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Student elections
Current elections 2026
2026 elections
Student representatives play a critical role in the governance of the University of Sydney. As an elected representative you sit alongside senior University leaders and academic staff, bringing the student perspective to the decisions that shape teaching, research, student experience and the University's strategic direction.
Elections are being held in 2026 for a number of student positions, including:
- student Fellows of Senate
- student members of the Academic Board
- student representatives on faculty boards and University school boards.
Role of student representatives
As a student representative you will:
represent the interests of your fellow students in the University's formal governance bodies.
influence University decision-making on matters that affect students directly.
contribute to the University's future direction, including its strategy, academic quality and student experience.
develop leadership and governance experience that is valued well beyond your studies.
build networks with senior University leaders, academic staff and students from across every faculty and University school
Key dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations open | Monday 24 August 2026, 9 am AEST |
| Candidate information session | Thursday 3 September 2026, 2.30pm AEST |
| Nominations close | Monday 14 September 2026, 12 pm AEST |
| Voting opens | Monday 12 October 2026, 9 am AEDT |
| Voting closes | Monday 2 November 2026, 4 pm AEDT |
| Declaration of results | Monday 2 November 2026, 4:30 pm AEDT |
Eligibility
Candidates, nominators and voters must all meet the eligibility requirements that apply to the relevant election.
These elections are conducted under the relevant University legislation and rules, including the University of Sydney Act 1989, the University of Sydney By-law 1999, the University of Sydney (Academic Board) Rule 2017 and the University of Sydney (Governance of Faculties and University Schools) Rule 2016 and the Elections Policy 2022.
Eligibility is generally assessed as at the close of nominations (12 pm AEST, Monday 14 September 2026), and depends on your enrolment appearing on the relevant roll of students. Students whose names appear on the roll of academic or non-academic staff are not eligible.
Detailed eligibility requirements are set out in the election notices and nomination materials. Please read them carefully before you nominate.
Senate candidate requirements
Senate nominations are managed directly through the Returning Officer. They are not submitted through the online nomination form used for other positions. Prospective Senate candidates must contact secretariat.elections@sydney.edu.au to obtain the nomination documentation.
After nominations close and before any ballot is conducted, Senate candidates are required to meet with the Chief Governance Officer and Returning Officer to confirm their candidacy and discuss candidate obligations. This meeting is a mandatory step in the Senate election process, a nominee cannot proceed to become a candidate, campaign, or ballot without it.
Senate nominations also require supporting declarations (including fit and proper person and gender-based violence declarations), a 100-word information statement and a photograph. Full details are provided with the nomination documentation.
An election is being held for two student Fellows of the Senate:
one (1) undergraduate student Fellow of Senate
one (1) postgraduate student Fellow of Senate.
Term of office: 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2028.
Conducted under: the University of Sydney Act 1989 and Chapter 4 of the University of Sydney By-law 1999.
How to nominate
- Request the nomination form by emailing secretariat.elections@sydney.edu.au.
- Your nomination form must be signed by at least two qualified voters from the same category as you (undergraduate or postgraduate), and by you, to signify your consent.
- You must also provide the required declarations, a 100-word information statement and a photograph.
- Completed nominations must reach the Chief Governance Officer and Returning Officer by 12 pm AEST, Monday 14 September 2026.
- There must be a separate nomination form for each nominee. No qualified voter may nominate themselves or more than one nominee.
- After nominations close and before any ballot, you must meet with the Chief Governance Officer and Returning Officer to confirm your candidacy - see the Senate candidate requirements above.
An election is being held for student members of the Academic Board, with positions allocated across faculties and University schools.
Term of office: 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027.
Conducted under: the University of Sydney (Academic Board) Rule 2017 and the Elections Policy 2022.
| Faculty / University school | Positions |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences | 4 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate, 2 unallocated |
| University of Sydney Business School | 2 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate |
| Faculty of Engineering | 2 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate |
| Faculty of Medicine and Health | 4 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate, 2 unallocated |
| Faculty of Science | 4 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate, 2 unallocated |
| Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning | 2 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate |
| Sydney Conservatorium of Music | 2 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate |
| Sydney Law School | 2 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate |
How to nomiate
Nominations are completed online using the electronic nomination form. Your completed nomination must be submitted to the Chief Governance Officer and Returning Officer by 12 pm AEST, Monday 14 September 2026. It is the responsibility of candidates and nominators to ensure the nomination procedures are followed.
An election is being held for student representatives on faculties, University schools, faculty boards and University school boards.
Term of office: 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027.
Conducted under: the University of Sydney (Governance of Faculties and University Schools) Rule 2016 and the Elections Policy 2022.
| Faculty / University school board | Positions |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences | 8 positions: 4 undergraduate, 2 postgraduate coursework, 2 higher degree by research |
| University of Sydney Business School | 6 positions: 2 undergraduate, 2 postgraduate coursework, 2 higher degree by research |
| Faculty of Engineering | 5 positions: 3 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate coursework, 1 higher degree by research |
| Faculty of Medicine and Health | 4 positions: 1 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate coursework, 2 higher degree by research |
| Faculty of Science | 10 positions: 5 undergraduate, 2 postgraduate coursework, 3 higher degree by research |
| Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning | 4 positions: 2 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate coursework, 1 higher degree by research |
| Sydney Conservatorium of Music | 4 positions: 2 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate coursework, 1 higher degree by research |
| Sydney Law School | 4 positions: 1 undergraduate, 2 postgraduate coursework, 1 higher degree by research |
| Faculty / University school board | Positions |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences | 10 positions: 4 undergraduate, 3 postgraduate coursework, 3 higher degree by research |
| University of Sydney Business School | 12 positions: 4 undergraduate, 4 postgraduate coursework, 4 higher degree by research |
| Faculty of Engineering | 10 positions: 6 undergraduate, 2 postgraduate coursework, 2 higher degree by research |
| Faculty of Medicine and Health | 10 positions: 4 undergraduate, 3 postgraduate coursework, 3 higher degree by research |
| Faculty of Science | 10 positions: 5 undergraduate, 2 postgraduate coursework, 3 higher degree by research |
| Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning | 4 positions: 2 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate coursework, 1 higher degree by research |
| Sydney Conservatorium of Music | 4 positions: 2 undergraduate, 1 postgraduate coursework, 1 higher degree by research |
| Sydney Law School | 4 positions: 1 undergraduate, 2 postgraduate coursework, 1 higher degree by research |
How to nominate
Nominations are completed online using the electronic nomination form and must be submitted to the Chief Governance Officer and Returning Officer by 12 pm AEST, Monday 14 September 2026. It is the responsibility of candidates and nominators to ensure the nomination procedures are followed.
Nominating
The University values a diverse and inclusive governance community. Students from all backgrounds are warmly encouraged to nominate, and we particularly encourage students with lived experience of diversity to take part.
Different perspectives strengthen decision-making and governance. When our governance bodies reflect the full breadth of our community, the decisions they make are better informed and better for everyone.
Candidate information session
The session is open to any student thinking about nominating. It will:
provide an overview of the positions available;
explain the nomination requirements;
outline the election timelines and campaigning requirements; and
give prospective candidates an opportunity to ask questions.
Date: Thursday 3 September 2026
Time: 2.30pm AEST
Location: Zoom (online)
To RSVP and receive the Zoom link, email secretariat.elections@sydney.edu.au. If you have accessibility requirements for the session, let us know when you RSVP and we will make arrangements.
Ballot process
If the number of valid nominations received is equal to or fewer than the positions available, candidates may be declared elected unopposed and no ballot is held.
If more valid nominations are received than there are positions available, an electronic ballot will be conducted from 9 am AEDT on Monday 12 October 2026 to 4 pm AEDT on Monday 2 November 2026.
Eligible students will receive voting instructions by email to their student email account through the University's secure electronic voting system. Reminder emails are issued automatically during the voting period to eligible voters who have not yet cast a ballot.
Candidate information statements and photographs (for Senate only) are published on the voting and Student Elections websites so you can make an informed choice.
Results are declared at 4:30 pm AEDT on Monday 2 November 2026 and published on the Student Elections website.
Support
Support is available throughout the nomination and election period. Contact secretariat.elections@sydney.edu.au for enquiries related to:
eligibility questions
nomination requirements
election procedures
Senate nomination processes
accessibility requirements
registering for the candidate information session.
If you are interested in nominating but are unsure where to start, we encourage you to get in touch. The University Governance Office is available to assist prospective candidates throughout the election process.
Election integrity
All students who take part in the election process, whether as candidates, nominators, campaigners or voters are expected to act with integrity, honesty and respect, and to comply with the Student Charter 2020 and all relevant election requirements, including the University's election notices, guidelines and the Elections Policy 2022.
Campaigning should be conducted respectfully at all times. Treat other candidates, students and staff courteously, campaign honestly and within the published rules, and help us maintain a fair and inclusive electoral process that every student can trust.
If you have a concern about the conduct of an election or a campaign, contact the Returning Officer at secretariat.elections@sydney.edu.au.