La Trobe Student Union

What La Trobe Student Union does

La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) is a student-led, independent, registered charity headquartered at the Agora East Building on La Trobe University's Bundoora campus in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1967 as the university's first Student Representative Council and incorporated as a Student Union in 1971, LTSU represents approximately 23,000+ enrolled students through elected representatives across roughly 20 portfolio offices (President, Welfare VP, Education VP, Disabilities, Queer, Women's, People of Colour, Residential, Postgraduate, and others) and sub-collectives including the International Students Collective (ISC) and Mature Age Students Organisation (MASO).

LTSU's core product and service suite spans student welfare (Feed La Trobe food bank serving up to 250 students daily, $60 Safety Net payments, $50 Placement Travel Support vouchers), free independent advocacy and legal services, the independently published Rabelais Magazine (distributed to 35,000 students in Victoria every 6-8 weeks), campus events (BBQs, day trips, Paint & Pizza nights, healthcare info sessions), and LTSU-branded merchandise sold via an e-commerce storefront. The operating platform is the MSL Membership System, a third-party website/membership tool, with no proprietary AI or advanced technology stack disclosed.

Revenue is derived from Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) allocations channelled through La Trobe University, supplemented by merchandise sales, event ticketing, donations tiered from $5 to $500, and a one-off Safety Net support payment of $60. Membership is free for all La Trobe students. LTSU is currently operating amid material structural challenges: La Trobe University unilaterally shut down LTSU's independent Advocacy Service on 13 December 2024 and established a rival Student Council receiving $386,534 in SSAF funding, against only ~$32,000 per year directed to LTSU's foodbank, placing the union's funding base and operational scope under direct institutional pressure.

Name

La Trobe Student Union

Legal name

La Trobe Student Union

Website

https://latrobesu.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Trobe Student Union is an independent, student-led registered charity founded in 1967 that represents approximately 23,000 students at La Trobe University's Bundoora campus, delivering welfare services (food bank, financial support), advocacy, legal aid, events, and the Rabelais Magazine, funded primarily through university SSAF allocations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Union Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDALAHAB

Student Organizations & Club Administration

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Student Activities, Clubs & Campus Life

Keywords

• Student union services
• Student advocacy
• Campus welfare support
• Student representation
• Student food bank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bundoora

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) Funding: Primary funding from SSAF allocated by the university. The university allocated $386,534 to a new Student Council while providing only $32,000 per year to support the LTSU's foodbank.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of LTSU branded merchandise including hoodies, backpacks, water bottles, caps, beanies, notebooks, totes, pens, and bundles through the online shop.
3. Event Ticketing: Revenue from ticketed events including day trips (Sovereign Hill, Lake Mountain Snow Trip) and activities (Paint & Pizza).
4. Donations: Accepts monetary donations at various tiers ($5, $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500) to support programs and initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) is a student-led representative body that provides free membership, advocacy, welfare and financial support programs (Feed La Trobe food bank, Safety Net, Placement Travel Support), a free legal service, the independent Rabelais student magazine, campus events, and branded merchandise to La Trobe University students at its Bundoora campus.

Product overview

La Trobe Student Union (LTSU) is a student-led representative body offering a comprehensive suite of services including free student membership, merchandise sales, food security programs (Feed La Trobe food bank), financial support (Safety Net, Placement Travel Support), advocacy services, the independent Rabelais Magazine, and various campus events. The organization operates advocacy campaigns on housing rights, placement poverty, and parking costs, while also providing a legal service and supporting the International Student Collective. LTSU represents approximately 23,000+ students across diverse cohorts at La Trobe University.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Student Membership Free student membership providing La Trobe University students with access to LTSU services, representation, events, and member-only pricing.
• Feed La Trobe Food Bank Free food bank providing food and household items to La Trobe University students experiencing food insecurity, operating Tuesdays through Thursdays at Ground Floor Agora, Shop 113.
• LTSU Safety Net One-off $60 financial support payment for La Trobe Melbourne Bundoora campus students experiencing urgent or unexpected expenses, designed to help over 200 students per semester.
• Placement Travel Support $50 petrol or public transport voucher for La Trobe Bundoora students completing mandatory placements not covered by Commonwealth Prac Payments.
• Student Advocacy Service Free, independent advocacy support service for La Trobe students, providing assistance with university-related issues (note: shut down by La Trobe University on 13 December 2024).
• Rabelais Magazine Independent student magazine published digitally every 6-8 weeks, distributed free to 35,000 students in Victoria.
• Legal Service for Students Free, independent legal service for La Trobe students, run by LTSU rather than the university.
• Campus Events Various campus events including free BBQs, day trips (Sovereign Hill, Lake Mountain snow trips), Paint & Pizza nights, and healthcare information sessions, with member pricing for ticketed events.
• LTSU Merchandise Branded merchandise including hoodies ($55), backpacks ($25), water bottles ($10), caps ($18), beanies ($18), notebooks ($5), pens ($2), and tote bags ($5) sold through the LTSU online shop.
• La Trobe Student Union Ultimate Pack Bundled merchandise pack priced at $70 (normally $95) containing LTSU branded backpack, cap or beanie, notebook, pen, water bottle, hoodie, and A2 wall planner for campus essentials.
• International Student Collective Student group supporting international students at La Trobe University through advocacy, community building, and targeted events such as the Know Your Healthcare session (delivered in partnership with MHSS).

Quantifiable outcome

• Food bank serves up to 250 students daily
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Multicultural Health & Support Service (MHSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 July 2026MHSS, a program of the Centre for Culture, Equity and Health (CEH), partners with LTSU to deliver the 'Know Your Healthcare' information session helping international students understand Australia's healthcare system.
• Food Bank VictoriacoreOthersFood Bank Victoria supports LTSU's Feed La Trobe food bank program by providing food supplies. The food bank distributes food and household items to students in need.
• AldisupportingOthersAldi provides food donations to support LTSU's Feed La Trobe food bank program.
• Bread TopsupportingOthersBread Top provides bakery donations to support LTSU's food bank operations.
• WormaldsupportingOthersCorporate supporter of LTSU's Feed La Trobe food bank program.
• Nelson AlexandersupportingOthersCorporate supporter of LTSU's Feed La Trobe food bank program.
• National Union of Students (NUS)coreOthersNUS is the peak representative body for Australian higher education students. LTSU holds membership affiliation with NUS.
• Student Experience Network (SEN)supportingOthersSEN is owned and run by member organisations including universities, TAFEs, student unions, guilds and associations. LTSU holds membership affiliation with SEN.
• Rabelais Student Media PartnerssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRabelais Magazine offers advertising space and brand features for businesses seeking exposure at La Trobe University's Melbourne Bundoora campus with additional exposure online and via social media.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Monash Student Association (MSA): MSA represents Monash University students with elected officers, advocacy, welfare, and campus activities. It is a like-for-like Victorian university student union peer.
• University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU): UMSU is the peak representative body for University of Melbourne students, providing advocacy, welfare, clubs, events, media, and legal services — a directly comparable Australian student union model operating at a larger metropolitan campus.
• University of Queensland Union (UQ Union): UQ Union operates student services, retail, advocacy, and events for University of Queensland students. Comparable large-scale Australian student union with similar funding and SSAF model.
• Deakin University Student Association (DUSA): DUSA represents Deakin University students across multiple campuses, providing advocacy and student services. Comparable Victorian student union with multi-campus footprint.
• Victoria University Student Union (VUSU): VUSU represents Victoria University students, delivering advocacy, events, and support services. Direct Melbourne-based student union peer.
• Swinburne Student Union: Student union serving Swinburne University students with advocacy, welfare, and campus activities. Direct Victorian university peer.
• RMIT Student Union (RUSU): RUSU is the elected student representative body at RMIT University, offering advocacy, welfare, clubs, and events. Comparable urban Victorian student union peer.
• University of Sydney Students' Representative Council (SRC): The University of Sydney SRC is one of Australia's largest independent student representative bodies, providing advocacy, legal, and media services. Comparable model for independent advocacy and casework.

Others

• Foodbank Victoria: Foodbank Victoria is a current LTSU supplier partner for the Feed La Trobe food bank and operates comparable student-facing food relief programs across Victorian universities, making it an adjacent ecosystem peer rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• National Union of Students (NUS): NUS is the peak national body for Australian higher education students; LTSU is a member. It is a broader incumbent operating at sector level, providing policy advocacy and representation that overlaps with LTSU's mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/LaTrobeStudentUnion
• Instagraminstagram.com/latrobestudentunion
• Xx.com/LaTrobeSU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-trobe-university-student-union

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La Trobe Student Union