The University of Western Australia

The University was established under, and is governed by, the University of Western Australia Act 1911.

Senate

The Senate is the University's governing body, empowered with the authority to make statutes, regulations and by-laws as detailed in the University Calendar. Standing committees of the Senate meet regularly and make recommendations to the Senate on relevant matters.

The Senate consists of 21 members:

• four appointed by the Governor
• four elected by Convocation
• three elected by and from the academic staff of the University
• one elected by and from the general staff of the University
• one elected by and from the membership of the Academic Board
• two elected by and from enrolled students of the University
• one elected by and from the Postgraduate Students' Association
• three co-opted members
• the Chancellor - ex officio
• the Vice-Chancellor - ex officio.

All elected, appointed and co-opted members other than the students have four year terms, and may serve for no more than twelve years.

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Officers of the University

The Chancellor - elected by Senate for a four-year term either from among its members or from elsewhere. The Chancellor is the chair of the Senate.

The Pro-Chancellor, who is also elected for a four-year term, acts in the Chancellor's absence.

The positions of Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor are honorary.

The following officers comprise jointly what is known as the Executive:

• Vice-Chancellor - Chief Executive Officer of the University
• Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
• Executive Director (Academic Services) and Registrar
• Executive Director (Finance and Resources)

Additionally there is:

• The Pro Vice-Chancellors (3) (Teaching and Learning, Research and Research Training, Research Initiatives).
• Faculty Deans (9)
• Dean of the School of Indigenous Studies 

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Academic Board

The Academic Board is the chief academic body in the University. Its constitution, membership and terms of reference are set out in Statute No. 19 and in the Regulations made pursuant to this Statute. It has delegated authority for most of its business to the Academic Council.

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Faculties

There are nine Faculties, each of which comprises groups of cognate schools. Deans are responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the administration of their Faculties, and Heads of School administer the schools within a Faculty.

The appointed Deans have Faculty executive roles covering research, teaching, academic structures and academic processes, as well as delegated authority from the Vice-Chancellor to manage University resources and to implement Faculty plans, University policies and priorities.

Details of membership of the Faculties and Faculty boards and terms of reference are given in Statute No. 8 and in Faculty Governance documents.

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Convocation, the UWA Graduates' Association

Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association, consists of University graduates and some others who are eligible to be members under the provisions of Section 17 of the University Act. The Warden of Convocation, is elected annually by the members of Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association.

Convocation, the UWA Graduates' Association meets twice yearly. Under section 31 of the University Act all amendments to statutes must be referred to Convocation, the UWA Graduates Association for review before they can be submitted to the Governor in Executive Council for approval, and subsequent advertisement in the Government Gazette.

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