, safety, careers and student support services to all students.

This initiative forms part of the University's broader commitment to increasing the proportion of SSAF funding directed to student-led organisations.

In 2027, the University proposes to allocate 45.4% of projected SSAF revenue across three student-led organisations: UNSA, UNLSA and the new organisation.

This exceeds the Australian Government's 40% minimum requirement by an estimated $500,000.

Under the proposed model, UNSA would continue to receive the largest allocation of SSAF funding.

By investing across multiple student-led organisations, we can better support the diverse needs of our student community, strengthen service delivery, and create more pathways for students to get involved.

The new organisation will be independent, student-led and governed in line with legislative requirements.

• An elected student board will help shape the organisation's priorities and decide how it responds to student needs.
• Students will elect four student members to the governing board, alongside three University representatives.
• Students will hold the majority of positions on the Board, and the Chair will be a student. At least one student representative will be from the Central Coast.

The University is currently working with students to finalise the organisation's Constitution, which will establish the framework for governance, accountability and operation.

The University will support the organisation's establishment and maintain appropriate financial oversight, reporting and accountability arrangements as required under legislation.

Having multiple student-led organisations is not new to the University. Prior to the establishment of UNSA, the University operated with three student-led organisations. A multi-organisation model allows different groups to focus on different priorities while creating more opportunities for students to participate.

Student elections for the new organisation will take place in the coming months.

More information will be available soon, including:

• nomination details
• board roles and responsibilities
• expected time commitments
• election dates

The organisation is expected to commence operations in January 2027, with establishment and transition activities continuing throughout the remainder of 2026.

Ultimately, this initiative is about more funding, more services and more opportunities for students to lead. By broadening our student-led model, we can ensure more students, wherever and however they study, can access the services that matter to them and have a direct role in shaping their University experience.