University of New South Wales

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 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.

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Governance

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:

An overview of the UNSW Governance Framework can be found here.

Governance

The Chancellor

Mr David Gonski AC
Chancellor of UNSW

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.

Governing body

University 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

UNSW Council Membership can be found on the UNSW site. Full bios for Council Members are available on the UNSW website.

Official Members

  • Chancellor: Mr David Gonski AO (31 December 2025)

  • Vice-Chancellor: Professor Attila Brungs (ex-officio) (31 December 2031)

  • President of the Academic Board: Professor Scott Kable (31 December 2025)

Members appointed by the Minister

  • The Hon. Justice Elizabeth Cheeseman (5 December 2029)

  • Aunty Maxine Ryan (1 August 2028)

Members appointed by the Council

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

  • Ms Luan Atkinson (30 June 2029)

  • Ms Maxine Brenner (30 June 2026)

  • Mr James Hooke (30 June 2029)

  • Mr Mark Johnson (30 June 2028)

Members elected by the university community

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

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

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

  • Students (Postgraduate): Mr James Raggatt (30 June 2026)

  • Students (Undergraduate): Ms Jessica Gough (30 June 2026)