Schedule overview
- 1 Purpose
- 2 Scope
- 3 Schedule
- 3.1 University of Southern Queensland Act 1998
- 3.2 Common Seal
- 3.3 University Policy
- 3.4 University Strategic Plan
- 3.5 University Position Establishment
- 3.6 Vice-Chancellor and President
- 3.7 Appeals
- 3.8 Grievance Resolution
- 3.9 Student Conduct
- 3.10 Council Committees
- 3.11 Academic Board
- 3.12 Chancellor's Committee
- 3.13 Finance and Facilities Committee
- 3.14 Audit and Risk Committee
- 3.15 Nominations Committee
- 3.16 Honorary Awards Committee
- 4 References
- 5 Schedule Information
1 Purpose
The purpose of the Council Delegations Schedule is to enable Delegations of the Council, its Committees, or officers of Council to be easily identified.
2 Scope
The schedule applies to all Council members, Employees, Students, members of Council committees, other University committees and unincorporated bodies of the University such as joint ventures, centres, associations and institutes.
This schedule must be read in conjunction with the Delegations Policy and is subordinate to it.
3 Schedule
The governing authority of the University of Southern Queensland (the University) is the Council. The Council is empowered to Delegate its powers, authorities, duties and functions. The Council Delegations Schedule is an extract of Delegations from various sources such as the University of Southern Queensland Act 1998 (UniSQ Act), Policy Instrument documents of the University, and resolutions of the Council.
The following principles apply:
- Council may not Delegate its powers to another group, position or Employee unless specifically stated in the Delegation
- this document is intended as a quick reference. It does not relieve Council or its Members from their duty to be fully conversant with the source materials that affect their powers, and which give the context and rationale for the exercise of such powers
- in carrying out its Delegations, Council must give appropriate consideration to the University budget
- all Delegations must be exercised in good faith and in accordance with the UniSQ Act, the Charter of University Governance and, where appropriate, University policies.
3.1 University of Southern Queensland Act 1998
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Appoint, and terminate the appointment of, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University | Council | Contracted Senior Positions Appointment Procedure | UniSQ Act s32(1), s32(2) and s39D-F |
| Terms of appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and President | Council | N/A | UniSQ Act S32(3) |
| Annual Review of Vice-Chancellor's Performance | Council delegated to Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor | N/A | UniSQ Act S32(3) |
| Delegate powers and duties of the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University | Vice-Chancellor and President | N/A | UniSQ Act s11(3), s32(4), s32(5) |
| Adopt the annual budget | Council | This power may not be delegated and must be exercised by Council in accordance with the UniSQ Act | UniSQ Act s11(2)(b) |
| Invest certain moneys | Council Delegated via Financial Delegations Schedule | Investments and Cash Management Policy Financial Management Practice Manual | UniSQ Act s49-s55 |
| Confer and revoke degrees, diplomas and certificates | Council | Graduations Procedure | UniSQ Act S5(e) |
| Approve the establishment of a University company, and the appointment of Chairperson and Board members | Council, on recommendation of the Vice-Chancellor and President | N/A | UniSQ Act S60-S61 |
| Make an election policy | Council | This power may not be delegated and must be exercised by Council in accordance with the UniSQ Act | UniSQ Act S11(2)(a) |
| Perform the role of Returning Officer | University Secretary | Council Election Procedure | UniSQ Act S15(2) |
| Delegate powers and duties of the University Secretary | University Secretary | N/A | Position Description of University Secretary |
3.2 Common Seal
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Use of the Common Seal | Council (delegated to Vice-Chancellor and President) | Use of the University Seal Policy Use of the University Seal Procedure | UniSQ Act S4(b) Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021: Standard 1.5 Qualifications and Certification |
| Maintain location of the Common Seal | University Secretary | Use of the University Seal Policy Use of the University Seal Procedure | UniSQ Act s4(b) |
| Affixing the Common Seal to documents made by Council and authorised to be sealed by Council | University Secretary | Use of the University Seal Policy Use of the University Seal Procedure | UniSQ Act s4(b) |
| Signature of documents with the Common Seal affixed | Vice-Chancellor and President or Delegate and the University Secretary or such other person appointed by Council | Use of the University Seal Policy Use of the University Seal Procedure | UniSQ Act s4(b) |
| Recording the use of the Common Seal | University Secretary | Use of the University Seal Policy Use of the University Seal Procedure | UniSQ Act s4(b) |
3.3 University Policy
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve new and revised policies and procedures concerning University wide operations | Governance Policy; Approval Authority Council Academic Quality Policy; Approval Authority Academic Board Executive Policy; Approval Authority Vice-Chancellor and President or nominated officer University Procedure; Approval Authority Vice-Chancellor and President or nominated officer | Policy Framework | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
3.4 University Strategic Plan
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve and review | Council | Integrated Planning and Performance Procedure | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Develop, implement and monitor | Vice-Chancellor and President | Integrated Planning and Performance Procedure | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
3.5 University Position Establishment
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Determine the position establishment of the University | Council and Vice- Chancellor and President | Position Establishment and Evaluation Procedure | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
3.6 Vice-Chancellor and President
3.6.1 General Authority
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Report to Council on the affairs of the University | Vice-Chancellor and President | UniSQ Governance Charter | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
3.6.2 Organisational Structure Change
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve the establishment, operation, review and dissolution of a Portfolio or function | Vice-Chancellor and President | N/A | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
3.6.3 Fee Setting and Charges
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve all University fees and charges, including:
| Vice-Chancellor and President | N/A | UniSQ Act s11; s32 Higher Education Support Act 2003 Council resolution: 17 February 2025 |
| Approve tuition fees for Domestic and International students across Non-Award, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research full-fee courses, including Award-bearing courses | Vice-Chancellor and President | N/A | UniSQ Act s11; s32 Council resolution: 17 February 2025 |
| Approve amendments to approved fees and commissions, limited to:
| Vice-Chancellor and President | N/A | UniSQ Act s11; s32 Council resolution: 17 February 2025 |
| Approve fee structures for subject areas, including:
| Vice-Chancellor and President | N/A | UniSQ Act s11; s32 Council resolution: 17 February 2025 |
3.7 Appeals
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Academic Appeal | Student Academic Appeals Committee | Student Academic Appeals Committee Terms of Reference Student Grievance Resolution Policy Student Appeals Procedure | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Non-academic Appeal | Relevant responsible officer | Student Grievance Resolution Policy Student Appeals Procedure | UniSQ Act s11 |
3.8 Grievance Resolution
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| In terms of the broader University community and its operations, determine whether a Complaint is upheld or dismissed | Vice-Chancellor and President | Code of Conduct Policy Disciplinary Action for Misconduct or Serious Misconduct Policy | UniSQ Act s32 |
| In terms of Council and the conduct of its business | Chancellor | Policy on Complaints Involving Council Members | UniSQ Act s11 |
3.9 Student Conduct
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Power to impose emergency restrictions or conditions on a Student | Vice-Chancellor and President, or nominee | Student General Conduct Procedure | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
| Apply penalties for Student General Misconduct | Dean (Students) or Student General Misconduct Committee | Student General Misconduct Penalty Schedule | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
3.10 Council Committees
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve establishment of Council Committees and working parties | Council | Charter of University Governance 1.3 | UniSQ Act s11 (functions and powers of Council) |
| Determine the Terms of Reference of Council Committees and the Academic Board, including roles, functions and membership provisions. | Council | UniSQ Governance Charter | UniSQ Act s11 (functions and powers of Council) |
3.11 Academic Board
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Establish an Academic Board | Council | UniSQ Governance Charter Academic Board Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s39(1) |
| Appoint the Chairperson of the Academic Board | Council | Academic Board Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s39A |
| Determine membership of the Academic Board | Council | Academic Board Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act S39(2) |
| Action urgent items within the Academic Board's remit which cannot be managed within the Board's regular business processes, and report to the Academic Board any resolutions or urgent items of business so undertaken | Academic Board Executive Committee | Academic Board Executive Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
3.12 Chancellor's Committee
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Exercise all the powers, authorities, duties, and functions of Council (other than powers specifically excluded under legislation) during the periods between ordinary meetings of Council on any matter determined by the Chancellor as urgent and report back to Council | Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 UniSQ Act s15 (role of the Chancellor) |
| Endorse substantive changes to the University Secretary position, including any proposed termination of employment by the University, and provide advice to the Vice-Chancellor | Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve the process (including appropriate timeframes) for the selection and appointment of the Vice-Chancellor | Council, on recommendation of Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Endorse changes to the University of Southern Queensland Act 1998 | Council, on recommendation of Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act Div 3 |
| Approve the performance and remuneration arrangements for members of the Vice-Chancellor's Executive | Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference Contracted Senior Positions Appointment Procedure | UniSQ Act s11; s32 |
| Approve Vice-Chancellor's remuneration arrangements | Council, on recommendation of Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference Contracted Senior Positions Appointment Procedure | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve Council's committee structure and Guidelines for the Conduct of Council and Committee meetings | Council, on recommendation of Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve the composition of the Council, incorporating the skills and attributes required by members to achieve good governance of the University, and including succession planning | Council, on recommendation of Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve the content of the University's Annual Report (excluding financial components) | Council, on recommendation of Chancellor's Committee | Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
3.13 Finance and Facilities Committee
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve the University's annual plan and budget | Council, on recommendation of Finance and Facilities Committee | Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11(2) |
| Approve borrowings by the University | Council, on recommendation of Finance and Facilities Committee | Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11(2) |
| Approve the annual accounts and financial aspects of the Annual Report | Council, on recommendation of Finance and Facilities Committee | Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11(2) |
| Approve changes to financial Delegations involving authority amounts of $10,000,000 and above | Council, on recommendation of Finance and Facilities Committee | Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11(2) |
| Adopt the monthly financial statements | Council, on recommendation of Finance and Facilities Committee | Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11(2) |
| Approve the investment strategy of the University | Council, on recommendation of Finance and Facilities Committee | Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve significant asset acquisition and disposal | Council, on recommendation of Finance and Facilities Committee | Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
3.14 Audit and Risk Committee
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve an Internal Audit Strategy on a triennial basis | Audit and Risk Committee | Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve the Annual Internal Audit Plan, monitor its scope and progress and approve any significant changes to the Plan | Audit and Risk Committee | Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve internal audit reviews conducted in accordance with the Annual Internal Audit Plan | Audit and Risk Committee | Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve the Internal Audit Charter | Council, on recommendation of Audit and Risk Committee | Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Approve the University Risk Appetite Statements | Council, on recommendation of Audit and Risk Committee | Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Endorse substantive changes to the Chief Audit and Risk Officer position, including any proposed termination of employment by the University, and provide advice to the Vice-Chancellor | Audit and Risk Committee | Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act s11 |
3.15 Nominations Committee
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve nomination of prospective members of the Council and Council Committees for categories of members that are not elected | Council, on recommendation of Nominations Committee | Nominations Committee Terms of Reference | UniSQ Act S11 |
3.16 Honorary Awards Committee
| Delegated Authority | Existing Delegation and Scope/Limits of Delegation | Council or Policy Delegation | Source of Authority |
| Approve Honorary Awards and titles and report to Council on Awards to be conferred | Honorary Awards Committee | Honorary Awards Committee Terms of Reference Honorary Award and Title Policy | UniSQ Act s11 |
| Confer and revoke Honorary Awards and Titles | Council | Honorary Award and Title Policy | UniSQ Act s11 |
4 References
Nil.
5 Schedule Information
| Accountable Officer | University Secretary |
| Responsible Officer | Governance Secretary |
| Policy Type | Governance Policy |
| Policy Suite | |
| Approved Date | 22/6/2026 |
| Effective Date | 22/6/2026 |
| Review Date | 26/6/2028 |
| Relevant Legislation | |
| Policy Exceptions | |
| Related Policies | Admissions, Enrolment and Graduations Policy Honorary Award and Title Policy Investments and Cash Management Policy Policy on Complaints Involving Council Members Research Code of Conduct Policy Student General Conduct Policy |
| Related Procedures | Contracted Senior Positions Appointment Procedure Integrated Planning and Performance Procedure Position Establishment and Evaluation Procedure Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Procedure Research Code of Conduct: Management of Potential Breaches Procedure Student Academic Misconduct Procedure |
| Related forms, publications and websites | Academic Board Terms of Reference Academic Medals and Awards Schedule Student Academic Misconduct Penalty Schedule Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference Chancellor's Committee Terms of Reference Charter of University Governance Finance and Facilities Committee Terms of Reference Financial Delegations Schedule Financial Management Practice Manual Honorary Awards Committee Terms of Reference Remuneration Sub-Committee Terms of Reference |
| Definitions | Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary |
| The qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule ....moreThe qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule . A Complaint is an “expression of dissatisfaction made to or about the University, related to its products, services, staff or the handling of a complaint, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected or legally required”....moreA Complaint is an “expression of dissatisfaction made to or about the University, related to its products, services, staff or the handling of a complaint, where a response or resolution is explicitly or implicitly expected or legally required”. Council means the governing body, the University of Southern Queensland Council....moreCouncil means the governing body, the University of Southern Queensland Council. Delegate (verb) means to authorise an officer, Employee or committee of the University with decision-making power or authority to decide to take action in a specified area....moreDelegate (verb) means to authorise an officer, Employee or committee of the University with decision-making power or authority to decide to take action in a specified area. A formal authority or power granted to Council members, Employees and Council committees to make Decisions on behalf of the University....moreA formal authority or power granted to Council members, Employees and Council committees to make Decisions on behalf of the University. A person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University....moreA person employed by the University and whose conditions of employment are covered by the Enterprise Agreement and includes persons employed on a continuing, fixed term or casual basis. Employees also include senior Employees whose conditions of employment are covered by a written agreement or contract with the University. A Policy Instrument refers to an instrument that is governed by the Policy framework. These include Policies, Procedures and Schedules....moreA Policy Instrument refers to an instrument that is governed by the Policy framework. These include Policies, Procedures and Schedules. A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled. The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland. | |
| Definitions that relate to this schedule only | |
| Keywords | Schedule, delegation, responsibilities, authority, spending, procurement, opinion, represent UniSQ, financial, purchasing |
| Record No | 13/549PL |