The University is a body corporate governed by the University of Queensland Act 1998. The Act outlines UQ’s many functions and general powers, including its primary function “to disseminate knowledge and promote scholarship”.

The University of Queensland Act also establishes the Senate as the University’s peak governing body. While the Chancellor leads the UQ Senate, the Vice-Chancellor and President is the University’s Chief Executive Officer, with responsibility for reporting to Senate on overall strategic planning, financial performance and external affairs.

Like any large organisation, UQ has a governance and management framework that is underpinned by a range of policies, procedures, and guidelines. The University’s organisational structure is comprised of a number of faculties, schools, institutes, and centres.