Victoria University

For more than a century, VU has proudly offered its students an accessible, internationally engaged and industry-focused education that produces career-ready graduates.

For more than 100 years, Victoria University (VU) has offered accessible, world-class education to students in Melbourne’s west and beyond. As one of only six universities in Australia to deliver both TAFE and Higher Education courses, VU aims to be a global leader in dual sector learning and research.

VU was the first Australian university to use Block Model learning, where students complete one subject over a four-week ‘block’. Since its introduction in 2018, students have become more engaged, get higher pass rates (91% in 2020, up from 74% with the standard model) and achieve better grades (60% distinction level or above). 

VU research offers outstanding cross-disciplinary research opportunities in sport, health and active living, and sustainable industries and liveable cities. The research institutes and centres are supported by their partnerships with industry, resulting in collaborations that address the challenges our communities face.

Partnerships with more than 4000 organisations inform VU’s curriculum and provide students with work-integrated and hands-on practical learning opportunities to ensure they are work ready. Graduates are more employable, meeting the current and future needs of industry.

VU has more than 40,000 students from over 90 countries study onshore, and 5,400 more are at VU’s partner institutions in Asia. It has several campuses in Melbourne’s CBD and western suburbs, and one campus in Sydney.

Governance at Victoria University

Victoria University is regulated by the Victoria University Act 2010 which confers powers upon its peak governing bodies to administer the business, performance and strategy of the University.

The University is governed by: 

  • Council: the formally constituted governing body that oversees and is accountable for all of the University's operations.

  • Vice-Chancellor: the Principal Academic Officer and CEO, and manages the day-to-day business of the University.

  • Academic Board: the body established to assure the quality of the University's teaching, learning and research.

University Governance sits in the Office of the Vice Chancellor. The Governance and Secretariat Unit is responsible for managing many of the governance functions of the University, principally through advice and support of the University's governance bodies.

The Hon Steve Bracks AC

Chancellor of Victoria University

Mr Bracks was installed as Chancellor of Victoria University in 2021.

The Honourable Steve Bracks AC is the seventh Chancellor of Victoria University.

Steve Bracks and VU have a long history of collaboration and in 2017 he was admitted to the degree of Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa, in recognition of nearly 30 years of distinguished service to Victoria, in particular to VU’s heartland of Melbourne’s west. Steve Bracks was one of Victoria’s longest-serving Premiers, in office for eight years.

Steve Bracks was Premier of Victoria for eight years. He now advises several leading Australian finance and service sector corporations and holds two major honorary positions: as an Adviser to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste; and is also the Honorary Chair of the Union Education Foundation. He is Chairman of the superannuation fund Cbus; the Chair of the MCG Trust, Chair of Maurice Blackburn and a Director of Bank of Sydney and Victory Offices.

He also chaired the VU-led West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA), a collaboration of local governments, businesses, and the community. WoMEDA’s economic development strategy focuses on creating high-skills job clusters in the region, especially in Footscray, Sunshine and Werribee.

“I am honoured to take on this important role at VU. The west is experiencing unprecedented growth and prosperity and I am both excited and proud to have an opportunity to help shape the direction of VU. I believe in community, education and supporting VU as it continues its transformation into a world-class university, known internationally for its innovation and job-ready graduates.”

The Council

Roles and Responsibilities

The governing body of Victoria University is the Council (Under Section 8(2) of the Victoria University Act 2010). The Council is the ultimate authority and corporate governing body of the University. Its broad role is to provide overall leadership of the University and oversee and be accountable for the operations of the University.

Key functions include:

  • setting the University strategy

  • approving the University budget

  • ensuring risk is managed

  • protecting the integrity of the University’s qualifications

  • fostering and respecting academic freedom

  • ensuring that the University operates sustainably and is compliant with relevant legislation and regulations.

The Council may delegate certain functions to Committees and management for the effective governance of the University including academic governance. Supporting the Council, and established under delegations, are the following committees:

  • Academic Board

  • Audit and Risk Committee

  • Nominations Committee

  • Remuneration Committee

  • Finance and Investment Committee

  • Infrastructure Planning Committee.

Membership of the University’s Council is as follows:

Official Members

  • Chancellor: The Hon. Steve Bracks AC

  • Vice-Chancellor: Professor Adam Shoemaker (ex-officio)

  • Chair of Academic Board: Professor Tom Clark

Council Members

  • Adrian Pozzo

  • Pru Sanderson

  • Fiona Schutt

  • Joshua Smith

  • Jen Stockwell

  • Felicity Topp

  • Gregory Tucker

  • Cathy Whelan

Elected Members

  • Elected Staff: Professor Alex Parker

  • Elected Student: Sunny Gomboso

Council Membership