Landmark reform of Australian university leadership

Australian university Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors will come together within a single national representative body following a landmark reform approved by Universities Australia members. 

The reform follows two years of work by the University Chancellors Council (UCC), convened by Swinburne Chancellor John Pollaers OAM, to strengthen university governance, accountability and public confidence. 

The new arrangements bring together Universities Australia’s national advocacy and representation with the UCC’s work to strengthen governance and institutional assurance across Australian universities. 

The agreement follows extensive collaboration between the two organisations and establishes a framework for Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors to work together on the challenges facing Australian higher education. 

Universities Australia Chair Professor Carolyn Evans described the reform as “an important new chapter for the sector” and, in her communication to Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors following the successful vote, acknowledged Chancellor Pollaers’ contribution, saying he had “worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome”. 

Flinders University Chancellor John Hood said Chancellor Pollaers had helped bring together university leaders and stakeholders around a shared commitment to reform. 

“What stands out is not simply what has been achieved, but how. John has brought people together around a common purpose - Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors, staff and students, government, regulators and other stakeholders - while continuing his role on leading meaningful reform.” Chancellor Hood said. 

Swinburne Interim Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Ridings, who participated in the Universities Australia meeting approving the arrangements, said “The sector will be stronger when its governance and executive leadership are working together through one national body”. 

The agreement follows a substantial program of governance and social licence reform pursued by the UCC under Chancellor Pollaers’ convenorship since October 2024. 

The work has addressed governance standards and assurance, executive remuneration, workforce integrity, student safety, international education governance, transparency and accountability. 

At Swinburne, Council has also approved reforms to strengthen governance assurance and engagement with staff and students. 

These include an additional elected staff position and an additional elected student position on Council, with elections scheduled for March 2027, ongoing staff and student forums, plans for a First Nations Advisory Body and externally validated annual workforce reporting. 

On 21 October, Swinburne held its inaugural staff and student collaborative governance forums, bringing Council members, university leadership, staff and student representatives together to share experiences and discuss opportunities for improvement. 

Professor William Lye OAM KC, Swinburne Council Member, said the emphasis on meaningful engagement and effective governance was also evident in Chancellor Pollaers’ approach to Council’s work. 

“John’s focus has been on whether governance works in practice: whether Council is hearing the right voices, receiving the right information, and understanding what is happening across the institution. 

“That same philosophy is visible in his national work: stronger governance, greater engagement, and a willingness to take on the hard questions.” 

The UCC formally concluded operations on 31 October 2026, after more than two decades of collaboration between Australian university Chancellors. 

Under the new arrangements, Chancellors will serve alongside Vice-Chancellors on the Universities Australia Board, supported by a dedicated University Governance Committee and continuing collaboration on national strategy and governance reform. 

Chancellor Pollaers said the decision to bring the UCC to an end reflected the principles of institutional stewardship that had guided its work. 

“Institutions must be prepared to change when there is a better way to serve their purpose.”