Associate Registrar, Student Governance and Compliance

Torrens University Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Study benefits

B Corp culture

Internal opportunities

Job summary

Torrens University Australia is seeking an Associate Registrar for Student Governance and Compliance at its Sydney campus. The role delivers senior governance, assurance and regulatory oversight across Academic Services, Student Experience, Legal, Risk and compliance functions.

You will lead complex matters, advise senior stakeholders on regulatory obligations, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring fair, auditable processes and high-quality student administration outcomes.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant senior experience in academic or student administration within higher education.
• Demonstrated experience managing student complaints, appeals and complex case resolution, including high‑risk matters.
• Experience leading responses to external complaints, investigations or regulatory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Provide governance and assurance oversight across student complaints, appeals, misconduct and academic integrity processes.
• Lead complex and high‑risk matters within delegated authority, maintaining confidentiality and records management.
• Coordinate responses to external complaints and investigations, including matters referred to external ombudsmen.
• Oversee student wellbeing and safety processes, including escalation and incident management.
• Translate legislative requirements into clear policies and escalation pathways.

Skills

Governance oversight

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Data governance

Education

Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

Associate Registrar, Student Governance and Compliance

Torrens University Australia – Sydney CBD NSW

Who we are?
At Torrens University Australia,making a difference is in our DNA. As a Certified B Corporation, we belong to a global community of future-focused companies using business as a force for good. We believe in the transformative power of education to change lives, families, communities - and the world. That’s why we’re on a mission to increase access to higher education, so learners from all walks of life can chase their dreams.

Just like our students, our employees are a diverse group who want to make an impact. When you join us, we give you the freedom to be bold, creative and courageous – with flexible working arrangements that allow you to bring your best. We’ve built a culture that celebrates community, collaboration and innovation, where people love what they do.

What’s the job?
The Associate Registrar-Student Governance and Compliance provides senior governance, assurance and regulatory oversight across designated Academic Services functions. The role supports the integrity of student decision-making, academic records, complaints and appeals, student safety and wellbeing processes, completions and related student administration.

Working across Academic Services, Student Experience, Legal, Risk, Compliance and academic areas, you will ensure processes are fair, consistent, evidence-based, compliant and auditable. You will lead or coordinate complex and high-risk matters within delegated authority, provide constructive challenges to operational leaders and advise senior stakeholders on regulatory obligations, risk, assurance and continuous improvement.

Day-to-day accountabilities:

Provide governance and assurance oversight across student complaints, appeals, misconduct and academic integrity processes, ensuring procedural fairness and appropriate separation of investigation, decision-making, review and appeal functions.

Lead complex and high-risk matters within delegated authority, maintaining confidentiality, privacy, records management and conflict-of-interest requirements.

Coordinate the University’s responses to external complaints and investigations, including matters referred to the National Student Ombudsman, and prepare evidence-based submissions and response materials.

Oversee student wellbeing and safety processes, including escalation, reporting, referrals, incident management and compliance with gender-based violence prevention and response requirements.

Maintain evidence readiness, data integrity and audit compliance, using student voice, case trends and emerging risks to drive continuous improvement, particularly for students at risk and under-represented cohorts.

Establish and maintain a risk-based assurance framework across complaints, student safety, completions, records and student administration processes.

Translate legislative and regulatory requirements into clear policies, procedures, controls, evidence requirements and escalation pathways, including ESOS, the National Code, TEQSA, ASQA, HESF, CRICOS and PRISMS obligations.

Lead reporting on complaints, student safety and wellbeing, GBV, completions, graduation and related student administration matters, ensuring information is accurate, privacy compliant and audit ready.

Provide oversight and assurance of completions, award eligibility, certification, graduation, student records and post-enrolment processes including progression, re-enrolment, transfers, withdrawals, credit and recognition of prior learning.

Provide expert advice to senior leaders and governance forums, work with Heads of Department and key stakeholders to resolve issues, and address root causes through policy review and continuous improvement.

Lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability, accuracy, service, collaboration, learning and positive leadership.

Who you are

A postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Significant senior experience in academic or student administration within higher education.

Demonstrated experience managing student complaints, appeals and complex case resolution, including high-risk matters.

Experience leading responses to external complaints, investigations or regulatory bodies.

Experience overseeing student lifecycle processes, including progression, academic records and completions.

Advanced knowledge of the Australian higher education regulatory framework, including the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, with the ability to translate obligations into fair and auditable processes.

Strong working knowledge of the ESOS Act, National Code, TEQSA, ASQA, HESF, CRICOS and PRISMS requirements.

Experience providing leadership or assurance in student wellbeing and safety, including sensitive disclosures, incident response, risk and gender-based violence compliance.

Strong analytical, reporting and data governance skills, with the ability to use digital tools and AI appropriately to improve workflows, case management and service delivery.

Sound judgement, problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to deliver fair, practical and student-centred outcomes.

This is a permanent, full-time position based at Surry Hills Campus in Sydney.

Why join us?
Bold, modern and agile, we’re Australia’s fastest-growing university, going from 164 students in 2014 to 40,000+ alumni across 115+ countries and 2000+ staff today. In 2020, Australian Financial Review named us one of the country’s most innovative companies. As we continue to establish ourselves as a truly global university, we never lose sight of our student-centric approach. Supported by teams of passionate people, you’ll find endless opportunities for professional development and career progression.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all positions.

What we offer:
We support your personal passions, development and wellbeing, to make your working life a more rewarding experience. At Torrens University Australia, you’ll benefit from:

Study free in a course/degree related to your position

B Corp certified university – values driven, and purpose led

Access to internal opportunities - Be supported to learn, grow and move across the organisation

Hiring process
We aim to provide you with the information you need at each stage of this process to help you present your best self. We are committed to ensuring an equitable, barrier-free application process and have a Reasonable Adjustment Procedure in place to support you throughout the recruitment process.

To learn more about what makes Torrens University Australia a great place to work, visit https://www.torrens.edu.au/blog.

We’d love to hear from you.

Applications for this role will close on Wednesday 30th September.

Please note, we may close applications earlier should a suitable candidate be identified. You can expect to hear from our Talent Acquisition team after this date with updates regarding your application.