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.

ELECTION RESULTS

Staff election to Council – New position: professional staff member

Following the close of electronic ballots for the election of a professional staff member to the La Trobe University Council, Christopher Adda, Director, Research Infrastructure has been declared elected to Council of La Trobe University for the term commencing 29 May 2026 to 28  May  2029.

The election was undertaken by an independent party and the full results of the election are now available here.

Student election to Council – New position: postgraduate student member

Following the close of electronic ballots for the election of a postgraduate student member to the La Trobe University Council, Srinidhi Nayak, a Master of Biotechnology Management student, has been declared elected to this position for the term commencing 29 May 2026 to 31 December 2026.

The election was undertaken by an independent party and the full results of the election are now available here.

This election follows the work of the Expert Council on University Governance, established by the Australian Government to review governance standards across public universities. Its Final Report and Principles, released in late 2025, emphasise strengthened accountability, transparency, diversity of perspectives, and meaningful engagement with staff and students in institutional decision making.

The La Trobe University Council has considered these Principles and is strongly supportive of their intent. In line with this, Council has resolved to expand its membership to enhance staff and student representation.

Staff membership on University Council will increase from two positions (including the Chair of Academic Board) to three positions, comprising the Chair of Academic Board, one elected academic staff member, and one elected professional staff member. Student membership will also increase from one elected position to two, comprising one undergraduate student and one postgraduate student representative.

These changes will bring staff and student representation (excluding the Vice-Chancellor) to nearly 30 per cent of total Council membership, representing a significant step in strengthening their voice in university governance.

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.