La Trobe University 

Australia’s newest major university in a generation.

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.

Governance at La Trobe University

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 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.

The Council

Roles and Responsibilities

The role of the Council, as per the La Trobe University Act 2009 (VIC) , 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.

The Council composition is made up of the Chancellor (ex-officio), the Vice-Chancellor (ex-officio), the Chair of the Academic Board (ex-officio), and the following (per the La Trobe Act):

  • One Ministerial appointment

  • Four persons appointed by Governor-in-Council

  • Five members appointed by the Council

  • Elected members, including one staff and one student elected

Membership of La Trobe University’s Council is as follows:

Official Members

  • Chancellor: The Hon. John Brumby AO

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

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

Appointed Members (Ministerial)

  • Deputy Chancellor: Margaret Burdeu (to 30 June 2026)

Appointed Members (Governor-in-Council)

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

  • Ro Allen (30 June 2026)

  • Paul Hardy (to 30 June 2026)

  • Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM (to 4 March 2028)

Appointed Members (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)

Elected Members

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

  • Elected Student: Ansh Verma (to 31 December 2025)

Council Membership

Council Sub-Committees

Other governing bodies within the university include:

  • 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

  • Academic Board