Student unionism in Australia
Encyclopedia
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
groups, providing a range of political, commercial and other services to students. The sector has undergone substantial change in recent years, with a decline in participation, intervention by university administrations, and the end of compulsory membership arrangements.
Although names such as union, student association, representative council and guild are common, in practice they provide little insight into an organisation's role on campus. In addition, some organisations have chosen to rebrand using entirely new names, with the term "union" in particular considered to be the source of misunderstandings about their role. Students at Macquarie and Arc @ UNSW are examples of this trend. Where campus unions are being replaced with university-owned corporate entities, non-traditional names such as UWS Connect and UniCentre are becoming common.
Campus unions
Campus unions have traditionally been responsible for the provision of commercial services, such as food and retail outlets, and activity programs, such as those associated with orientation weekOrientation week
Student orientation or new student orientation, is a period of time at the beginning of the academic year at a university or other tertiary institution during which a variety of events are held to orient and welcome new students. The name of the period varies by country...
. The advent of voluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism
Voluntary student unionism is a policy, notable in Australia, under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary....
and the impact of a number of financial scandals at student organisations have prompted many universities to significantly alter the structure of campus service delivery. At a number of universities, campus unions are assuming responsibility for student council activities.
Dual-structure
At some universities, campus unions operate as part of a dual structure, in which an organisationally separate student council is present.| University | Student Representative Council | Service Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| James Cook University James Cook University James Cook University is a public university based in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. The university has two Australian campuses, located in Townsville and Cairns respectively, and an international campus in Singapore. JCU is the second oldest university in Queensland—proclaimed in 1970—and the... |
James Cook University Student Association | James Cook University Student Association |
| Australian National University Australian National University The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students... |
Australian National University Student Association Australian National University Student Association ANU Students' Association is the student association of the Australian National University. Its purpose is to represent students to both the University and the Government.- List of presidents of the Association :* 1992: Amanda Chadwick... |
Australian National University Union Australian National University Union The Australian National University Union Inc. is the university union of the Australian National University. This is not to be confused with the Australian National University Student Association.-About the ANU Union:... |
| Macquarie University Macquarie University Macquarie University is an Australian public teaching and research university located in Sydney, with its main campus situated in Macquarie Park. Founded in 1964 by the New South Wales Government, it was the third university to be established in the metropolitan area of Sydney... |
Macquarie University Students' Council Macquarie University Students' Council Campus Experience is the student organisation at Macquarie University and is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the University. The organisation manages Macquarie University’s non-academic services of food and retail, entertainment, sport and recreation, student groups, child care and student... |
Students at Macquarie |
| RMIT University RMIT University RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam.... |
RMIT Student Union RMIT Student Union The RMIT Student Union Council, commonly known as the RMIT Student Union or RUSU, is the representative body for all students enrolled at RMITUniversity... |
RMIT Union RMIT Union RMIT Union is an unincorporated subsidiary company owned by RMIT University. It was formed in 1968 and currently it consists of Four main branches including RMIT Union Arts, RMIT Sports and Recreation, RMIT City Fitness and RMIT Union Administration. RMIT Union is responsible for running all Arts... |
| Southern Cross University Southern Cross University Southern Cross University is a university based on the North and Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. It is a regional University with more than 14,000 students. The University's primary campus is in Lismore, with other campuses located at Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads.The University is... |
Southern Cross University Students' Association | Southern Cross University Union |
| Swinburne University of Technology Swinburne University of Technology Swinburne University of Technology is an Australian public dual sector university based in Melbourne, Victoria. The institution was founded by the Honourable George Swinburne in 1908 and achieved university status in June 1992... |
Swinburne Student Union Swinburne Student Union Swinburne Student Union , is the independent student representative body of Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Membership is opt-in for all Swinburne students.... |
Swinburne Student Amenities Association |
| University of Adelaide University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third oldest university in Australia... |
Students' Association of the University of Adelaide Students' Association of the University of Adelaide The Students' Association of the University of Adelaide commonly referred to as the SAUA was a Students' Representative Council like body that existed for students at the University of Adelaide from 1973 until 2007. It was one of a number of student organisations at the university affiliated to... |
Adelaide University Union Adelaide University Union The Adelaide University Union was founded in 1895. The AUU currently funds six affiliated bodies. These include the Adelaide University Student Representative Council , Student Care, the Clubs Association , the Roseworthy Agricultural Campus Student Union Council , and the Waite Institute... |
| University of Canberra University of Canberra Over the years the Stone Day program has gradually become larger and larger, taking up a whole week and now Stonefest is one of Australia's most popular music festivals. The first foundation celebrations were held in 1971. In 1973 Stone Day celebrations were held over two days, which was expanded... |
University of Canberra Students' Association | University of Canberra Union |
| University of Newcastle University of Newcastle, Australia The University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales... |
Newcastle University Students' Association Newcastle University Students' Association The Newcastle University Students' Association represents undergraduate students at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. The organisation is one of four student organisations at the university and focuses on advocacy, political representation and organising... |
UoN Services Limited |
| University of New England University of New England, Australia The University of New England is an Australian public university with approximately 18,000 higher education students. Its original and main campus is located in the city of Armidale in northern New South Wales.... |
University of New England's undergrads@une | Services UNE Ltd |
| University of Sydney University of Sydney The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania... |
University of Sydney Students Representative Council | University of Sydney Union University of Sydney Union The University of Sydney Union is the student-run services and amenities provider at the University of Sydney. The Union's key services include the provision of food and beverages, live music and other entertainment, the Verge Arts Festival and other cultural activities, Orientation week and... |
| University of Technology, Sydney University of Technology, Sydney The University of Technology Sydney is a university in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The university was founded in its current form in 1981, although its origins trace back to the 1870s. UTS is notable for its central location as the only university with its main campuses within the Sydney CBD... |
UTS Students' Association UTS Students' Association The University of Technology, Sydney, Students' Association is the representative body for students at the University of Technology, Sydney. It is based at the Broadway campus of UTS. It commissions the student magazine Vertigo... |
UTS Union UTS Union UTS Union Limited is the peak service provider at the University of Technology, Sydney. It operates retail, fitness and catering services as well as Clubs and Societies, student publications and Orientation Day.* http://www.utsunion.uts.edu.au/-Governance:... |
| University of Western Sydney University of Western Sydney The University of Western Sydney, also known as UWS, is a multi-campus university in the Greater Western region of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia... |
UWS Connect | University of Western Sydney Students' Association |
| University of Wollongong University of Wollongong The University of Wollongong is a public university located in the coastal city of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, approximately 80 kilometres south of Sydney... |
Wollongong University Students' Association Wollongong University Students' Association The University of Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association is the peak undergraduate student representative organisation at the University of Wollongong.- Background :... |
UniCentre |
Single-structure
At some universities, campus unions operate as part of a single structure, in which student council services are provided by a division or department of the union.- La Trobe UniversityLa Trobe UniversityLa Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are...
, La Trobe Student Union - ArcArc @ UNSWArc @ UNSW Limited is the student organisation at the University of New South Wales and is a not-for-profit public company based in Sydney, Australia. The organisation supports the activities of student clubs, student volunteer programs such as orientation week, student publications, a student...
, University of New South Wales - Central Queensland University Student Association, Central Queensland University
- Charles Sturt University Student Senate, Charles Sturt University
- Curtin Student Guild, Curtin University of Technology
- Deakin University Student Association, Deakin University
- Edith Cowan University Student Guild, Edith Cowan University
- Flinders Campus Community Services, Flinders University
- Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild, Griffith University
- James Cook University Student Association, James Cook University
- Melbourne University Student Union, University of Melbourne
- Murdoch Guild, Murdoch University
- Queensland University of Technology Student GuildQueensland University of Technology Student GuildThe Queensland University of Technology Student Guild is a student organisation established to provide service, support and representation to the students of the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane. It is a student member organisation, whose office bearers are also students...
, Queensland University of Technology - Tasmania University UnionTasmania University UnionThe Tasmania University Union Inc is the students' union that represents tertiary students attending the University of Tasmania. Until 2007, it repreesented students only at the southern campus but with the cessation of the Student Association due to Voluntary Student Unionism it now encompasses...
, University of Tasmania - University of Queensland UnionUQ UnionThe University of Queensland Union is a student organisation established to provide service, support and representation to the students of the University of Queensland.-Aims:The specific aims of the Union as defined by the UQ Union Constitution are:...
, University of Queensland - University of Western Australia Student GuildUniversity of Western Australia Student GuildThe UWA Student Guild is the official student representative body at the University of Western Australia, representing the interests of students to the University, government and the wider community, as well as providing services to students...
, University of Western Australia - Victoria University Student UnionVictoria University Student UnionVictoria University Student Union is the peak body representing and supporting all students at Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia. The stated objectives of VUSU are to provide a range of representation and general services to a student population of approximately 50,000 on all campuses of...
, Victoria University
Student councils
Student councils represent the interests of students to universities and to government. Many provide additional services including legal advice and student media outlets. At many universities, student council services are provided by a single-structure campus union (see above).Student councils
- Australian Catholic University National Student Association, Australian Catholic University
- Australian National University Students' Association, Australian National University
- Australian National University Postgrad and Research Students Association
- Bendigo Student Association, La Trobe University
- Fremantle Student Association, University of Notre Dame
- La Trobe University Student Representative Council, La Trobe University
- Macquarie University Students' CouncilMacquarie University Students' CouncilCampus Experience is the student organisation at Macquarie University and is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the University. The organisation manages Macquarie University’s non-academic services of food and retail, entertainment, sport and recreation, student groups, child care and student...
, Macquarie University - Monash Parkville Students Association, Monash University
- Monash Student AssociationMonash Student AssociationThe Monash Student Association Inc is located at the Clayton campus of Monash University in the Campus Centre building. The MSA is made up of elected student representatives who represent all Clayton campus students on general issues such as education, fees and student welfare, and also specific...
, Monash University - Monash Union of Berwick Students, Monash University
- Monash University Gippsland Student Union, Monash University
- Monash University Student Union Caulfield, Monash University
- MONSU Peninsula, Monash University
- Newcastle University Students' AssociationNewcastle University Students' AssociationThe Newcastle University Students' Association represents undergraduate students at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. The organisation is one of four student organisations at the university and focuses on advocacy, political representation and organising...
, University of Newcastle - Southern Cross University Student Representative Council, Southern Cross University
- Southern Cross University Students' Association, Southern Cross University
- Students' Association of the University of AdelaideStudents' Association of the University of AdelaideThe Students' Association of the University of Adelaide commonly referred to as the SAUA was a Students' Representative Council like body that existed for students at the University of Adelaide from 1973 until 2007. It was one of a number of student organisations at the university affiliated to...
, University of Adelaide - Swinburne Student UnionSwinburne Student UnionSwinburne Student Union , is the independent student representative body of Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia. Membership is opt-in for all Swinburne students....
, Swinburne University of Technology - University of Ballarat Student Association, University of Ballarat
- University of Canberra Students' Association, University of Canberra
- University of New England's undergrads@une, University of New England
- University of South Australia Students AssociationUniversity of South Australia Students AssociationUniLife is the peak student representative body at the University of South Australia . UniLife is spread across UniSA's four metropolitan campuses as well as the Centre for Regional Engagement, encompassing the Whyalla and Mount Gambier campuses....
, University of South Australia - University of Southern Queensland Student Guild, University of Southern Queensland
- University of Sydney Students Representative Council, University of Sydney
- University of the Sunshine Coast Student Guild, University of the Sunshine Coast
- University of Western Sydney Students' Association, University of Western Sydney
- UTS Students' AssociationUTS Students' AssociationThe University of Technology, Sydney, Students' Association is the representative body for students at the University of Technology, Sydney. It is based at the Broadway campus of UTS. It commissions the student magazine Vertigo...
, University of Technology, Sydney - Victorian College of the Arts Student UnionVictorian College of the Arts Student UnionThe Victorian College of the Arts Student Union was the student union of the former Victorian College of the Arts , now known as the Faculty of VCA and Music in Melbourne, Australia. It was a separately incorporated organisation which represented the VCA student body. It had a strong history of...
, Victorian College of the Arts - Wollongong University Students' AssociationWollongong University Students' AssociationThe University of Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association is the peak undergraduate student representative organisation at the University of Wollongong.- Background :...
, University of Wollongong
Postgraduate organisations
At many universities, postgraduate students are represented by separate student organisations. Given the smaller numbers - and relative time-poverty - of postgrads, these organisations tend to be smaller and are significantly under-resourced when compared to general or undergraduate groups. At a national level, postgrads are represented by the Council of Australian Postgraduate AssociationsCouncil of Australian Postgraduate Associations
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, or CAPA, is the peak representative body for postgraduate students in Australia. Founded in 1979, CAPA provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the Australian Research Council and...
, and the National Indigenous Postgraduate Association Aboriginal Corporation.
National organisations
- National Union of StudentsNational Union of Students of AustraliaThe National Union of Students is the peak representative body for Australian university students. Most student unions in Australian campuses are affiliated to NUS...
- National Association of Australian University CollegesNational Association of Australian University CollegesThe National Association of Australian University Colleges Inc is the peak representative body for students living on Australian tertiary campuses...
- Council of Australian Postgraduate AssociationsCouncil of Australian Postgraduate AssociationsThe Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, or CAPA, is the peak representative body for postgraduate students in Australia. Founded in 1979, CAPA provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the Australian Research Council and...
- Council of International Students AustraliaCouncil of International Students AustraliaThe Council of International Students Australia, or CISA, is the peak representative body for international students in Australia. CISA was founded on 7 July 2010 in Hobart, Tasmania and provides member associations with representation to the Federal government, and peak bodies such as the...
- National Indigenous Postgraduate Association Aboriginal Corporation
Early student unions
The history of student union in Australian universities broadly reflects the changing nature of the student body in the Australian tertiary system. The earliest student body was a largely wealthy group, composed of the children of the Australian bourgeoisie, professionals, petit-bourgeois and squatocracy. Entry into the University system was only available to the privileged and wealthy. The associations formed by this body reflected the social associations formed by this class of Australians: they were largely voluntary and focused on extending the social opportunities of their members. In the late 19th and early 20th century, at each University these organisations developed closer links with one another, and eventually transformed into unified student associations.The rise of radicalism
By the 1930s the Australian Labor PartyAustralian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
was proving to be politically attractive to small groups of University students. These students formed Labour Clubs, dedicated to the ideas of the labour movement, and began to contest for leadership of student associations. The Labor Clubs were often opposed by independent conservative students, but often conservative students lacked the vast activist apparatus built up under the Labour Clubs.
In the 1950s the composition of the student body changed radically. The Menzies Government
Robert Menzies
Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, , Australian politician, was the 12th and longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia....
founded new technically-oriented universities, like the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
, and expanded the role of the technical tertiary colleges. This was in response to a perceived lack of graduate labour in the Australian economy. Increasingly, working class students were able to access University through teacher-training schemes, veterinary preference schemes, and other avenues. Bonded in labour to a government authority, these students could exert some level of pressure against their future "employer" by joining a union and protecting the rights of newer graduates with little real life experience and new to the workforce. A similar wave of increased tertiary funding in the 1970s under the Whitlam Government
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
saw the foundation of mostly regional tertiary campuses. The opening up of higher education to a broader social group without inherited privilege, but the beneficiary of generous public funding, resulted in a period of popular student unionism in the 1960s, '70s and '80s.
Voluntary student unionism
A new National Union of Students was established to replace AUS, this time with a structure designed to make it harder for constituent organisations to disaffiliate.The collapse of AUS, coincided with a hardening of attitudes towards student unionism on the right of politics. Liberal parties around the country began to consider policies to stop student organisations from using funding from compulsory universal membership on left-wing political activities.
VSU began to gain legislative traction in the 1990s, with variations on the idea being briefly implemented in Western Australia and Victoria. VSU was also the policy of the Howard government, in power federally from 1996. Although Labor reversed the state VSU initiatives, the federal government brought in VSU legislation using its new Senate majority in 2005. VSU came into full effect at the beginning of 2007.
It wasn't just VSU that caused the student organisations problems: disputed elections, financial mismanagement and interventionist university administrations also took their toll. In the 2000s, many student organisations found themselves being liquidated or restructured by universities, losing much of their independence in the process.
See also
- Students' unionStudents' unionA students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
- National Union of Students of AustraliaNational Union of Students of AustraliaThe National Union of Students is the peak representative body for Australian university students. Most student unions in Australian campuses are affiliated to NUS...
- List of universities in Australia
- Voluntary student unionismVoluntary student unionismVoluntary student unionism is a policy, notable in Australia, under which membership of – and payment of membership fees to – university student organisations is voluntary....
- List of student newspapers in Australia