Australia’s university chancellors and vice-chancellors will be represented within a single national body after universities voted to bring both groups together under Universities Australia (UA).
The change expands UA’s role beyond sector advocacy to include the governance work currently led by the University Chancellors Council (UCC). It comes as universities prepare to meet new national standards on accountability and oversight.
Three chancellors will join UA’s board on an interim basis: John Hood of Flinders University, Diane Smith-Gander of the University of Western Australia and Sandra McPhee of Southern Cross University.
Under UA’s new constitution, the board will comprise the chief executive, seven vice-chancellor directors and three chancellor directors. A chancellor director will also chair a new university governance committee.
UA chair Carolyn Evans said the arrangement would give the sector “a stronger platform for collaboration and a more unified national voice”.
“As publicly funded institutions, universities have a responsibility to maintain high standards, and this change reflects our shared commitment to ensuring they are well governed, well represented and well placed to meet the expectations of the communities we serve,” she said.
UA chief executive Luke Sheehy said the change would broaden the expertise the organisation could draw on, “while keeping our focus where it belongs – on students, research and the contribution universities make to the nation”.
The UCC will cease operating on October 31 and transfer its activities to UA, with the results of the first full board election under the new arrangements to be ratified at UA’s annual general meeting in March 2027.
Bringing chancellors and vice-chancellors together strengthens our collective leadership of the sector
John Pollaers, UCC
The shift comes amid a wider push to improve university governance, following a Senate inquiry into the transparency of university decision-making and senior executive pay, and an expert council’s work on principles for stronger oversight.
The government has since incorporated new governance requirements into the Higher Education Standards Framework.
From January 2027, the amended governance standards will apply to Australian universities listed in Table A of higher education legislation. Those universities will be required to publish the decisions and outcomes of governing body meetings, consultancy spending and vice-chancellor remuneration. Other higher education providers must meet the governance standards applicable to them from July 2027.
UCC convenor John Pollaers said the two organisations had worked together on the arrangements.
“Bringing chancellors and vice-chancellors together strengthens our collective leadership of the sector. It carries forward the work of the UCC while building our capacity to strengthen governance, anticipate emerging issues and maintain public confidence in Australian universities,” he said.
