CAPA Overview

Download: CAPA 2019 affiliation information booklet (compressed version)

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is the peak body representing the interests of the over 400,000 postgraduate students in Australia. We represent coursework and research, as well as domestic and international, postgraduate students.

Founded in 1979, CAPA is a membership based non-profit organisation.We are comprised of 28 university and campus based postgraduate associations, as well as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Postgraduate Association (NATSIPA).

As the national voice on postgraduate issues, CAPA communicates the interests and perspectives of postgraduate students to the Federal Government, Federal Opposition and minor parties, and higher education peak bodies.

CAPA’s activities are supported by quality research. CAPA continues to play a leading role in higher education as an authoritative source of information on postgraduate issues.

Information, support and advice are provided to individual postgraduate students by CAPA’s affiliated member organisations on university campuses in each state and territory. CAPA’s members also elect regional representatives to assist in coordinating activities and information sharing between postgraduate associations.

An elected Executive Committee governs CAPA throughout the year. The national office is located in Melbourne.

CAPA celebrated its 25th year in 2004, and a commemorative history was written for the event.

CAPA is celebrating its 40th year in 2019.