Elections

Part 5 of the La Trobe University Act 2009, the University’s Council (Elections) Statute 2016 and Council (Elections) Regulations 2016 require that elections be held to fill the Council and Board positions, as prescribed:

• One member to be elected by and from the academic staff of the University for a term of three (3) years
• One member to be elected by and from the professional staff of the University for a term of three (3) years
• One member to be elected by and from the undergraduate students of the University for a term of one (1) year
• One member to be elected by and from the postgraduate students of the University for a term of one (1) year

Current elected representatives

Staff positions on the La Trobe University Council are held by:

• Professor Raelene Wilding, Head of Department (Social Inquiry), School of Humanities and Social Sciences, for a term of 3 years commencing 13 September 2025 to 12 September 2028.

• Dr Christopher Adda, Director, Research Infrastructure, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Industry Engagement), for a term of 3 years commencing 29 May 2026 to 28  May  2029.

Student positions on the La Trobe University Council are held by:

• Ansh Verma, a Bachelor of Business student for a term commencing 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. Ansh was reelected for a term commencing 01 January 2026 to  31 December 2026.

• Srinidhi Nayak, a Master of Biotechnology Management student, for a term commencing 29 May 2026 to 31 December 2026.

Student election to Council – 2027 vacancies

At the close of nominations at 12 noon on Tuesday 8 September 2026, 34 eligible nominations had been received for the following positions:

• one undergraduate student member — 23 nominations
• one postgraduate student member — 11 nominations

In accordance with the Council Elections Statute 2016, an electronic ballot will be conducted.

Election details

Voting will open at 9.00 am on Wednesday 16 September 2026 and close at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Candidate conduct

All candidates are reminded that campaigning activities undertaken by candidates and their supporters must comply with the behaviours and principles set out in the Council Elections Regulations 2016 and the University Code of Conduct.

In accordance with the Regulations and the Code of Conduct, candidates and their supporters must not:

1. make any untrue, defamatory or discriminatory statements
2. malign other candidates in any way
3. disrupt classes or study areas through campaigning activities
4. offer any form of enticement to voters
5. interfere with voters, including by overseeing or observing them while they cast their vote using the election system
6. engage in any form of harassment or intimidation
7. use money or in-kind support from any other person, organisation or entity to support their election campaign

The Council Elections Regulations 2016 are available here, and the University Code of Conduct is available here.

Voting

All students who are eligible to vote will receive an individual email from our independent election provider, BigPulse, when voting opens. The email will include a secure voting link, voting instructions, and candidate profiles and photos.

Each email contains a unique link that automatically signs you in to the voting system. The email must not be forwarded, and the link can only be used once.

If you do not receive an email, please check your junk or spam folder. For questions about eligibility, voting or candidate conduct, contact elections@latrobe.edu.au.

To be eligible to vote, students must:

• be at least 18 years of age
• be currently enrolled at La Trobe University
• not be a staff member of the University

Students who are also University staff members fall within the staff category and are eligible to vote in the staff member election.

Eligible undergraduate students may vote for the undergraduate student member. Eligible postgraduate students may vote for the postgraduate student member.

Election results will be published as soon as reasonably practicable after voting closes.

Council

The Council is the governing body of the University with responsibility for the general direction and superintendence of the University and may exercise all the powers, functions and duties of the University, subject to the Act, the University Statutes and University Regulations.

In broad terms, Council appoints and monitors the performance of the Vice-Chancellor, approves the mission, direction and strategic plan of the University and oversees the management and performance of the University. The responsibilities, powers and functions of Council are set out in sections 8 and 9 of the Act.

Council comprises ex-officio members, government and council appointed members, and elected members.

All Council members must act in the interest of the whole University and in accordance with the requirements of the Council members rights and responsibilities document.

Staff and students considering nominating in the future for these positions are requested to read the following information:

Under the Regulations set out in section 31 – Prohibition on external campaign support, a candidate in an election must not use the money or any in-kind support of any other person or any organisation or other entity to support in any way the candidate’s election campaign.

For further information email the Council elections team.