National Student Representation Protocols
3.2 NATIONAL STUDENT REPRESENTATION PROTOCOLS*
3.2.1 The form of student representation must be established through consultation between enrolled students and the relevant Higher Education Provider (HEP).
3.2.2 A HEP must publish the details of the mechanisms, approved by the governing body of that HEP, by which enrolled students are consulted and able to participate in the decision making processes of the HEP.
3.2.3 A HEP must provide enrolled students with the opportunity to participate in a process to democratically elect student representatives.
(a) Student representatives must be students enrolled at the relevant HEP. Representatives must be elected by students, with at least one representative elected from each of the following categories:
- students enrolled in an undergraduate course of study;
- students enrolled in a postgraduate course of study; and
- overseas students.
(b) In meeting this obligation a HEP is to meet the necessary and reasonable costs of conducting valid and transparent polls for this purpose. Reasonable support might, for example, include funding for polling booths and ballot papers.
3.2.4 A HEP must provide adequate and reasonable support resources and infrastructure for elected student representatives to carry out their functions on behalf of enrolled students. Resources and infrastructure might, for example, include office space and IT equipment.
Note: These Guidelines do not preclude student representatives at a HEP forming an organisation that represents enrolled students at that HEP.
3.2.5 HEPs must have a formal process of consultation with democratically elected student representatives and representatives from major student organisations at the HEP regarding the specific uses of proceeds from any compulsory student services and amenities fee charged under section 19-38 of the Act.
Consultation must include:
(a) Publishing identified priorities for proposed fee expenditure and allowing opportunities to comment on those priorities by students and student associations and organisations; and
(b) Meeting with democratically elected student representatives and representatives from major student organisations at the HEP to consider the priorities for use of fee revenue.
*Excerpt from: Commonwealth of Australia, Higher Education Support Act 2003, Student Services, Amenities, Representation and Advocacy Guidelines (19 September 2011)
