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Enhancing Governance Leadership in Student Unions

Out of the Boardinary is a practical, hands-on training course designed specifically for students elected to the Board, Council, Senate, or Committee of their student union, student guild, or student association.

Delivered by CPR Group specifically for student unions, this two-day immersive course builds baseline governance capability for elected student leaders. It equips board members with real-world knowledge, relevant tools and the confidence to govern with impact, not just attend meetings.

The course aligns with university risk and compliance priorities and has been designed to strengthen collaboration between universities and their student organisations. This is particularly important following changes to the Higher Education Support Act, which now requires at least 40% of SSAF revenue to be allocated to independent, student-led organisations.

To address universities’ concerns, all student unions must demonstrate strong governance capability to ensure that their SSAF funding is managed effectively, transparently and in the best interests of students.

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TRUSTED BY ORGANISATIONS ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Outcomes you
can expect

Reduced legal, reputational and compliance risks

Faster onboarding of student council and board members

Stronger board-management relationships

Confident use of SSAF and improved financial literacy

Better decision-making and clearer strategic focus

Reduce Risk. Build Confidence. Strengthen Leadership.

Let’s be honest — student leaders are often thrown into high-stakes governance roles with limited experience and no formal induction. Universities see this as a risk. Student unions feel the pressure.

This program ensures:
  • Student associations are well-governed, compliant and financially responsible
  • Universities can have greater confidence in student boards from day one
  • Elected student leaders gain the skills, knowledge and credibility to lead well and leave a legacy

The course is designed to strengthen the student voice. It demonstrates that universities and their unions truly back their student leaders with the training and support they need to succeed in the role.

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What's Covered?

Key Focus Areas

Out of the Boardinary is an immersive, practical course that builds real governance capability in student boards. It’s designed for both newly-elected and continuing student leaders. Built on CPR Group’s decades of experience, this course moves beyond theory. It will help your student leaders build the confidence and capability to lead from the boardroom.

  • Understand legal structures, board roles and governance frameworks
  • Clarify the responsibilities of elected student leaders, including duties under the ACNC and HESA
  • Learn how to run effective meetings, delegate authority and avoid operational overreach
  • Define the relationship between student associations and their universities, including governance expectations and reporting lines
  • Develop and implement strategic and succession plans that outlast your term
  • Learn how to set direction without micromanaging operations
  • Use data to inform decisions and shape a legacy that lasts
  • Strengthen alignment with university strategy while remaining autonomous and student-led
  • Make the most of digital tools, AI and machine learning to streamline student engagement, manage communication and protect student data
  • Learn how to read and question financial reports with purpose
  • Understand SSAF rules and your responsibilities for spending and reporting
  • Build budgeting skills, assess financial risk and improve transparency
  • Develop strategies for sponsorships, grants and commercial revenue streams
  • Identify, assess and manage risks at the board level
  • Learn practical approaches to dispute prevention and conflict management
  • Understand your legal exposure and what to do when things go wrong
  • Navigate political dynamics, manage conflicts of interest and avoid burnout
  • Understand how student unions can advocate effectively while maintaining respect for the university
  • Learn how to work with stakeholders, including staff, students, university leaders, commercial operators and community partners
  • Build a board culture that listens, learns and leads with credibility
  • Discover how your union can influence university decisions and student experience outcomes
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Train your board. Reduce your risk. Strengthen student leadership.

Key Focus Areas

Reduced risk

Meet legal, governance and funding obligations confidently

Compliance foundation

Understand duties, SSAF and key policies

Board effectiveness

Fast‑track onboarding tools for meetings and oversight

Volunteer engagement

Enable planning, delegation and leadership development

Student collaboration

Align associations with university expectations and autonomy

Leadership sustainability

Embed governance capability, stability and succession planning

Flexible delivery options

Pricing

Investing in high-level governance training is a critical step for any director, but the cost can often be a significant barrier. To put things in perspective, the standard AICD Company Director course costs non-members $7,700, while even their 1.5-day Governance Foundations workshop is $1,800. We believe essential, expert-led education shouldn't be out of reach.

That's why we've designed our packages to provide a more accessible, high-impact alternative, delivering exceptional value at a fraction of the traditional cost. Explore the options below to find the perfect fit for you and your board.

1 Person

For the dedicated leader

$1070 
  • ✓Full 2-day course with industry experts
  • ✓All course materials & toolkit
  • ✓All-day catering
  • ✓Per-person group discount
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2 People

Shared vision, shared success

$980per person
  • ✓Full 2-day course with industry experts
  • ✓All course materials & toolkit
  • ✓All-day catering
  • ✓Per-person group discount
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3 People

Unify your key decision-makers

$935per person
  • ✓Full 2-day course with industry experts
  • ✓All course materials & toolkit
  • ✓All-day catering
  • ✓Deeper per-person discount
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Most Popular

4+ People

Maximum impact and savings

$890per person
  • ✓Full 2-day course with industry experts
  • ✓All course materials & toolkit
  • ✓All-day catering
  • ✓Maximum per-person discount
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Looking for a personalised solution?

READ WHAT UNIVERSITIES THINK OF US

Testimonials

From clubs and associations to peak sporting bodies, from local and state government to universities and other organisations, our main goal is to deliver “wow” factor across all of our project work.

4.9

Based on 100+ Google Reviews

Upcoming Dates

Next Events

28–29 October 2025

Perth, WA

Sold out

30–31 October 2025

Perth, WA

Sold out

1–2 December 2025

Sydney, NSW

Sold out

4–5 December 2025

Brisbane, QLD

Sold out

28–29 January 2026

Parramatta, NSW

Registrations open

5–6 February 2026

Melbourne, VIC

Registrations open

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How Does Out of the Boardinary Compare to Other Governance Training Programs?

Feature

Out of the Boardinary

AICD Governance Foundations for Not-for-Profit Directors

AICD Company Directors Course

Governance Institute – Certificate in Governance for Not-for-Profits

Sector-Specific Focus

Specifically designed for students elected to student union boards, addressing unique challenges and SSAF funding obligations

General not-for-profit governance; not tailored for student organisations

Geared towards corporate directors and executives; not tailored for student governance

Designed for individuals involved with not-for-profit organisations; not tailored for student organisations

Practical, Hands-On Learning

Incorporates workshops, scenario plays and real-world university case studies to ensure immediate applicability

Interactive sessions with case studies relevant to not-for-profit governance

Includes case studies and simulations relevant to corporate governance

Offers practical insights with case studies relevant to the general not-for-profit sector

Tailored Content

Directly addresses challenges faced by student boards, including SSAF funding obligations and university-specific governance issues

Focuses on general not-for-profit governance, lacking content specific to student organisations

Covers general corporate governance principles without customisation for student-led entities

Covers general governance principles pertinent to not-for-profit organisations; not specifically tailored to student governance

Time Commitment

Two-day intensive, immersive in-person training designed to accommodate student schedules

One-and-a-half-day program

Five-day intensive course with significant pre-reading (60-80 hours) and additional assessment time

Flexible delivery options; typically completed over several weeks

Certification

Certificate of Completion with CPD hours and digital badging; includes sector-specific resources and post-course support

Certificate of Completion; does not include post-nominals

Certificate with GAICD post-nominal upon completion and assessment; requires ongoing paid AICD membership

Certificate with CPD points; offers post-nominals upon meeting specific criteria

Ongoing Support

Provides quarterly refreshers, ongoing access to resources and a governance helpline to support continuous learning

No formal ongoing support post-completion; additional resources may require further enrollment or membership

No formal ongoing support post-completion; additional resources may require further enrollment or membership

Limited ongoing support; additional resources and support may be available through membership at extra cost

Cost

Affordable pricing per board, tailored for student organisations

Commercial per person rates

Commercial per person rates

Commercial per person rates

Secure enrolment! Don't miss out on this opportunity.

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    Interested in attending an event in your area that’s not listed? Contact us to discuss.



    Disclaimer: Please note the price does not include accommodation, transport or parking. In the event that the minimum attendance requirement for this event is not met, the organiser reserves the right to cancel or reschedule. If the event is cancelled, all course booking fees paid will be refunded in full. The organiser will not be liable for any additional costs, expenses or compensation if the course is cancelled or rescheduled.