The GSA Board establishes working groups/sub-committees to support the strategic advocacy and program delivery for graduate students. The working groups/sub-committees are empowered to provide strategic advice and support to ensure that the desired advocacy and program delivery outcomes are met within specified timelines, with proper input and advice.
Each working group has terms of reference (TOR), and its tenure is in line with elected reps’ tenure.
The GSA President works closely with all elected representatives in terms of allocating them to the working groups based on their roles, skillsets and expression of interest.
Graduate students, membership, funding bodies and external stakeholders will be invited to attend working group meetings to provide input.
GSA recognises the importance of working groups and getting inputs from elected students reps, graduate students, and other important stakeholders.
Current Working Groups
Finance, Risk, Audit & Compliance (FRAC)
FRAC committee is established to inform the GSA Board about the finances of the organization, seek approvals on major expenditures, and discuss issues of finance, risk, audit and compliance.
FRAC committee is empowered to provide financial, risk, compliance, audit and other strategic recommendations to the GSA Board for its approval. It looks into establishing good internal control systems, plan and monitor the finances of the organisation, look into potential risk factors and its mitigation, ensure compliance management, work with and assist the CEO/MBOF and the auditors in these matters, and meet monthly to provide guidance, monitoring and audit functions.
Chair: GSA General Secretary
Grad Groups Working Group
The Grad Group Working Group is established to support the implementation of the strategic objectives and activities undertaken by GSA to strengthen graduate groups at GSA based on the strategic plan approved by the Board.
Graduate Group Working Group is empowered to develop clear strategic aims, purpose and objectives for graduate group engagement work to align this work to our strategic plan, with clear operational activities, measured outcomes and ensure our investment and outcomes are effective and efficient.
Chair: GSA Vice President
International Graduate Student Working Group
International Graduate Student Working Group is established to support the strategic program delivery for University of Melbourne International Graduate Students. This working group is empowered to provide strategic advice and support to ensure that relevant GSA engagement programs and services are tailored towards international graduate student needs.
Chair: GSA Treasurer
Information Technologies Working Group
Empowered to scan all new technology opportunities and threats, but with a particular focus on generative and predictive AI. It will be responsible for staying aware of all University initiatives related to AI, academic integrity and provide input to the university in this space from graduate student perspectives. Also look at opportunities to create efficiencies in GSA operations and services and suggest relevant trainings and opportunities.
Chair: GSA General Secretary
Governance Resilience and Transparency Working Group
Empowered to discuss and generate ideas on how GSA decision making around representation/advocacy can remain or become more transparent, and what process can be improved/codified for the considered and timely responses to graduate student concerns on current affairs. The group will make recommendations to the Board.
Chair: GSA President
For all enquires, feedback and suggestions relating to these working groups, please email the respective chairs. We welcome input and recommendations from all graduate students and our stakeholders.