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Home > Governance > Charter

Legislation and Governance

The University of Wollongong was established and incorporated by an Act of the New South Wales Parliament (the University of Wollongong Act, 1972) and commenced on 1 January 1975. An amending Act, the University of Wollongong (Advanced Education) Amendment Act, 1982, lead to the amalgamation of the former Wollongong Institute of Education with the University.

A new Act, The University of Wollongong Act, 1989, came into effect on 1 January 1990. The object and functions of the University are contained in Section 6 of the Act, which states the University shall, within the limit of its resources, promote scholarship, research, free enquiry, the interaction of research and teaching, and academic excellence.

The University's principal functions include:

• the provision of facilities for education and research of university standard, having regard to the particular needs of the Illawarra region;
• the encouragement of the dissemination, advancement, development and application of knowledge informed by free enquiry;
• the confering of degrees including those of Bachelor, Master and Doctor and the awarding of diplomas, certificates and other awards;
• the provision of teaching and learning that engage with advanced knowledge and inquiry;
• the development of governance, procedural rules, admission policies, financial arrangements and quality assurance processes that are underpinned by the values and goals above and that are sufficient to ensure the integrity of the University's academic programs.

University of Wollongong Act, 1989

University of Wollongong By-Law, 2005

The University is governed by the Council, consisting of 19 members: three ex-officio members (the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and the Chairperson of the Academic Senate), six Ministerial nominees, two members elected by students, two members elected by academic staff and one by general staff, two members elected by graduates and three members appointed by Council. Council's four major committees are the Administrative Committee, the Audit Management & Review Committee, the Ceremonial & Honorary Awards Committee and the Nominations Committee.

The major academic body providing advice to Council on academic matters is the Academic Senate.