Goal 16:
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Elected Representation
The University of Newcastle Council is the highest governing body at the University. It has a diverse member base including external members appointed by the Minister, external members appointed by Council, elected academic and non-academic staff members, and two elected student members, one undergraduate and one postgraduate.
Student Representation at Council
The University Council, as the University’s principal governing body, includes two elected student members:
- One undergraduate student position
- One postgraduate student position
These are elected annually for a term from 1 January to 31 December.
The Council operates in line with the University of Newcastle Act 1989 and the University of Newcastle By-law 2017. These legislative documents set out the powers and functions of the University and how these must be performed. The Council Charter outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of the Council and its members.
2024 Milestones & Achievements
In 2024, we undertook significant governance reforms to strengthen student voices at the highest level of decision‑making. Key highlights include:
- Increase in student representation
- At the meeting on 30 August 2024, University Council passed a special resolution to increase the number of its elected student members.
- Established election process
- Nominations for student members to Council are managed through the Student Elections process, overseen by Governance and Assurance Services, with the University Secretary acting as Returning Officer.
- Governance and Assurance Services (GAS) is a central administrative unit lead by the University Secretary. It is dedicated to supporting the university’s governance framework and ensuring institutional integrity, accountability, and compliance. GAS plays a pivotal role in enabling effective decision-making at the University by providing risk services, records governance services and governance support.
- Formal recognition in Council’s structure
- Council’s membership explicitly includes two elected student members (one undergrad, one postgrad).
We believe these steps in 2024 reflect our commitment to ensuring that student perspectives (both undergraduate and postgraduate) are embedded in the highest level of institutional governance. If you like, I can also pull together examples of student contributions to recent Council decisions, to show how that representation is working in practice.
Meet Our Council Board Members
Risk Services
Risk Services plays a key role in supporting the University's integrated risk management framework by helping identify, assess, and manage risks to ensure informed decision-making and the achievement of strategic objectives.
Staff play a key role in risk management and success by identifying and managing risks as well as sourcing and maximising opportunities within their work area.
Records Governance Services
Records Governance Services is responsible for ensuring that the University meets its records and information management obligations in line with legislative requirements, in particular with the NSW State Records Act 1998. RGS provides advice, education and support and can assist with implementing best practice records and information management programs throughout the University.
Governance Support
The Governance and Assurance Services plays a pivotal role in enabling effective decision-making by providing strategic advice and operational support to the Governing Bodies of the University, including the Council, Academic Senate, and Executive Leadership Team.
Policy and Delegation
The University of Newcastle Policy Library is the authoritative source for the University’s policy documents.
Insurance
The University maintains relevant and appropriate insurance to protect and cover the core activities of staff, students, business and related entities. You may be covered by the University's insurance if you are undertaking officially approved activities related to your work or study.
Internal audit
Internal Audit is an independent and objective advisory service designed to improve the University’s operations and assist in the achievement of the Looking Ahead Strategic Plan (2020-2025).
Fraud and Corruption
All staff are responsible for contributing to the prevention, detection and response to fraud and corruption within their area, and for ensuring compliance with relevant University Rules, Policies and Procedures.
Incident management
The University has plans in place to manage the risks associated with, and maximise the ability to recover from unforeseen and disruptive events such as natural disasters, loss of critical infrastructure or pandemics.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.