More information about the inquiry, why it matters and what the NTEU is doing
What is the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into enhancing university governance?
After a long campaign of lobbying and advocacy by NTEU Victorian Division, the hard-won and much-anticipated Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into enhancing university governance is coming this year, and it's time for university staff and students to have their say and help shape how the sector is run into the future - for students, staff and the communities they serve.
Read more about the key moments in our campaign for governance reform.
The Victorian Government established the inquiry in late October 2025, after years of bad headlines for the sector on a range of issues, including wage theft, cronyism, financial mismanagement and Vice-Chancellors' pay, with the aim of putting student and staff voices at the heart of university decision-making, and making Victorian universities more open and accountable.
The inquiry is our chance to let policy-makers know what's going on at our universities, what works and what doesn't, and what could be improved.
Why does governance matter?
Years of wage theft, insecure employment and inflated executive salaries have eroded confidence and trust, damaging universities’ public mission and exposing a crisis in governance - in how they're managed and the way that these institutions run. These practices also undermine the essential role of our universities, in teaching, research and advancing Victoria’s knowledge economy.
What does NTEU propose?
The NTEU is calling for reform of Victorian university legislation based on three key pillars:
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Meaningful staff and student voice;
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Transparency of university governance; and
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Effective controls against management capture.
These three pillars will provide a real voice for staff and students in decision-making; increasing accountability, while also guarding against university councils being controlled by senior management.
We'll be putting forward this comprehensive reform agenda to the inquiry alongside the National Union of Students and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations, including a Declaration of University Student and Staff Voice supported by a broad cross-section of civil society.
How you can help
This is a critical moment to show the collective strength of our campaign. Opposition will only intensify as we get closer to real reform – and that’s why we need members’ active support.
Together, we can win governance reform that restores accountability, gives staff and students a real voice, and protects the public purpose of Victorian universities.