Governance
Learn about the decision-making bodies at ACU, meet our Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor, and understand the University’s governance structure.
Chancellor
The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC is the fifth Chancellor of Australian Catholic University (ACU). In this role, he is chairperson of the Senate, the governing body, and chairs the Senate Standing Committee and Honorary Awards Committee. He served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland from 13 July 2007 to 31 December 2021. He was also President of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal from October 2017 until November 2021.
Pro-Chancellor
As Pro-Chancellor of ACU, Virginia Bourke brings experience as a lawyer and Non-Executive Director across a range of sectors including health, aged care, community services, education, training and publishing. She has particular expertise in the governance of charitable not-for-profit organisations.
Our governing bodies
Governing Senate
The Senate is ACU’s governing authority. Its members’ roles include managing the budget, creating policy, overseeing University operations, and ensuring adequate risk management procedures are implemented and followed.
Meet our SenateOur State Chapters
To connect ACU with local communities, we have State Chapters in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. These chapters report to the Senate and act as advisory bodies, but have no direct governance role.
Meet our State ChaptersOur Academic Board
Our Academic Board reports to the Senate and is responsible for all academic matters, including conducting quality assurance, developing academic policy, recommending new courses to the Senate, and initiating course reviews.
Meet our Academic BoardSenate and Board Elections
Elections are held to appoint members to the Senate and Academic Board from the University’s academic body. The Senate also holds elections to appoint a professional staff member and a student.
Understand electionsCorporation
ACU is a public company. The Corporation, as enshrined in our constitution, is responsible for maintaining a university that adheres to the Catholic faith and is committed to the pursuit of truth through academic enquiry.
Read more about the Corporation
Governance structure
Download a chart of our governance structure, understand the hierarchy of our governing bodies, and learn more about key personnel.
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Governance directorate
Meet the personnel within our Governance Directorate, and get an overview of the directorate’s role at the University.
Meet the teamUniversity leadership
Learn more about the Vice-Chancellor and President and senior leadership team, and understand our leadership structure.
Meet key leadersGuiding principles
Our statutes, regulations and policies direct the internal organisation, management and governance of the University.
Review documentsGovernment engagement
We engage with all levels of government to help develop public policy and ensure we’re meeting government regulations.
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