It’s election season at QUT, and students will soon have the chance to decide who represents them on the University’s highest governing body, the QUT Council. One undergraduate and one postgraduate student will be elected to join the Council, giving students a direct voice in the decisions that shape university life.
What is QUT Council?
Okay, so what’s this QUT Council thing, and why should you even care?
Think of QUT Council as the top decision-making table at the university. It’s essentially the governing body that oversees how the university is run, sets the strategy, approves major decisions, and ensures everything operates as it should. While the Vice-Chancellor and senior execs handle day-to-day stuff, the Council is where the real power resides.
And here’s the kicker: it’s a public institution, which means QUT isn’t just some distant company; it’s yours. That’s why having students on the Council actually matters. Your reps are the ones who can push for the changes you want to see, whether that’s around teaching, campus facilities, or how the uni supports you during your degree.
Council’s composition, membership, powers and responsibilities are governed by the QUT Act 1998.
Council’s role and responsibilities are also set out in the QUT MOPP (Manual of Policies and Procedures).
Council’s activities are summarised in periodic reports, which you can read here.
Who’s on Council?
There are 15 members in total. They include the Vice-Chancellor, industry experts, government figures, alumni, staff, and yes, students. Most members serve for four years, but student reps serve for two. So the people you elect this semester will be in the room for the next two years, helping shape what your QUT looks like.
Wait… is this the same as Guild elections?
Nope!!!
The QUT Student Guild is your student union. It’s separate from QUT itself and exists to advocate for students when the uni doesn’t. The Guild also runs services like clubs, events, advocacy, and welfare support. Their elections are happening at the same time, but those roles are about representing and supporting students from the outside.
Council elections are about putting students inside the university’s governing body, with a real vote on how QUT is run.
How do I vote?
No running across campus or awkwardly asking where to line up. Voting is all online through QUT’s Election Management System.
- Opens: 12pm, Monday 1 September 2025
- Closes: 12pm, Friday 12 September 2025
You’ll get an email in your QUT inbox with everything you need. Click the link, tick the boxes, and boom, you’ve done your civic duty. It takes about the same amount of time as ordering a coffee (and way less effort than trying to find a seat in the library at midday).
Who should I vote for?
That part’s up to you. Here’s the full list of students who’ve put their hands up to represent you on QUT Council. Take a look, see if you recognise any names from your classes, clubs, or campus life, and think about who you’d trust to speak up for students at the top table.
Postgraduate Ballot
- Jane Saxton
- Lilac Kapul
- Natasha Kitano
- Neeshiya Fernando
- Noel Bisuku
- Stephanie Ho
- Tony Weder
- Yesika Maya Ocktarani
Undergraduate Ballot
- Akshaya Naleendra
- Bodie Bacon
- Christopher Haggarty-Weir
- Georgia Rostron
- Hamza Javed
- Hamza Rush Anddamon
- Hudson Ridoutt
- Jade King
- Jett Van Geest
- Joey Thai
- Lola Napier
- Losalini Deborah M Talei Cokanasiga
- Luke Gilbert
- Madeline Scarlett
- Mayar Elamir
- Monty Briggs
- Prakriti Chaubey
- Rajinder Singh
- Riya Murdhani
- Shay Brokensha
- Sophie Lloyd
- Sowmya Ramanathan
- Tommy Ngo
- William Lane
- Xavier Curry
Want More Info?
If you’re curious about what QUT Council does, the nitty-gritty of the election process, or your own eligibility, you can check out the HiQ Student Representatives page.
For the official word on Council’s powers and membership, take a look at the QUT Council Committee Charter.
And if you’ve got specific questions about the election itself, flick an email to elections@qut.edu.au.
