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National Union of Students (Australia)

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The National Union of Students (NUS) is the peak representative body for Australian higher education students.[1][2] A student union is eligible for membership by its classification as a legitimate student representative body at any Australian post-secondary training provider.[3][4] The NUS typically organises NUS National Conference (NatCon), NUS Education Conference (EdCon), and the Presidents' Summit each year in addition to other smaller conferences.[1]

National Union of Students
AbbreviationNUS
PredecessorAustralian Union of Students
Formation1987; 37 years ago (1987)
Headquarters1/740 Swanston Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Location
Membership21 affiliated university student unions representing over 1 million students
President
Ngaire Bogemann
General Secretary
Jonathan de la Pena
Key people
Education Officer: Grace Franco
Welfare Officer: Sabrine Yassine
Women's Officer: Ela Akyol
Queer Officer: Eddie Stephenson
Queer Officer: Ella Gutteridge
First Nations Officer: Francois Altoff
Disabilities Officer: Mairéad Harris
International Students Officer: Reynal Adrien
Ethnocultural Officer: Sa'Jacinto Headus
Small & Regional Officer: Caitlin Marlor
TAFE Officer: Bethany Shelgog
Main organ
National Executive
AffiliationsGlobal Student Forum
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
Websitehttps://nus.asn.au/

History

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Formation

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NUS in its current form came into being in 1987 after the collapse of its predecessor, the Australian Union of Students (AUS), in 1984.[2][3] The AUS was first known from 1937 to 1971 as the National Union of Australian University Students (NUAUS), before allowing membership of colleges of higher education in 1971, which necessitated a name change.[5]

Membership fees

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In 2003, NUS membership fees became indexed to consumer price index (CPI) removing some of the strain on the union's finances. In 2004, the NUS charged $5 per equivalent full time study loads (EFTSL) of students represented by each member organisation.[6][3] This raised small fears that many small and regional campus organisations might disaffiliate due to increases in affiliation fees.

In 2023, affiliation fees were set at $2.00 per EFTSL and in 2024 the National Executive of the NUS set affiliation fees at $2.11 per EFTSL.[6]

Voluntary student unionism

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The introduction of voluntary student unionism (VSU) by the Howard government led to student union membership plummeting by up to 95%.[7] Following associated reductions in funding for services provided by many student unions, the NUS called for alternative options to be explored to restore funding and ensure students would remain able to access student union services.[7] In a written submission responding to a discussion paper on the impact of VSU, the NUS raised concerns that reliance on direct funding from the federal government or universities would impact the ability of student representatives to effectively advocate for students.[8]

In 2024, the NUS's official policy, set by National Conference in December 2023, was to campaign for a 50% minimum share of Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF) for student unions.[9] In May of 2024, it was announced that government would be mandating that student unions receive 40% of SSAF, coming close to meeting the NUS's demands.[10]

Accreditation of universities

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In 2016, Australian National University Students' Association voted against accrediting with NUS, citing problems with the conduct of factional delegates at the National Conference.[11] The Adelaide University Union (AUU) voted to cease their SRC from authorising payments of Accreditation to NUS in their March Meeting.[12] The AUU's SRC later condemned the move and restated its affiliation, and intention to pay accreditation fees autonomously.[13] The Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association also held a referendum during 2016 to end their affiliation with the NUS; the affiliation was later restored.

In 2017, the Australian National University Students' Association voted to accredit with NUS once again.[14] Also in 2017, the Tasmanian University Union voted to end its affiliation with the NUS. The Tasmanian University Student Association re-accredited in 2023. The University of Queensland Union also re-accredited to the NUS in 2023.

Governance

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Victorian Trades Hall, former headquarters of the NUS

NUS' national structure is formalised into both a National Executive and State Branches.[3][4][15] The National Executive is the primary decision-making body of the NUS, voted in by delegates from each member student union at the National Conference.

National Executive

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The responsibilities of the National executive, as described within the NUS constitution, include; setting the budget for the NUS; regularly monitoring of the finances of NUS; employing staff on behalf of NUS; authorising the publication of material on behalf of NUS; and implementing and interpreting the policy of the NUS.[4] The National Executive may also delegate its powers as it considers appropriate.[4] The members of National Executive are:

  • The National President (chair, casting vote only),[4]
  • The National officers (voting),[4]
  • 12 General Executive Members (voting),[4] and
  • The State Presidents (voting).[4]

National Officers of the NUS do not carry a vote at the National Conference of NUS and members of National Executive may not hold more than 1 voting position on National Executive at the same time.[4]

National Officers

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The National Officers of NUS are elected annually at the National Conference, with their terms commencing in January.[4]

A motion to abolish the National Environment Officer position was passed at the 2016 National Conference. This change came into effect at the 2017 National Conference.

A motion to create the National Vocational Education Officer position was passed at the 2021 National Conference. This change came into effect at the 2022 National Conference.

The paid national officers of the NUS are:

  • National President,[4]
  • National General Secretary/National Deputy President,[4]
  • National Education Officer,[4]
  • National Welfare Officer,[4]
  • National Women's Officer (who must be a woman),[4]
  • Two National Queer/LGBTQIA+ Officers (one of whom must be woman-identifying),[4]

Paid national officers are paid an hourly wage equal to the Australian Federal minimum wage with the National President and National General Secretary paid 1 full-time equivalent (FTE) wage and other paid officers are paid a minimum of 0.5 FTE.[3] In 2024, the honorarium of the National Education Officer, National Welfare Officer, and National Women's Officer was set at 0.75 FTE by the National Executive of the NUS.[6] In the same meeting, the honorarium for the National Queer Office was set at 1.0 FTE to be split between the two officers.[6]

The unpaid national officers of the NUS are:

  • National Small and Regional Campuses Officer (who must be a student currently enrolled at a small and/or regional NUS member campus),[4]
  • National First Nations Officer (who must identify as a student from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background),[4]
  • National Ethnocultural Officer (who must identify as a student from a culturally or linguistically diverse background),[4]
  • National International Students Officer (who must be currently enrolled as an international student),[4]
  • National Disability Officer (who must identify as a student with a disability),[4]
  • National Vocational Education Officer.[4]

State Branches

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The state branches of the NUS include; New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and Western Australia.[4]

The members of State Executive are:

  • The State President (chair),[4]
  • The State Education Vice President,[4] and
  • The President (or equivalent officer) from each accredited campus.[4]

State Officers

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The State Branch Officers of NUS are elected annually at the National Conference, with their terms commencing in January.[4] State and Territories officers are only elected if there are accredited campus from that State/Territory.[4] The State Branch positions other than President and Education Vice President were abolished after the 2015 National Conference, coming into effect at the conclusion of the 2016 term of office.

Departments

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There are 10 departments of the NUS, each overseen by the relevant National Officer with a limited degree of autonomy. These departments coordinate discussions with the relevant local officers at each university's student union, host specific conferences for their issues, and used to include the state branch officers (until those roles were removed in 2016).

These departments are:

  • Education Office
  • Welfare Office
  • Women's Office
  • Queer Office
  • Disabilities Office
  • First Nations Office
  • Ethnocultural Office
  • International Students Office
  • Small & Regional Campuses Office
  • Vocational Education/TAFE Office

National Conference

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National Conference (also referred to as NatCon), is the NUS's annual general meeting (AGM).[3] The NUS must hold National Conference within 5 months of the end of its financial year, with the conference beginning on the second Monday in December.[3][4] Held at a Victorian campus, the conference sees delegates from all accredited campuses gather to vote on policy that decides the direction of the union for the next year.[4] The election of national and state officers, as well as campus representatives, occurs during the week of National Conference.[4] Member organisations and associate organisations are able to appoint observers to National Conference.[4]

NatCon has at times been criticised for the perceived lack of transparency, owing in part to the fact that filming is typically banned for the entirety of the conference.[1] Proponents of the ban on filming have argued that this ban is to protect the privacy of attendees and enable them to engage more freely in debate, not to prevent transparency.

Current leadership

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National Executive
National Union of Students
Leadership
National President
Ngaire Bogemann, National Labor Students
Queensland President
Jeremy Wong, Student Unity
New South Wales President
Hamish Covell, Student Unity
Australian Capital Territory President
Liam Bessell-Koprek, Student Unity
Victoria President
Disha Zutshi, Student Unity
Tasmania President
Liam McLaren, Student Unity
South Australia President
Oliver Shephard-Bayley, Student Unity
Western Australia President
Heidee Austic, Student Unity
Structure
 
Political groups
National Officers
  •   Socialist Alternative (2)
  •   National Labor Students (2)
  •   Student Unity (8)
  •   Independent (1)

General Executive

  •   Socialist Alternative (1)
  •   National Labor Students (1)
  •   Student Unity (10)

State Branch Presidents

  •   Student Unity (7)
Length of term
1 year

National Officers[16]

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Position Name Faction State University
President Ngaire Bogemann National Labor Students VIC University of Melbourne
General Secretary Jonathan de la Pena Student Unity VIC Deakin University
Education Officer Grace Franco Student Unity SA University of Adelaide
Welfare Officer Sabrine Yassine Student Unity NSW University of Technology, Sydney
Women's Officer Ela Akyol National Labor Students NSW University of Wollongong
Queer Officer Edwina Stephenson Socialist Alternative NSW University of Sydney
Elisha Gutteridge Socialist Alternative QLD University of Queensland
Disabilities Officer Mairéad Harris Student Unity VIC
First Nations Officer Francois Altoff Independent VIC Victoria University
Ethnocultural Officer Sa’Jacinto Hedus Student Unity QLD University of Queensland
Small & Regional Officer Caitlin Marlor Student Unity NSW Western Sydney University
International Officer Reynal Adrien Student Unity SA Flinders University
Vocational Education/TAFE Officer Bethany Shegog Student Unity VIC RMIT University

General Executive[6]

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Name Faction State University
Xavier Dupé Socialist Alternative VIC University of Melbourne
Veronika Gobba National Labor Students WA Curtin University
Tess Robb Student Unity VIC Swinburne University
Finbar Bray Student Unity VIC RMIT University
Nicholas Goodyer Student Unity VIC La Trobe University
Lucy Fawcett Student Unity SA University of South Australia
Brandon Lee Student Unity ACT Australian National University
Kevin Li Student Unity VIC University of Melbourne
Alexander Knowles Student Unity WA University of Western Australia
Daniel O’Shea Student Unity NSW University of Sydney
Molly Quinnell Student Unity NSW Western Sydney University
Asadullah Jan Student Unity VIC Monash University

State Branches

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Queensland

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Position Name Faction University
President Jeremy Wong Student Unity University of Queensland
Vice-President (Education) Samuel Wong National Labor Students University of Queensland

New South Wales

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Position Name Faction University
President Hamish Cowell Student Unity University of New South Wales
Vice-President (Education) Alisa Hamilton National Labor Students University of Technology, Sydney

Australian Capital Territory

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Position Name Faction University
President Liam Bessell-Koprek Student Unity Australian National University
Vice-President (Education) Chris Morris Socialist Alternative Australian National University

Victoria

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Position Name Faction University
President Disha Zutshi Student Unity University of Melbourne
Vice-President (Education) Senaya Rathnaweera Socialist Alternative University of Melbourne

Tasmania

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Position Name Faction University
President Liam McLaren Student Unity University of Tasmania
Vice-President (Education) KT Lertsinpakdee Student Unity University of Tasmania

South Australia

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Position Name Faction University
President Oliver Shepard-Bayly Student Unity University of South Australia
Vice-President (Education) Benjamin Grillett Student Unity Flinders University

Western Australia

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Position Name Faction University
President Heidee Austic Student Unity Murdoch University
Vice-President (Education) Athina Hilman National Labor Students Curtin University

Factions

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Historically, the NUS has been dominated by members of Young Labor, with every President being a member since the creation of the NUS in 1987.[17]

Many NUS delegates are members of a faction, which are groups of students operating with a shared political platform.[1][better source needed] Some delegates alternatively choose to be independent from any factions and these students are typically referred to as small-i independents.[1][better source needed] Typically, each faction has a pre-conference caucus where they decide their positions on policy.[1][better source needed]

The main factions are:

Financial and structural crisis

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A NUS rally to protest funding cuts to higher education

In a report commissioned by the NUS secretariat in 2013, independent auditors TLConsult authored a report which cited NUS' "inflexible factional system" as detrimental to the organisation and leading to "historical accounting approach ... out of step with modern financial practices". Auditors "question-ed whether some stakeholders generally understood their responsibilities to NUS", citing alliances by some national officers to factions, rather than NUS, as contributing the structural issues faced by the organisation.[19][20]

The TLConsult audit said that NUS only had enough cash reserves to "sustain the organisation for approximately one year in its current form" and that although voluntary student unionism had resulted in a notable decline in revenue, it was structural problems, "unchanged for nearly two decades", that were the primary cause of the NUS' current financial problems.[20]

In response to the financial pressures outlined in the audit which cited significant deficits run by NUS over the previous few years, and following outgoing NUS President Deanna Taylor's admission that they "the advice given to NUS is that were our income and expenditure levels to remain status quo, NUS would not exist beyond the next few years", delegates to the 2014 conference voted in favor of a financial and structural review, and to eliminate the stipend for the positions of National Indigenous, International Students and Disability Officer. However, an attempt to eliminate state officer bearer positions (presidents excepted) was not passed by conference delegates.[21]

Union affiliation

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Typically, university student unions' Representative Councils will vote on NUS accreditation. As of 2022, accredited university unions include;[22]

State Union University Representation
EFTSL Delegates Total Votes %
ACT Australian National University Students' Association Australian National University 17,448 6 35 2.75%
NSW Arc @ UNSW SRC University of New South Wales 48,682 7 98 7.69%
NSW University of Sydney SRC University of Sydney 58,209 7 117 9.18%
NSW University of Technology Sydney Student Association University of Technology Sydney 35,594 7 72 5.65%
NSW Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association University of Wollongong 24,357 7 49 3.85%
NSW Western Sydney University SRC Western Sydney University 33,110 7 67 5.26%
SA Flinders University Student Association Flinders University 18,174 6 37 2.90%
SA University of South Australia Student Association University of South Australia 22,570 7 46 3.61%
QLD Queensland University of Technology Guild Queensland University of Technology 35,961 7 72 5.65%
VIC Deakin University Student Association (DUSA) Deakin University 37,494 7 77 6.04%
VIC La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) La Trobe University 25,459 7 51 4.00%
VIC Monash University Student Union Caulfield Monash University (Caulfield) 7 18 1.41%
VIC Monash Student Association (MSA) Monash University (Clayton) 7 60 4.71%
VIC RMIT University Student Union (RUSU) RMIT University 52,219 7 105 8.24%
VIC Swinburne Student Union (SSU) Swinburne University 29,115 7 59 4.63%
VIC Victoria University Student Union (VUSU) Victoria University 24,019 7 49 3.85%
VIC University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) University of Melbourne 54,084 7 109 8.56%
WA Curtin Student Guild Curtin University 35,096 7 71 5.57%
WA Edith Cowan University Student Guild Edith Cowan University 19,757 7 40 3.14%
WA UWA Student Guild University of Western Australia 20,560 7 42 3.30%

Notable people

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Many federal and state Labor politicians have held roles in the NUS during their time as students, including:

  • Roger Cook was the founding President in 1987 during his studies at Murdoch University.[23]
  • Richard Marles the second General Secretary in 1989 during his studies at the University of Melbourne.[17]
  • Penny Wong was on the National Executive during her studies at the University of Adelaide.[17][24]
  • Rose Jackson was the first President from a unified National Labor Students in 2006.[25]
  • Laura Smyth who served as the Victorian State Branch President during the 90's.[24]
  • John Carey served as the National President during his time as a student.[26]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Ng, Valerie; Panditharatne, Skanda (10 December 2017). "Backroom Deals, Paper Swallowing & Factional Warfare: Your Guide to the NUS & NatCon". The ANU Observer. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b Byrne, Liam (9 December 2011). "Towards a Better Union: The formation and development of the National Union of Students (Australia)". University of Sydney. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "National Union of Students Constitution (2018)" (PDF). Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af "National Union of Students Regulations (2021)" (PDF). Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  5. ^ Barcan, Alan (2002). Radical Students: The Old Left at Sydney University. Melbourne University Publish. p. 330. ISBN 978-0522850178. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e De La Pena, Jonathan. "National Executive Meeting: Tuesday 30th January 2024" (PDF). National Union of Students. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b Price, Sarah (13 January 2008). "Student unions on brink of extinction". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  8. ^ "The Impact of Voluntary Student Unionism on Services, Amenities and Representation for Australian University Students: Summary Report" (PDF). Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. 1 April 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  9. ^ "NUS National Platform (2024)" (PDF). National Union of Students. 14 December 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  10. ^ Thompson, Angus; Chrysanthos, Natassia (14 May 2024). "Labor backs compulsory fee payment to student unions". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  11. ^ "ANUSA votes against motion to reaccredit to NUS for 2016 | Australian National University Students' Association Inc". Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  12. ^ "Adelaide University Union Board Meeting Minutes (23rd March 2016)". Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Adelaide University Union SRC Meeting 8 Papers". Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  14. ^ "ANUSA accredits with NUS, but won't pay yet - ANU Observer". 21 March 2017. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  15. ^ "National Union of Students Constitution (2015)" (PDF). National Union of Students. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  16. ^ "Tweet". Farrago Magazine. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  17. ^ a b c McKinnon, Alex (29 June 2016). "The young and the restless". ABC News. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  18. ^ a b Alexander, Harriet (12 December 2006). "Student union's lurch to the left delights the right". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  19. ^ Loussikian, Kylar (14 January 2015). "NUS needs to refocus on present century to survive". The Australian. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  20. ^ a b Loussikian, Kylar (12 December 2014). "National Union of Students in financial turmoil". The Australian. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  21. ^ O'Mallon, Finbar. "Live Blog - NUS Conference 2014". Catalyst Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Members" (PDF). National Union of Students. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  23. ^ Bourke, Keane (7 June 2023). "What makes new WA Premier Roger Cook tick?". ABC News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  24. ^ a b Crook, Andrew (1 October 2010). "Crikey List: which MPs were involved in student politics?". Crikey. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  25. ^ Tovey, Josephine (10 September 2008). "Energy and charisma may take Jackson to a council seat". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  26. ^ "WA Labor: The Next Generation" (PDF). CGM Communications. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
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