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

1. Senate
2. Officers of the University
3. Academic Board
4. Faculties
5. Convocation
6. Structure

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 17 members:

• the Chancellor—ex officio
  
• the Vice-Chancellor—ex officio
• three appointed by the Governor
• two elected by Convocation
• one elected by and from the academic staff of the University
• one elected by and from the general staff of the University
• the Chair of the Academic Board
• two elected by and from enrolled students of the University
• not more than five co-opted members.

All elected, appointed and co-opted members other than the students have three year terms, and may serve for no more than three successive terms. Full membership details are available here.

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Officers of the University

Chancellor

The Hon. Robert French AC

Pro-Chancellor

Mr Frank Cooper AO

The Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor are elected by Senate in accordance with provisions of The University of Western Australia Act 1911 and the procedures set out in the Standing Orders of Senate. The Chancellor is the chair of the Senate. The Pro-Chancellor acts in the Chancellor's absence. Both positions of Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor are honorary.

The Executive

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

Vice-Chancellor

Professor Dawn Freshwater, BA  Manc., PhD  Nott., FRCN, RN

Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Simon Biggs, BSc(Hons) PhD Brist., FREng, FTSE, CEng, FIChemE, FIEAust  

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Professor Tim Colmer, BSc(Agric) W.Aust., PhD Calif

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships)

 Mr Tayyeb Shah, BA Oxf., MA SOAS, PGCE Camb., FRSA

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)

Professor David Sadler, FRSA, PFHEA, NTF, MAICD 

Chief Operating Officer (Corporate Services)

Robert Webster, BA RMIT, MBA Monash 

Executive Dean, Faculty of Science

Professor Tony O'Donnell, BSc, PhD, DSc (hc), FRSB

Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Professor Wendy Erber, MD Syd., DPhil Oxf., PhD Camb., FRCPA, FRCPath, FAHMS

Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Professor John Dell , BEng, PhD W.Aust.

Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education

Professor Matthew Tonts, BA E.Cowan., PhD Curtin

Other principal office-bearers

Chair of Academic Board

Professor Raymond da Silva Rosa, BCom PhD W.Aust.

Visitor

Governor of the State of Western Australia, ex officio

Warden of Convocation

Dr Doug McGhie BSc(Agric) Hons, MBA, PhD, FIMC

Former Warden of Convocation

Adjunct Professor Warren Merton Kerr AM, BArch W.Aust., MHP NSW, LFRAIA, FACHSM, FAIM

Additionally there is: 

• Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Education), Professor Jill Milroy AM

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

The appointed Executive 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

Convocation was created as an integral part of the University to establish an electorate of those eligible to vote in elections for positions on the Senate and the Council of Convocation. It consists of all UWA graduates, senior academic staff, all members of Senate, and others who are eligible to be members under the provisions of Section 17 of the University Act. The Warden of Convocation, who is elected annually by the members of Convocation, chairs the Council of Convocation which is comprised of 21 elected representatives of these members and meets on a monthly basis.

The entire membership of Convocation is invited to general meetings (known as Ordinary Meetings) twice yearly to receive an update on the University's activities. Under Section 31 of the University Act all amendments to statutes must be referred to Convocation 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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Structure

A simple diagrammatic representation of the University's governance structure lays out how the various units interact with each other.

The University's management structure sets out the system by which our various divisions report within themselves and to which members of the Executive our deans, directors and pro vice-chancellors report. Changes made to the management structure in 2013 reflect a sharper focus on areas of academic programs and internationalisation strategy, as well as making some structural change to areas within the Vice-Chancellery.

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