Victoria University
ANU is a world-leading university in Australia’s capital. Excellence is embedded in our approach to research and education.
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.
Multi award-winning learning models
Students benefit from VU’s award-winning learning models and flexible pathways across short courses, apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas and bachelor degrees, as well as masters and PhDs.
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 Polytechnic, VU’s TAFE provider, has award-winning interactive eLearning models that replaces paper-based theory with a combination of face-to-face, hands-on teaching and user-friendly e-learning tools.
Impactful research
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.
Industry-leading partners
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.
Celebrating diversity
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.
For more than a century, VU has proudly offered its students an accessible, internationally engaged and industry-focused education that produces career-ready graduates.
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 Australian National University
The Hon Steve Bracks AC was Premier of Victoria for eight years. He now advises several leading Australian finance and service sector corporations. Mr Bracks also 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.
Mr Bracks was installed as Chancellor of Victoria University in 2021.
The Council
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.
Council Membership
Council Members
Chancellor: The Hon. Steve Bracks AC (Chair)
Vice-Chancellor: Professor Adam Shoemaker
Deputy Chancellor: Kate Roffey (Deputy Chair)
Chair of the Academic Board: Professor Tom Clark
Council Members
Pru Sanderson
Fiona Schutt
Joshua Smith
Jen Stockwell
Felicity Topp
Gregory Tucker
Cathy Whelan
Adrian Pozzo
Elected Members
Staff: Professor Alex Parker
Student: Sunny Gomboso