An expert council has been formed to strengthen university governance.

The Albanese Government says the formation of the Expert Council on University Governance will provide guidance to Australian universities on a range of issues.  

The Council was established in response to concerns highlighted by the Universities Accord, which found governance arrangements inadequate, particularly regarding universities' responsibilities as employers. 

Chaired by Melinda Cilento, the Council consists of ten members, including government-nominated representatives Sharan Burrow AC and Bruce Cowley. 

Additional representatives will come from organisations such as the University Chancellors Council, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and the Governance Institute of Australia. 

The National Tertiary Education Union and the National Union of Students will also contribute experts to ensure broad representation.  

The Council will focus on ten priority areas, including ensuring universities are good employers, improving governing bodies’ expertise, and strengthening safety for students and staff. 

It will also oversee the development of new ‘University Governance Principles and Recommendations’.  

Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy has welcomed the initiative.

“Good governance is crucial for good universities, and every opportunity to embrace best practice in the oversight of such complex organisations is to be welcomed,” he said. 

The Council is expected to begin providing recommendations to Education Ministers in 2025.

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