RMIT University 

RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with more than 94,000 students and 11,000 staff globally. The University’s mission is to help shape the world through research, innovation, quality teaching and engagement, and to create transformative experiences for students, getting them ready for life and work.

RMIT is redefining its relationship in working with and supporting Aboriginal self-determination. The goal is to achieve lasting transformation by maturing values, culture, policy and structures in a way that embeds reconciliation in everything the University does. RMIT is changing its ways of knowing and working to support sustainable reconciliation and activate a relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

RMIT’s three campuses in Melbourne – Melbourne City, Brunswick and Bundoora – are located on the unceded lands of the people of the Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation.

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Governance

RMIT University is governed by the Council and Academic Board in accordance with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Act 2010.

RMIT’s Governance Framework (PDF 236KB) applies university wide, including any entities controlled by the University, and aims to set out the functions, responsibilities and membership of the University’s governance bodies.

Governance

The Chancellor

Ms Peggy O’Neal AO
Chancellor of RMIT

Peggy O’Neal AO was appointed Chancellor of RMIT University in October 2021.

Peggy has a lifetime of community and business achievements. She is on the board of Women's Housing Ltd and Dementia Australia Network. From 2017-2020 she was a member of Victoria’s Ministerial Council on Women’s Equality and was convenor of the Minister’s Change Our Game Champions program until July 2018.

She has been President of the Richmond Football Club since 2013 and serves on the AFL's Mental Health Steering Committee and the Australian Institute of Sport Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Advisory Committee.

Peggy is a consultant to Lander & Rogers, specialising in superannuation and financial services law, and was previously a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills. She is chair of Vanguard Superannuation, a director of Infrastructure Specialist Asset Management Limited, VicHealth and the Fulbright Australia Commission.

She is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

In 2018, Peggy was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Swinburne University. In 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her service to football, superannuation and finance law and for the advancement of women in leadership roles. Peggy was also named Melburnian of the Year 2021.

Governing body

University Council

The role of Council is set out in the RMIT Act 2010 (PDF 342 KB) and it is this Act that defines the objectives of RMIT University and the Council’s statutory responsibilities. The Council is chaired by the Chancellor.

The primary responsibilities of the Council include:

  • Appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor

  • Approving the mission and strategic direction of RMIT and its annual budget and business plan

  • Overseeing and reviewing the management of RMIT and its performance

  • Establishing policy and procedural principles for the operation of RMIT, consistent with legal requirements and community expectations

  • Approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability, including overview of any controlled entities

  • Overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management of risk across RMIT, including university commercial activities

  • Overseeing and monitoring RMIT’s academic activities

  • Approving any significant university commercial activities

Membership

Council membership is set out under Section 11 of the RMIT Act as a fixed number of members being:

  • the official members

  • at least 4 government appointed members

  • a minimum of one or any other greater fixed number of Council appointed members

  • the elected members.

Council is comprised to ensure the membership collectively provides the knowledge, skills and experience required to provide successful stewardship to the University, ensuring its sustainability and success.

Official Members

  • Chancellor: Ms Peggy O’Neal AO

  • Vice-Chancellor: Professor Alec Cameron

  • Chair of Academic Board: Professor Ehsan Gharaie

Members appointed by the Governor-in-Council

  • Dr David Hayward (30 June 2027)

  • Ms Michelle Fitzgerald (31 December 2026)

  • Mr Narayan Prasad (13 August 2027)

Members appointed by the Minister

  • Ms Maria Peters (30 June 2026)

Members appointed by the Council

  • Ms Megan Haas (31 December 2025)

  • Ms Kylie Maher (30 June 2027)

  • Ms Philippa Taylor (30 June 2028)

  • Ms Lynn Warneke (30 September 2028)

Members elected by the university community

  • Staff: Professor Asha Rao (31 October 2027)

  • Students: Mr Finbar Bray (31 October 2026)