The University Chancellors Council

About the UCC

Since 2004, the University Chancellors Council (UCC) has supported best practice governance of Australia’s universities. Our work platforms excellent governance practices and drives stronger outcomes for universities.

In 2004, the UCC was established as the University Chancellors Conference. It was renamed in 2007 to the University Chancellors Council. Since 2004, the UCC has been made up of Chancellors from Australian universities and exists as a means for Chancellors — as well as their governing bodies, and universities as a whole — to discuss relevant governance areas for Australian universities.

The UCC supports Australian universities in carrying out their mission of education and research in their local settings, recognising that there is great diversity across the higher education sector in Australia.

One of the key components of the work of the UCC since its establishment in 2004 has been the development and continual update of its Voluntary Codes. These Codes have been created and updated with the intent to support Australian universities in governance practice standardisation, while emphasising the best practice in university governance that is applicable across the sector. Universities make an attestation statement to their adherence to the UCC Codes in their Annual Reports, tabled in their respective state/territory parliament annually.

City buildings from the ground looking up.

UCC Governance

The University Chancellors Council is committed to excellence in governance, recognising the importance of governance and governing bodies in the mission, outcomes, integrity, and risk management of organisations.

The University Chancellors Council is governed by a voluntary group: the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is led by the UCC Convenor, who is nominated for a 3-year duration. The Convenor’s role is to act as the Chair of the University Chancellors Council and the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee is made up of ten Chancellors across Australia, representing a range of university regions and groupings. They meet up to six times per year to review key areas for universities and their governance, and to advance focus areas for the UCC.

See our contact page to reach out to the UCC Executive committee.

The Executive Committee

  • Professor John Pollaers OAM, Convenor of the UCC

    CHANCELLOR
    Swinburne University of Technology

  • Professor Ngiare Brown

    CHANCELLOR
    James Cook University

  • The Hon. Patricia Forsythe AM

    CHANCELLOR
    University of Newcastle

  • Dr Vanessa Guthrie AO

    CHANCELLOR
    Curtin University

  • Mr John Hood

    CHANCELLOR
    Flinders University

  • Sir Angus Houston AK AC AFC (Ret'd)

    CHANCELLOR
    University of the Sunshine Coast

  • Mr Graeme Innes AM

    CHANCELLOR
    CQ University

  • Mr John Stanhope AM

    CHANCELLOR
    Deakin University

  • Mr Peter Varghese AO

    CHANCELLOR
    University of Queensland

  • Ms Alison Watkins AM

    CHANCELLOR
    University of Tasmania

  • Ms Jennifer Westacott AO

    CHANCELLOR
    Western Sydney University