The Hon John Hill
FAICD, LLB, DipEd, BA
Chancellor of the University of South Australia
John Hill’s Parliamentary career began in 1997. He served in a number of ministerial roles – including Minister for Environment and Conservation (2002– 2006), Minister for Health (2005–2013) and assistant Minister and Minister for the Arts (2002–2013). John retired from the Cabinet in 2013 and Parliament in 2014 and is a member of various boards, including: ACH Group, Bellberry Ltd, and Private Healthcare Australia. John was appointed as Deputy Chancellor in December 2018 and Chancellor in May 2024.
University Profile
The University of South Australia (UniSA) is a globally connected and engaged university, with a core focus on delivering research and education that will support solutions for both industry and the professions.
UniSA’s teaching is industry-informed, and through strong industry engagement, its researchers create knowledge that is central to global economic and social prosperity.
In the most recent Excellence in Research Australia assessment (2018), across 39 fields, all UniSA research was ranked as world class or better. The University was also assessed as having almost 80 per cent of its research at the highest level of positive impact in society.
People, Programs and Precincts are the heart of UniSA operations.
Recognised globally for excellence and equity - in a fast-moving world, UniSA is well-known for the relevance of its degree programs.
UniSA is ranked in the top 50 best young universities in the world by both Quacarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) with a five-star rating for research, teaching facilities, employability, internationalisation, social responsibility and innovation (QS Stars Ratings).
The largest university in South Australia, UniSA teaches more than 36,000 students located across four metropolitan and two regional campuses and through its innovative online education - UniSA Online - where all programs have been designed specifically by the University for this mode of learning.
Students choose from more than 200 world-class degrees across a wide range of disciplines, including business, accounting, law, education, nursing, physiotherapy, podiatry, medical radiation, exercise science, pharmacy, information technology, software engineering, science, mathematics, engineering, contemporary art, creative industries, journalism, psychology, social work and more.
Practical learning, informed by industry best practice, is central to UniSA’s teaching approach.
Collaborations with more than 2,500 companies worldwide to bring students placement, project, research and work opportunities, have delivered UniSA the number one ranking in the State for graduate employability, student satisfaction and student experience. arED (QILT).
UniSA is a place for unstoppable people and our graduates are a new breed of professionals - confident global citizens, able to respond to change, ready for opportunities that arise, and to create opportunities that contribute to their communities
UniSA is Australia’s University of Enterprise.
To find out more, visit the University of South Australia website www.unisa.edu.au
Governance
University of South Australia Council
Council is the governing body of the University of South Australia and is responsible for the following
overseeing the management and development of the University
approving strategic plans and major policies, devising or approving statutes and by-laws for the University,
monitoring and reviewing the operation of the University
appointing, and overseeing the performance of the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice-Chancellor.
Membership of the University of South Australia’s Council is as follows:
Ex-Officio Members
Pauline Carr – Chancellor (to 25 March 2026)
Professor David Lloyd – Vice-Chancellor and President
Hon John Hill – Deputy Chancellor (to 25 June 2025)
Mr Jim Hazel – Pro-Chancellor (to 19 December 2024)
Professor Deidre Tedmanson – (to 31 December 2024)
Appointed Members – Council
Ms Carolyn Mitchell (31 December 2026)
Ms Mary Patetsos AM (31 December 2026)
Mr Michael Abbott AO KC (31 December 2026)
Mr Ian Smith AM (to 31 December 2026)
Ms Nicolle Rantanen Reynolds (31 December 2026)
Mr Bill Muirhead AO (31 December 2026)
Elected Members
Professor Craig Williams – Academic Staff (31 December 2025)
Ms Vanessa Matthews – Professional Staff (31 December 2025)
Mr Oliver Shephard-Bayly (31 December 2024)
Mr Benjamin Opiyo (31 December 2024)
Other Governing Bodies
Other Governing bodies within the University include:
Academic Board
Chair – Professor Deirdre Tedmanson
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
Chair – Mr Jim Hazel
Governance and Nominations Committee
Chair – Pauline Carr
Urgent Business Committee
Chair – Pauline Carr
Senior Academic Promotions Committee
Chair – Professor David Lloyd
Senior Remuneration Committee
Chair – Pauline Carr