School-level Student Advisory Groups

Have ideas? Want to shape the student experience at La Trobe? Here’s your chance. Student Advisory Groups enable you to provide insights and use your voice to implement important and lasting changes within your School.

About Student Advisory Groups

Student Advisory Groups are one of the formal ways we partner with students to shape what studying at La Trobe feels like — for students, by students.

Student Advisory Groups provide a space within each of La Trobe’s 10 Schools where undergraduate and postgraduate students can come together with staff to share insights, discuss what’s working (and what isn’t), and collaborate on ways to improve the student experience.

Real impact driven by Student Advisory Groups

Student Advisory Groups help shape real improvements across La Trobe’s Schools. Here are some of the positive changes made based on student insights and collaboration.

School of Psychology and Public Health

Student-led Course Improvements

  • Introduced course-level advisory groups to increase relevance and access.
  • Student insights directly shaped course redesign and improved review processes.

School of Education

Student Feedback Transforming Practice

  • Reduced use of breakout rooms after students challenged online engagement assumptions.
  • Triggered clearer guidance and student rights discussions around GenAI use.

La Trobe Business School

Insights Strengthening Programs

  • Student perspectives informed program and teaching enhancements, especially around AI.
  • Exceptional engagement strengthened the School’s learning community culture.

Why you should join your School's Student Advisory Group

Student Advisory Group members represent their peers and help influence positive change, while gaining valuable experience in representative leadership and making change.

  • Make an impact: Your insights help shape subjects, teaching practices, communication, and future plans in your School.
  • Build confidence: You’ll learn to communicate your ideas and influence change.
  • Work directly with staff: You get a seat at the table with academic and professional staff who genuinely want to hear your perspective.
  • Connect with other students: Collaborate with peers who are passionate about improving the student experience.
  • Learn how universities work: Understand how decisions are made and how your School plans and priorities come together.

How Student Advisory Groups work

Each School has its own Student Advisory Group (or Groups), with focus areas that change every year. You don’t need any special experience — just enthusiasm and a willingness to share your perspective.

  • Up to 10 student representatives per School
  • Actions and insights are shared back to School and university committees to influence decision‑making
  • Discussions centre on real student insights, key issues, and ideas for solutions
  • Two to three meetings per year — we keep things focused so your commitment is manageable
  • Up to three School staff

What a year looks like

  • Training – Semester 1 (Weeks 2-6)

    Live online training with other students exploring:

    • representative leadership
    • how to message your insights for your audience
    • student feedback trends

    Additional online module to dive deeper into university decision-making and influencing change.

  • Meeting 1 - Semester 1 (Week 7/8)

    • Meet the group and get background on key focus areas
    • Share your experiences and ideas
    • Decide what the group will dive deeper into
  • Meeting 2 - Semester 2 (Week 2/3)

    • Hear what changes or actions came from Meeting 1
    • Reflect on the semester and exam period
    • Identify any new gaps or challenges
  • Meeting 3 - Semester 2 (Week 9/10)

    • Get updates on long‑term plans
    • Celebrate wins and reflect on the impact you made this year

How to join

Student representatives are selected through an open Expression of Interest process each year. Make sure you’ve read the Role Description (below) to understand what you’re committing to.

If you’re passionate about sharing your ideas and insights to improve experiences for everyone, express your interest now.

Contact

If you have any questions about Student Advisory Groups, please contact the Student Voice and Partnerships team at studentpartnership@latrobe.edu.au