Council
Learn more about Council's role, membership and committees.
The Federation University Australia Council is the governing authority of Federation as set out by the Federation University Australia Act 2010, responsible for the direction and oversight of the University.
Council membership
Council membership includes:
- Official members (Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Academic Board Chair)
- Victorian Government appointed members
- Council appointed members
- Elected staff and student members.
The composition of Council is designed to ensure an appropriate balance of skills, experience and perspectives. This mixed membership supports balanced decision-making where internal members bring operational insight and the student and staff perspective and external members bring independent judgement and expertise.
Council follows the Victorian Government Boards Guidelines for the appointment and remuneration of Council members, to ensure appointments reflect the diversity of the Victorian community.
See Council's skills matrix.
Leadership roles
The Chancellor is appointed by Council and serves in accordance with the University’s governing legislation, statute and regulations.
The Chancellor provides leadership of Council and chairs Council meetings. Where an urgent matter requires action between scheduled Council meetings, the Chancellor may act on Council’s behalf in line with the relevant governing instruments, with actions reported to the next meeting.
Dr Philip Freier was appointed by Council as Federation’s Chancellor in 2025.
The Chancellor is supported by one or more Deputy Chancellors.
The Council has appointed two Deputy Chancellors: Rhonda Whitfield (2020-current) and Professor Andrew Reeves (2025-current).
The Vice‑Chancellor and President is the University’s Chief Executive Officer, appointed by the Council to lead and manage the organisation.
Professor Duncan Bentley was appointed by the Council as Federation’s Vice-Chancellor and President in 2020.
The Vice-Chancellor is supported by the senior leadership team.
Council Meetings
Council and committee meetings are conducted in accordance with approved charters and standing procedures. Council issues a communiqué following each meeting summarising key decisions and items of discussion. Download the latest communique (PDF 200 KB).
Meeting dates
Charters
Academic Board
The Academic Board is the University’s peak academic governance body, responsible for:
- academic quality and standards
- approval of courses and academic policy
- monitoring learning, teaching and research outcomes
- advising Council and the Vice‑Chancellor on academic matters.
Learn more about the University's academic governance.
Review of performance
Council members are required to demonstrate integrity and uphold the University’s Living Values in their conduct.
Council is committed to continuously improving its performance and that of its committees through regular reflection, feedback and evaluation.
Council annually self-assesses its performance and the performance of its standing committees.
At least once every three years, there will be an independent review of Council, its committees and the Chancellor. This includes a review of the University’s corporate, academic and financial governance performance against its regulatory and compliance obligations.
These reviews support continuous improvement and ensure that the University’s governance remains fit for purpose.