Notice of election
A notice of election is sent via email to the relevant electorate whenever an election is to be held. When the number of nominations for a vacancy exceeds the number of positions to be filled, elections will be conducted online.
Election dates and times
- Nominations open: 9am on Monday 15 September 2025
- Nominations close: 5pm on Monday 29 September 2025
- Election candidates announced: Thursday 2 October 2025
- Voting opens: 9am on Tuesday 7 October 2025
- Voting closes: 5pm on Monday 13 October 2025
- Election results announced: Thursday 16 October 2025
University Council
| Elected position | Elected by and from | Level requirements | Term | Elected candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | All University Staff | All levels | 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027 | TBC |
Academic Senate
| Elected positions |
Elected by and from |
Level requirements |
Term |
Elected Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five | Swinburne higher education academic | All levels |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027 |
|
| One | School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education |
Academic D or E |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027 |
|
| One | School of Science, Computing and Emerging Technologies |
Academic D or E |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027 |
|
| One | School of Health Sciences |
Academic D or E |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027 |
|
| Two | Vocational Education Training departments |
Senior Educator level or equivalent |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2027 |
|
UniSuper
| Elected positions |
Elected by and from |
Level requirements |
Term |
Elected Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One |
Academic staff** | Academic staff** | 30 May 2024 – 15 October 2027 |
|
| One | Non-academic staff** | Non-academic staff** | 16 October 2023 – 15 October 2027 |
|
**who are UniSuper members
University Council
| Elected positions | Elected by and from | Level requirements |
Term |
Elected Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One |
Students |
All levels |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026 |
|
Academic Senate
| Elected positions |
Elected by and from |
Level requirements |
Term |
Elected Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One |
Students |
AQF level 1 to 6 (Certificate to Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree) |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026 |
|
| Two | Students |
AQF level 7 to 9 (Bachelor to Master Degree) | 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026 |
|
| One |
Students |
Higher degree by research students |
1 January 2026 – 31 December 2026 |
|
Changes to School Academic Committee (SAC) Representation
To strengthen the student voice in education, Swinburne is making changes in 2026 to how student feedback is represented at the school level.
In recent years, student membership on School Academic Committees (SAC) has not delivered the consistent, coordinated input required to influence decision-making effectively. SACs are primarily internal administrative bodies, and as a result students will no longer be elected to these committees.
To facilitate student representation in 2026, Swinburne will increase support for Staff Student Consultative Committees (SSCC), which have proven to be more active and effective in gathering student feedback. In addition to the SSCCs for each school, new SSCCs will be established for Vocational Education (VE) and Swinburne Online (SOL), and each school will now formally present SSCC feedback to SAC on a regular basis.
In addition, the Swinburne Student Association has launched a twice-yearly Education Forum. This forum brings together students from SSCCs, clubs, leadership groups and the wider student community to discuss key issues in education and wellbeing. Feedback from these forums will be formally communicated to university leaders.
Need to contact us?
Email the Returning Officer, University Elections via elections@swinburne.edu.au.