Do you want to be a student leader? Speak up about what matters to students? Do you want to make your mark?
Nominations for Student Council and NUS delegates open on Monday 8 September 2025 and close on Monday 22 September 2025.
Full details on how to nominate will be made available on Monday 8 September 2025.
For detailed information on all the roles, responsibilities and criteria, keep reading!
Please contact the FUSA Student Representation Team if you have any questions or would like to discuss any of the positions open for nomination in more detail srdo@flinders.edu.au (or come by and have a chat).
Positions Open for Nomination
Student Council
Student Council is the elected body that represents all students at Flinders University. Its members advocate for student rights, wellbeing, and interests. The Council is made up of 20 positions, including officers who lead specific portfolios and report regularly on their work. These portfolios focus on key student communities and issues. General Council Members support the Council’s work and help ensure students are heard across the University.
Student Council office bearers:
- Student President
- General Secretary
- Education Officer
Student Council officers with portfolios (alphabetically listed):
- Disabilities Officer
- Environment Officer
- First Nations Students Officer
- Mature Age Students Officer
- People of Colour Officer
- Postgraduate Students Officer
- Queer Officer
- Welfare Officer
- Women’s Officer
Student Council other:
- General Council Member (Six Positions)
In addition, the NUS Delegates (6 positions) will be elected at the same time.
2025 Election Timeline
Election Timeline
Nominations Open: 9:30am Monday 8 September
Nominations Close: 4:00pm Monday 22 September
Presidential Debate: 12:00pm Wednesday 8 October
Voting Begins: 9:30am Monday 13 October
Voting Ends: 2:00pm Wednesday 15 October
ELECTION OFFICIALS
Returning Officer: Dr. Mary Heath
Assistant Returning Officer: Kate Walsh
Election Tribunal:
Dr. Rhain Buth, Louise Mitchell, Robert Houghton.
Polling Places
Voting is conducted online. Every eligible voter will receive a link to their ballot through their student email. The ballot is Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliant and will be compatible with most screen readers. For students who might require assistance please contact FUSA to discuss.
Students may choose to vote at one of the designated polling places:
- Ground Floor, Student Hub, Bedford Park Campus.
- TBD, City Campus.
Polling places will be open 9.30am – 3pm except on Wednesday 15 October, when polling places will close when voting ends at 2pm.
the details
Important Documents:
- FUSA Constitution – the rules of the student association
- Election Regulations – the rules for the election
- Roles and Duties Regulations – include complete position descriptions for each role on Student Council
All positions on the Student Council and NUS Delegates are democratically elected by students of Flinders University. The First Nations Students Officer is elected by and from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
The elections are conducted by the Flinders University Student Association (FUSA).
The functions and purpose of FUSA are to:
- promote and advance the rights, interests and welfare of students;
- represent students within and outside the University;
- coordinate and support activities for students, including the provision of support for affiliated clubs;
- provide the means for effective communication between students, the Association and the University;
- oversee the delivery of student services, which are funded from the Student Services and Amenities Fee and are the responsibility of the Manager, Student Engagement; and
- deliver other services, amenities and programs for students funded from the membership fee and other income received by the Association.
1. For the purposes of this election, the candidate and seconder must be a student as defined by the Election Regulations in the following way:
‘Student’ means person with a current enrolment as a student in an award course [degree] at Flinders University. Non-award students are not included within this definition. A student has a ‘current enrolment’ if they are enrolled in a topic (including zero-unit topics) which is identified as to be counted towards the requirements of a course and:
- The topic is a semester topic in which the election period [8 September – 15 October] falls;
- The topic is non-semester for which the election period falls between the start date and last date of teaching / assessment of the topic;
- The student is enrolled in a research thesis at any point during the election period; or
- The student is enrolled in a Micro-Credential topic under an award course during the election period.
Note: Flinders Academy students are not covered by this definition and therefore cannot nominate, second a nomination, or vote in the student elections.
2. Several Student Council positions have specific eligibility requirements. These are set out in the table below.
Name of position | Eligibility requirements |
Postgraduate Students Officer | Only a student enrolled as a Postgraduate student may nominate. Please note that Honours students are considered undergraduates. |
First Nations Students Officer | Only a student who identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander may nominate or vote for First Nations Students Officer. Eligibility is determined using University records. If you want support with updating your records, please contact Yungkurrinthi. |
International Student Officer | Only a student enrolled as an International Student. |
Queer Officer | Only a student who identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex or Asexual may nominate. |
Women’s Officer | Only a student who has lived experience as a woman may nominate. |
Disabilities Officer | Only a student who identifies as a person with a disability or disabilities may nominate. |
Mature Age Students Officer | Only students 25 years or older as of 1 December 2024 may nominate. |
People of Colour Officer | Only a student who identifies as a Person of Colour may nominate. |
3. The Flinders University Student Association Constitution requires that all Student Council members be members of the Association. The nomination form will include an option to become a member of the Association and a person will be considered a member if they are eligible to be a member, select this option, and submit a nomination.
You will also be asked when you nominate to confirm that you will expect to remain a student until 30 November 2026.
It is compulsory for a person elected to Student Council to attend an induction before they start. Inductions will take place on Monday 24 and Wednesday 26 November 2025. Please ensure these dates are in your diary.
All roles are volunteer positions.
Student Council receive an honorarium—a small payment to acknowledge your contribution. This is not a wage or salary, or payment for services.
However, it may count as income for the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or Centrelink, so it’s important to check if you need to report it
Student Council
Student Council is the governing body that guides FUSA and represents students at Flinders University. Council members speak up on issues that matter to students and help shape FUSA’s direction.
Some roles focus on specific areas—called portfolios—like education, welfare, or environment. These members lead campaigns and support student communities in their area. All members work together to make sure student voices are heard across the University.
Positions are listed in the order in which they appear in the Constitution. This will be the order on the ballot if required.
Student President
The Student President is the lead representative for all Flinders University students. They chair Student Council meetings, speak on behalf of students to the University and public, and help drive campaigns and initiatives. They also sit on key University committees and work with senior staff to improve student life.
This is a demanding role that requires dedicated leadership and time management. You will need to reduce other commitments to take on this role.
Honorarium: $32, 000 per year
General Secretary
The General Secretary keeps Student Council running smoothly. They manage meeting documents, support student clubs, and help carry out Council decisions. They also sit on panels and committees, working closely with FUSA staff and University stakeholders.
This role requires excellent organisation and time management. It’s a significant commitment, so be prepared to adjust your schedule.
Honorarium: $14,400 per year
Education Officer
The Education Officer has a focus on education issues and how students experience their education. They chair the Student Representation Network and support student activism. They also help run the Student-Led Teaching Awards and FUSA Development Grants.
This role involves working with University staff and committees to improve education for students. It’s a big commitment and requires strong time management.
Honorarium: $14,400 per year
Women’s Officer
The Women’s Officer represents women and gender-diverse students by advocating for social, political, and economic equality. This role involves leading campaigns, organising events and working with University staff to improve services and policies.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
Welfare Officer
The Welfare Officer focuses on student wellbeing. This includes issues like mental health, housing, financial stress, and workplace rights. They lead related campaigns and work with University staff to improve support for students.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
Postgraduate Students Officer
The Postgraduate Students Officer represents postgraduate students (coursework and research). They advocate for the unique needs of postgrads and help shape policies and services that support them.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
International Students Officer
The International Students Officer speaks up for international students and their specific needs, such as visa conditions and support services. They work with Student Council and University staff to improve the student experience.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
Queer Officer
The Queer Officer represents LGBTQIA+ students and works to make Flinders a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place. They lead campaigns and help implement recommendations from the Queer Report.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
First Nations Students Officer
The First Nations Students Officer is a voice for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students on issues affecting students. They work with the University and FUSA to make Flinders a more welcoming and inclusive place. They may also request an Associate First Nations Students Officer to assist in their work.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
Environment Officer
The Environment Officer represents students on issues like climate justice and sustainability. They lead environmental campaigns and work with University staff to make Flinders more eco-friendly.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
Disabilities Officer
The Disabilities Officer advocates for students with disabilities, both visible and invisible. They work to improve access, inclusion, and support across the University, and ensure students with disabilities have a voice in decision-making.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
Social Activities Officer
The Social Activities Officer helps plan and deliver fun, engaging events on campus. They work closely with the FUSA events team and student clubs to bring life to student spaces and build community.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
Mature Age Students Officer
The Mature Age Students Officer represents students aged 25 and over, who often juggle study with work, parenting, or other responsibilities. They advocate for mature age students and help ensure their needs are considered at University.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
People of Colour Officer
The People of Colour Officer advocates for racial justice, equity, and inclusion at Flinders. They represent students of Colour and lead campaigns to support their wellbeing on campus.
Time commitment: Moderate to high
Honorarium: $3,600 per year
General Council Member (6 Positions)
General Council Members support the work of Student Council and help hold portfolio officers accountable. They may lead their own projects or assist with Council activities and can represent students on committees or working groups.
Time commitment: Moderate
Honorarium: $2,200 per year
National Union of Students (NUS)
The National Union of Students (NUS) is the peak representative body for undergraduate students in Australia.
NUS works to protect the rights of students across Australia, organises national campaigns on issues affecting students in a range of different areas, and ensures that the student voice is heard by government, the media, and the public.
Nominations are now invited from all currently enrolled Flinders students as a Delegate (6 positions) to the NUS National Conference in 2025. The National Conference sets the policy for NUS, determines its structure, and elects the National Office-Bearers and the National Executive. The conference is usually held in early December in Melbourne.