Strengthening University Governance

The Albanese Labor Government is today announcing members of the Expert Council on University Governance. 

The Council will provide expert and technical governance advice to Education Ministers about how to improve university governance and performance. 

As highlighted by the Universities Accord, university governance arrangements have been inadequate, particularly as they relate to universities being good employers. 

There have been far too many examples of universities underpaying staff and failing their responsibilities as employers. 

The Council will assist Ministers in strengthening university governance and ensuring universities are safe and welcoming places to work and study in. 

Education Ministers have agreed to appoint the following government-nominated representatives:

• Ms Melinda Cilento, Chair
• Ms Sharan Burrow AC
• Mr Bruce Cowley 

To complete the Expert Council of 10, the following organisations will have representatives on the Council: 

• University Chancellors Council
• Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Governance Institute of Australia
• Australian Indigenous Governance Institute
• Law Council of Australia
• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
• Universities Australia.

In addition, the National Tertiary Education Union and National Union of Students will play a strong and active role in the Council. They will each nominate an expert to participate in the work of the Expert Council and to provide a bridging role between the Council and the wider university community.

The Council will develop new ‘University Governance Principles and Recommendations’ based on 10 priority areas identified by Education Ministers, designed to enhance the accountability, transparency, engagement and representation of university governing bodies. 

The Council will focus on the following key areas identified as risks in the Australian Universities Accord:

• Ensuring that universities are good employers providing a supportive workplace—and, importantly, a workplace where staff can have confidence that they will not be underpaid for the important work they do.
• Making sure governing bodies have the right expertise, including in the business of running universities.
• Making sure our universities are safe for our students and staff.

This includes ensuring rigorous and transparent processes for developing remuneration policies and settings for senior university staff. 

The Expert Council will consult widely in the course of its work and will provide recommendations to Education Ministers in 2025.

This builds on the work already underway by Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency to issue new guidance and requirements on workplace obligations for higher education providers.

The Department of Education has also engaged an independent expert to support the National Tertiary Education Union, Universities Australia and the Australian Higher Education Industrial Association to assist in identification and resolution of priority issues to ensure universities are exemplary employers.

The Government will also require universities to provide additional data on casual staff numbers to increase transparency and understanding of workforce patterns and issues.

About government-nominated representatives:

• Ms Melinda Cilento, Chair. Ms Cilento is the CEO for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA). She is non-executive Director of Australian Unity and Co-Chair of Reconciliation Australia. Her executive, director and governance policy experience covers the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors and she has a strong track record of working collaboratively across sectors. 
• Ms Sharan Burrow AC. Ms Burrow is a global advocate for human and labour rights and climate action. Ms Burrow is Visiting Professor to the LSE-Grantham institute, a board member of the European Climate foundation, a co-chair of the IEA Labour Council, a Commissioner for the Global Commission on Universal Health Coverage, deputy chair of the B Team, a member of the Commission on Global Climate Governance and a commissioner for the Global Commission on Business and Sustainable Development.
• Mr Bruce Cowley. Mr Cowley has over 40 years’ experience in legal practice specialising in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate governance. In recent years he has been focusing on board roles and writing on corporate governance. During his career, Mr Cowley has been involved in most major sectors of the Australian economy including agribusiness, resources, property, health, government, education and financial services. Mr Cowley has served on the Council of the University of the Sunshine Coast before becoming Deputy Chancellor and acting Chancellor for the final year of his term.