UMSU International 2026 Annual Elections
Table of contents
List of nominations
The list of nominations is now available. Candidates who are marked as “see correspondence” or with other issues should check their student email urgently.
Further nominations
Nominations have closed. No late nominations can be accepted.
Notice of election
Notice is hereby given of the 2026 UMSU International Annual General Election.
The election will take place online from the 20th–22nd May 2026. All voters will be sent a personalised voting link to their student email account. A full timetable for the election is set out below.
All international students enrolled in a higher education award course are eligible to vote. Full details about eligibility to stand, including the list of positions available, are given below.
Nominations were open from Monday 27th April 2026 and closed at 9am (Melbourne time) on Monday 11th May.
Election timetable
- Monday 27th April — formal notice given and nominations open
- 5pm, Friday 8th May — a provisional list of nominations published
- 9am, Monday 11th May — close of nominations
- Policy Speech Session — TBC
- 9am, Wednesday 20th May — Voting opens
- 5pm, Friday 22nd May — Voting closes
- Within 4 academic days of voting closing — Provisional declaration of results
All times are Melbourne time.
Positions to be elected
Executive Committee
- One (1) UMSU International President
- One (1) UMSU International Vice-President (Education and Welfare)
- One (1) UMSU International Vice-President (Cultural and Social)
- One (1) UMSU International Vice-President (Media and Marketing)
- One (1) UMSU International General Secretary
- One (1) UMSU International Treasurer
Directors
- One (1) UMSU International Education Director
- One (1) UMSU International Welfare Director
- One (1) UMSU International Cultural and Social Director
- One (1) UMSU International Media and Marketing Director
- One (1) UMSU International Human Resource Director
- One (1) UMSU International Partnership and Sponsorship Director
Officers
- Three (3) UMSU International Education Officers
- Five (5) UMSU International Welfare Officers
- Five (5) UMSU International Cultural and Social Officers
- Three (3) UMSU International Media and Marketing Officers
- One (1) UMSU International Partnership and Sponsorship Officer
- Two (2) UMSU International Human Resource Officers
Information for prospective candidates
The nomination form is now available. Nominations (including completed nominator and seconder consents) must be received by 9am (Melbourne time) on Monday 11th May. This deadline is strict and cannot be extended.
Because of the nominator/seconder consent process, we urge you not to leave your nomination to the last minute. Most mistakes in a nomination form cannot be corrected after the deadline.
Eligibility
Generally, all international students are eligible to run for any position. You can’t run for more than two positions.
The following specific rules apply:
- To be eligible, you must be able to complete your full term within the duration of your course
- If you are going on exchange during your term of office, you are not eligible
- All non-International Students who hold an Australian Permanent Residency or New Zealand Citizenship are eligible to run for Director and Officer positions only (Electoral Regulation 6.2)
- Australian Citizens are eligible to run for Officer positions only (Electoral Regulation 6.3)
If you are not sure about your eligibility, please get in touch early.
Nominators and seconders
All candidates must have a nominator and seconder (Regulation 10.1 and Electoral Regulation 9.5). The nominator and seconder:
- Must each be international students
- Must not themselves be candidates
- Can’t be you (you can’t nominate yourself)
You’ll have to provide contact details of the students nominating and seconding you on the candidate nomination form. We will write to those students to seek their consent to the nomination process which must be done by close of nominations. We strongly encourage you to nominate well before the deadline so any issues with nomination can be worked out.
Campaigning
Any campaigning must be done in accordance with the UMSU International Electoral Regulations, and can be done only by candidates or their nominated representatives. More information will be posted closer to the election, but you are encouraged to contact us if you have any questions.
Information about the roles
Regulation 21 of the UMSU International Regulations (linked below) sets out the duties and powers of elected representatives.
Returning Officer’s determinations
Regulations
Together, the UMSU International Regulations and the UMSU International Electoral Regulations set out the rules and procedure governing the elections. All participants in the elections must follow the regulations.
How to make a complaint
To make a complaint, please email and include as much detail as possible. Anyone, whether student, staff or community member, can make a complaint.
Returning Officer contact details
The Returning Officer is responsible for running the election.
If you have any inquiries, complaints or feedback, please email the Returning Officer: returningofficer@union.unimelb.edu.au. You can also make an appointment if you’d like to discuss something in detail with us, in person or by videoconferencing.
We’ll have regular on-campus office hours during the election.