Expert Council on University Governance

Ensuring that universities are good employers providing a supportive workplace—and, importantly, a workplace where staff can have confidence that they will not be underpaid for the important work they do.

Making sure governing bodies have the right expertise, including in the business of running universities.

Making sure our universities are safe for our students and staff.

achieve a balance between higher education and other expertise on the governing body, with at least one non-executive member who has university leadership expertise from outside the institution

improve structures and processes to ensure that high risk and high priority matters reflect consultation and engagement with the university community and have appropriate oversight and reporting to and by the governing body

reflect the diversity of the Australian community, and the specific characteristics of the university community they serve, in making appointments

achieve gender balance on the governing body in line with jurisdictional and Australian Government targets

have First Nations membership on the governing body, and separate, transparent processes to capture First Nations leadership and engagement on university strategy, policies and performance

have one or more student members of the governing body, and separate, transparent processes to capture student input on university strategy, policies and performance

have one or more staff members of the governing body, and separate, transparent processes to capture staff and union input on university strategy, policies and performance

require all new appointments to go through a rigorous and transparent selection process that utilises a formal and regularly updated skills, capabilities, and diversity selection matrix that is in line with their jurisdiction’s requirements and directed to the selection of the person best suited to the position

require all governing body members to have, or undertake, training on the specific responsibilities and expectations of their role as governing body members, and separately clarify the way the role of governing body members is described

demonstrate and maintain a rigorous and transparent process for developing remuneration policies and settings for senior university staff, with consideration given to comparable scale and complexity public sector entities and ensure remuneration policies and packages are publicly reported.

ensuring rigorous and transparent processes for developing remuneration policies and settings for senior university staff