University of New South Wales

A leading university, committed to making a difference.

Established in 1949 with a unique focus on the scientific, technological and professional disciplines, UNSW Sydney is a leading Australian university committed to making a difference through pioneering research and preparing the next generation of talented global citizens for career success.

UNSW has a proud tradition of sustained innovation, focusing on areas critical to its future – from climate change and renewable energies to lifesaving medical treatments and breakthrough technologies. In the social sciences, UNSW research informs policy and expert commentary in key issues facing society ranging from human rights and constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians to public health and population ageing.

UNSW offers an extensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs and attracts talented students from across Australia and around the world. With 60,000-plus students from around the world, UNSW is one of Australia’s most cosmopolitan universities.

UNSW is a founding member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, and the prestigious Universitas 21 international network. The main UNSW campus is located on a 38-hectare site at Kensington, seven kilometres from the centre of Sydney. Other major campuses are Art & Design in Paddington and UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Governance at the University of New South Wales

The University's governance is supported by a committee structure which includes the University Council, Academic Board, University Committees and Faculty Boards and committees.

Authority for their establishment and functions can be found in the:

Governance provides administrative support to the University Council, Academic Board, university committees and Faculty Boards and committees. It has responsibility for management of the Register of Delegations and the University's Policy Framework and administers a range of statutory and internal compliance obligations, including the conduct of Council, Academic Board and Faculty Board elections. You may refer to the Overview of the UNSW Governance Framework for further information.

Mr David Gonski AC

Chancellor of the University of New South Wales

Mr David Gonski AC was elected by the University of New South Wales Council as its Chancellor of the University in 2005. He has since been reappointed until July 2023.

David graduated in Commerce and Law from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 1975 and 1976 respectively. He is trained as a solicitor and was a partner at Freehills (now called Herbert Smith Freehills).

David is Chairman of the UNSW Foundation and President of the Art Gallery of NSW Trust.  He is Non-Executive Chairman of Barrenjoey Capital Partners Group Holdings Pty Limited, a Director of the Sydney Airport Corporation Board, a Director of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, a non-executive Member of LeapFrog Investment’s Global Leadership Council, Chair of the Accelerating R&D in NSW Advisory Committee, a Patron of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and Raise Foundation and a Founding Panel Member of Adara Partners.

He was Chairman of the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools and of the Review of Funding for Schooling. In addition, he was a member of the Takeovers Panel, the Committee of Inquiry into Charitable Related Organizations and of the Nugent Committee, which examined the major arts organisations in Australia.

David was previously Chairman of ANZ Banking Group, Chairman of ASX Ltd, Coca-Cola Amatil, the Guardians of the Future Fund, Sydney Theatre Company, the Australia Council for the Arts, National Institute of Dramatic Arts, the Trustees of Sydney Grammar School and the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) and was a Director of Singapore Airlines, the Westfield Group and Infrastructure NSW.

The Council

The governing authority of the University is the Council, established under the University of New South Wales Act 1989 (NSW). The Council:

  • acts for and on behalf of the University in the exercise of the University’s functions, and

  • has the control and management of the affairs and concerns of the University, and

  • may act in all matters concerning the University in such manner as appears to the Council to be best calculated to promote the object and interests of the University.

Membership of the University Council is as follows:

Official Members

  • Chancellor: Mr David Gonski AO (to 31 December 2026)

  • Vice-Chancellor: Professor Attila Brungs (ex-officio) (to 31 December 2026)

  • President of the Academic Board: Professor Scott Kable (to 31 December 2026)

Appointed Members (Ministerial)

  • Justice Elizabeth Cheeseman (to 5 December 2025)

  • Aunty Maxine Ryan (to 1 August 2028)

Appointed Members (Council)

  • Ms Luan Atkinson (to 30 June 2029)

  • Ms Maxine Brenner (to 30 June 2026)

  • Mr Mark Johnson (to 30 June 2028)

  • Vacant

  • Deputy Chancellor: Mr Warwick Negus (to 30 June 2026)

Elected Members

  • Academic Staff: Professor Justine Nolan (to 30 June 2026)

  • Academic Staff: Dr Lana Tatour (to 30 June 2026)

  • Professional Staff: Ms Catherine Rowe (to 30 June 2026)

  • Undergraduate Student: Pepsi Sharma (to 30 June 2026)

  • Postgraduate Student: Mr James Raggatt (to 30 June 2026)

Council Membership

Council Sub-Committees

Other governing bodies within the university include:

  • Audit Committee

  • Finance and Strategy Committee

  • Honorary Degrees Committee

  • Information Technology Committee

  • Remuneration and People Committee

  • Safety and Risk Committee