La Trobe University 

La Trobe University was established in 1964 and has grown into one of Australia’s leading universities, with more than 38,000 students.  La Trobe has built an international reputation for excellence and confirmed its place as a world-leading University in the latest QS World University subject rankings.

La Trobe University is developing a world-class University City of the Future at the Bundoora Campus and in 2019 commenced major projects to realise this vision, working closely with Commonwealth, Victorian and Local Governments and key industry and community stakeholders.

La Trobe has a proud history of undertaking research to address pressing societal needs, never shying away from progressive and at times controversial topics.  We foster an aspirational and ambitious research and innovation culture.  Research at La Trobe is undertaken by more than 2500 academics and graduate researchers in our Departments, Schools and Colleges at six campuses across Victoria.

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Governance

The La Trobe University Council is the governing authority of the University and is chaired by the Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor is appointed by Council to be the chief executive officer of the University.


Governance

The Chancellor

The Hon. John Brumby AO
Chancellor of La Trobe University

The Hon John Brumby AO was installed as the eighth Chancellor of La Trobe University on 29 March 2019. Mr Brumby has extensive experience in public life, serving as Premier of Victoria (2007 to 2010), Victorian Treasurer (2000-2007), as well as six years as Leader of the Victorian Opposition and seven years as Federal MHR for Bendigo during the Hawke Government era.

Since leaving Government and political life in 2010, Mr Brumby has taken on a range of roles in the business, not for profit and university sectors. He is chair of a number of business organisations including Citywide Solutions Pty Ltd, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Trust, BioCurate and the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) Superannuation Fund.  He also teaches as an Enterprise Professor at the University of Melbourne.

In the not-for-profit sector Mr Brumby is Chair of the Fred Hollows Foundation and recently retired as Chair of the Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute.

Mr Brumby was awarded an Order of Australia in 2017 for distinguished service to the Parliament of Victoria, to economic management and medical biotechnology innovation, to improved rural and regional infrastructure, and to the community.

Term: 29 March 2019-

Governing body

University Council

The La Trobe University Council is the governing authority of the University and is chaired by the Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor is appointed by Council to be the chief executive officer of the University.

The role of the Council, as per the La Trobe University Act, 2009, is to:

  1. Appoint and monitor the performance of the Vice-Chancellor.

  2. Approve the mission and strategic direction, annual budget and business plan.

  3. Oversee and review management and  performance.

  4. Establish policy consistent with legal requirements and community expectations.

  5. Monitor accountability.

  6. Monitor risk.

  7. Oversee and monitor academic activity.

  8. Approve significant University commercial activities.

Composition of Council (See Section 11 of the Act):

  1. The Chancellor – ex officio

  2. The Vice-Chancellor – ex officio

  3. Chair of the Academic Board – ex officio

  4. Four persons appointed by Governor-in-Council

  5. Ministerial appointee

  6. Five members appointed by Council

  7. Elected members

Membership

Official Members

  • Chancellor: The Hon. John Brumby AO (

  • Vice-Chancellor: Professor Theo Farrell (ex-officio)

  • Chair of Academic Board: Professor Carol McKinstry (ex-officio)

Members appointed by the Minister

  • Deputy Chancellor: Margaret Burdeu (30 June 2026)

Members appointed by the Governor-in-Council

  • Deputy Chancellor: Meredith Sussex AM (30 September 2027)

  • Ro Allen (30 June 2026)

  • Paul Hardy (30 June 2026)

  • Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM (4 March 2028)

Members appointed by the Council

  • Deputy Chancellor: Jacqui Savage (31 December 2027)

  • Christine Christian AO (to 31 December 2025)

  • Professor Edwina Cornish AO (to 30 June 2026)

  • Alexandra Gartmann (to 31 December 2026)

  • William Whitford PSM (to 31 December 2025)

Members elected by the university community

  • Staff: Professor Andrea Carson (to 12 September 2025)

  • Students: Ansh Verma (to 31 December 2025)

Committees

Committees of the Council can be found on the Directory. Committees include:

  • Academic Board

  • Corporate Governance, Risk, Internal Audit and Safety Committee

  • Finance and Resources Committee

  • Foundation Committee

  • People and Culture Committee

  • Estates Development and Infrastructure Committee

  • Recovery and Re-Set Committee

  • Remuneration and Nominations Committee