1. Introduction 

The Terms of Reference of the Planning and Resources Committee (‘the Committee’; ‘PRC’) are established to assist and advise Council and the Vice-Chancellor and President, as accountable officers, on the discharge of their functions and duties in accordance with the University of the Sunshine Coast Act 1998, the Financial Accountability Act 2009,  and the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. 

This document sets out the Committee’s key objectives, authority, composition and tenure, roles and responsibilities, reporting and administrative arrangements.  

The Committee does not have authority to implement actions over which the Vice-Chancellor and President or nominee has responsibility; it does not have any delegated financial powers, and it does not have any management function. 

The Committee plays a critical role in ensuring that UniSC fulfills its strategic objectives, operates within its stated risk appetite, and retains its social license and the support and trust of students, staff, regulators, industry partners, and the community.  

The Committee will have regard to the identification and management of risk in the discharge of its responsibilities and will inform the Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMC) of relevant matters via the Committee Chair and common member (see below). 

The Committee shall immediately escalate to Council, via the Committee Chair and the Vice-Chancellor and President, any significant or material matters of concern.  

2. Terms of Reference 

The Committee reviews and recommends to Council the strategic directions of the University, including its controlled entities and significant commercial ventures, in the context of development of the University’s budgets, plans and the associated financial and human resourcing strategies. It also provides advice to Council on issues arising from these plans.  

The key areas of concern to the Committee are: 

1. Planning and Strategy (including student load),  
2. Budgeting and Financial Resources,  
3. Asset Management (including built environment, physical and digital infrastructure, and information technology), and  
4. Human Resources (including Workforce Planning). 

3. Objectives 

The Committee’s role is strategic rather than operational. Specifically, the Committee’s functions are as follows:  

Planning and Strategy 

• to provide advice on the development of key performance indicators consistent with the University’s strategy and priorities; 
• to review, consider and provide advice on strategic plans and initiatives, including major projects, and make recommendations to Council; 
• to monitor progress of the implementation of the University’s strategic and operational plans; and 
• to provide advice to Council on the outcomes of organisational and thematic reviews in the context of the University’s plans, and address any resource implications of the reviews. 

Financial Resources and Investment 

• to consider strategic budget issues, approve the budget framework, and recommend to Council the adoption of the annual budget; 
• to review budget reforecasts and recommend to Council for approval; 
• to consider reports on budget measures adopted to address identified trends or specific issues; and 
• to approve investment management guidelines and advise Council on investment issues for the University. 

Asset Management (including Information Technology) 

• to recommend to Council the Strategic Asset Management Plan, including priorities for capital and information technology development and maintenance, and associated financial and workforce resource strategies; and 
• to recommend to Council on site planning and building design matters for the University campus, with consideration to relevant environmental, social and governance principles.  

Human Resources Workforce Planning 

• to oversee alignment of the University’s workforce strategies with the University strategic and organisational plans to enhance people, culture and organisational effectiveness; 
• to provide advice to Council on human resource strategy and trends; and 
• to provide advice to Council on staffing policies where they have a significant resource impact. 

4. Delegations and Authorities 

• to approve Investment Management Guidelines  

5. Composition 

• Chairperson (appointed by Council) 
• Deputy-Chairperson (appointed by Council)  
• Vice-Chancellor and President 
• Four members with expertise in strategic financial management and planning, appointed by Council, at least one of whom must be a member of Council. 
• A member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMC) as determined by the Chairperson of ARMC, and appointed by Council 

The Committee Chairperson will be a Council member external to the University and will be nominated by the Chancellor after consultation with the Vice-Chancellor and President and appointed by Council, taking into account the experience, skills, qualifications and leadership of nominees.   

The Deputy Chairperson is drawn from the membership of the Committee. 

Collectively, the Committee shall possess: 

• a thorough understanding of core activities of the University and the Higher Education Sector; 
• a commitment to the continual improvement of the University’s financial and non-financial performance management information;   
• strong business acumen and management skills; 
• a high level of understanding of best practice strategic financial management and planning, asset management including information technology, human resource workforce planning, and corporate governance; 
• a high level of competency in financial reporting and the ability to analyse complex financial reports; 
• an inquiring attitude, objectivity and independence; 
• a strong, demonstrated sense of probity and ethical conduct; and 
• strong experience in delivery of major capital projects and physical infrastructure, and delivery of contemporary information technology and digital services and programs. 

The Nominations Committee and Executive Committee of Council (NC&ECC) will develop recommendations to Council on the filling of positions on the Committee.  

The PRC Chairperson and the Vice-Chancellor and President may make recommendations on the filling of PRC positions to the NC&ECC.  

The initial term of office of members will be for a period not exceeding three years and can be extended for further terms subject to the composition and skill requirements of the committee.  

The Chancellor, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Planning and Resources Committee and the Vice-Chancellor and President, may co-opt up to two additional members, with full rights, for a specified period to facilitate succession planning and access to specific expertise. 

6. Responsibilities of Members  

Members of the Committee are expected to understand and observe the legal requirements of the University of the Sunshine Coast Act (1998) Qld.  

Members of the Committee will at all times in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities:  

• act always in the best interests of the University as a whole 
• exercise honesty, objectivity, probity and confidentiality, and not knowingly engage in activities that have the potential to bring discredit to the University   
• disclose and avoid conflicts of interest 
• not improperly use their position to gain an advantage for themselves or someone else 
• refraining from entering into any activity that may prejudice their ability to carry out their duties and responsibilities objectively 
• maintain the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of their duties.  Information should not be used for personal benefit.   

If there is any doubt over the conveying of information to a person for reasons other than UniSC purposes, the Committee Chair and the Vice-Chancellor and President are to be notified. 

Member involvement with the UniSC Executive and Senior Staff is limited to receiving and providing comment on meeting agenda submissions or presentations related to these terms of reference. Any interactions between Committee Members outside of a Committee Meeting require prior consultation with and agreement from the Committee Chair and the Vice-Chancellor and President.  

7. Meetings of the Planning and Resources Committee 

In attendance (having participatory, but not voting, rights) 

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) 
• Chief Operating Officer 
• Chief Financial Officer  
• Council Secretary and Director Governance and Risk Management 

The Council Secretariat will provide Secretarial support to the Committee.  

• Frequency of meetings 

Meetings will be held at least four times per year. In addition, the Chairperson may call such additional meetings as may be necessary to address any matters referred to the Committee or in respect of matters that the Committee wishes to pursue. 

Council members will be provided with access to Committee papers and may attend Committee meetings after consultation with the Committee Chair and advising the Secretariat of their planned attendance. 

• Quorum 

A quorum consists of at least one half of the members, of which at least three must be independent.  

8. Authority, access and engagement 

Authority is granted for full, free and unrestricted access to any and all of the University’s documents, records, physical properties, and relevant personnel (subject to the above), to allow the discharge of the Committee’s duties and responsibilities. 

All employees are requested to provide frank, truthful and meaningful answers to questions raised by the Committee in fulfilling its function.  

For specific purposes approved by the Council, retired Committee members may have access to documentation addressed by the Committee within five years of stepping down from the Committee in order that decisions made by the Committee during a former member’s term may be justified if necessary. 

9. Interaction with the Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMC) 

The Committee will liaise closely with the ARMC to ensure there is no material overlap between the respective functions.  It will also ensure that there is a frank and meaningful exchange of information between the committees where this is necessary or desirable. 

10. Reporting by the Planning and Resources Committee 

The Committee reports the minutes of meetings together with any relevant reports and information directly to the UniSC Council (‘Council). This includes, as soon as practicable after the end of the UniSC’s financial year, providing Council with a report about the Committee’s operations for the year.  

11.  Evaluation and Review 

To enable the Committee to operate effectively and fulfil its functions, it will: 

• undertake a review of its Terms of Reference at least every two years. 
• undertake a self-assessment of its performance at least every two years.  Appropriate action will be taken where a need for improvement has been identified. The results of all self-assessments and reviews will be provided to Council. 

Approved: Council C00/48, 13 June 2000

Revised: Council C18/54, 2 August 2018

Revised: Council C18/76, 6 December 2018

Revised: Council C21/06, 22 February 2021

Revised: Council C22/23, 10 October 2022

Revised: Council C24/27, 15 October 2024

Last revised: Council C26/12, 20 April 2026