Governance Overview

JMC Pty. Limited (ACN 003 572 012) is registered with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission as an Australian Proprietary Company, operating under a standard Corporations Law constitution, as per the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). Dr J Martin Cass established the operation in 1982 and is the owner and Managing Director of JMC PTY. LIMITED. The trading name for the company is the JMC Academy, which operates in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Charter establishes the foundation of JMC Academy’s (JMC) higher education services by providing a clear governance framework for the corporate and academic activities of JMC, ensuring it meets relevant external standards and legislation, including:

  • Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, as established by sub-section 58(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act 2011),
  • Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000,
  • Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Regulations 2001,
  • National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code), and
  • ELICOS National Standards.

All JMC Academy staff are responsible for ensuring the efficient performance and high-quality provision of the higher education delivered by JMC Academy. The governance of this provision is the responsibility of JMC’s formally appointed boards, committees, sub-committees and working parties.

JMC Academy’s governance structure includes the following:

  • Governing Council,
    • Student Appeals Committee,
    • Senior Management Committee,
    • Risk Management Committee,
    • Academic Board,
      • Academic Board Executive Committee,
      • Learning and Teaching Committee,
        • Curriculum Design and Delivery Committees
    • Course Advisory Committees,
    • Scholarship Committee,

(Working Parties)

View Our Governance Chart

Governing Council

The Governing Council has oversight of JMC Academy’s funding, strategic direction and management. It comprises a majority of external members who are experienced in governance roles in either the education sector or the public and private business sectors.

The functions of the Governing Council are to:

  • Establish and monitor the pursuit of the vision, purpose and strategic objectives of JMC Academy,  by developing, maintaining, promoting and monitoring the implementation of JMC Academy’s Strategic Plan,
  • Establish and maintain an institutional environment in which freedom of speech is upheld and protected, students and staff are treated equitably, the wellbeing of students and staff is fostered, informed decision making by students is supported and students have opportunities to participate in the deliberative and decision-making processes of JMC Academy,
  • Oversee and review the management and performance of JMC Academy,
  • Develop, maintain, promote and monitor the implementation of JMC’s Risk Management Framework, to ensure adequate risk management measures are in place in all areas including financial reporting, internal control systems, risk management, business continuity, fraud prevention and the internal and external audit functions, and that risks to higher education operations have been identified and material risks are being managed and mitigated effectively,
  • Ensure the Governing Council and JMC Academy at large meet their legal and compliance obligations, including the requirement to maintain a true record of the business of the governing body and JMC Academy, as set out in the Company Constitution, the Corporations Act, and the Higher Education Standards,
  • Establish and periodically review the quality assurance framework and arrangements to guide the JMC Academy’s educational and business functions within a culture of continuous improvement and receive regular reports on the implementation of quality assurance mechanisms,
  • Define roles and develop, implement and regularly review a register of delegations as is necessary for effective governance, policy development and management and monitoring the implementation of those delegations, including:
    • Establishing and delegating appropriate authority to the Academic Board as the academic governing body, appointing its members and maintaining oversight and receiving reports of its activities and performance,
    • Establishing and delegating appropriate authority to the Senior Management Committee as the body responsible for the efficient conduct of JMC’s day to day business and maintaining oversight and receiving reports of its activities and performance,
    • Establishing and delegating appropriate authority to the Risk Management Committee as the body responsible for oversight of the risk profile and risk management of JMC Academy within the context of the Governing Council’s determined risk appetite,
    • Establishing and delegating appropriate authority to the Student Appeals Committee as the body responsible for hearing all student appeals in regard to a decision made by JMC Academy in regard to academic and non-academic matters,
    • Establishing and convening Working Parties as the Council may consider necessary for the conduct of its business, approving their terms of reference, receiving reports and overseeing their work, and disestablishing these parties if it deems that they are no longer required.
    • Exercise financial oversight of operations to ensure JMC Academy has sufficient funds to maintain financial viability and sustainability for its ongoing operations and meet all legislative and regulatory requirements,
  • Approve major submissions made by JMC Pty. Limited to external regulators, including for example (but not limited to)
    • Applying for re-registration as a higher education provider,
    • Applying for accreditation/re-accreditation of higher education courses,
    • Applying for re-registration as a CRICOS provider, and/or
    • Statutory reporting to the Department of Education and the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency,
  • Monitor the occurrence and nature of formal complaints, allegations of misconduct, breaches of academic integrity and critical incidents and ensure action is taken to address underlying causes,
  • Award qualifications as recommended by the Academic Board.
View JMC's Statement of Financial Standing

Members of the Governing Council

Mr Rodd Camm

Chair, Governing Council

Rod has over 30 years’ experience in tertiary education, developing expert knowledge of policy, federal and state responsibilities, governance, institutional operations, management and regulation Rod engages on complex policy issues and has expertise in leadership, strategy, policy, change management and in facilitating innovation and opportunity through organisational design. Rod applies data analytics and interpretation to policy challenges in public administration, tertiary education, industry skills development, vocational education and training (VET) in schools and international education.

Rod has been leading significant organisational change for much of his career and possesses a unique range of experience as chief executive officer (CEO) of government agencies, statutory bodies, government-owned corporations, and private sector organisations including:

  • CEO, ACPET
  • CEO, Skills QLD
  • MD, NCVER
  • Director, Aviation Australia
  • Director, TVET
  • Associate Director, General QLD Dept of Education and Training
  • CEO, Construction Skills Qld.

Mr Rodd Camm

Chair, Governing Council

Rod has over 30 years’ experience in tertiary education, developing expert knowledge of policy, federal and state responsibilities, governance, institutional operations, management and regulation Rod engages on complex policy issues and has expertise in leadership, strategy, policy, change management and in facilitating innovation and opportunity through organisational design. Rod applies data analytics and interpretation to policy challenges in public administration, tertiary education, industry skills development, vocational education and training (VET) in schools and international education.

Rod has been leading significant organisational change for much of his career and possesses a unique range of experience as chief executive officer (CEO) of government agencies, statutory bodies, government-owned corporations, and private sector organisations including:

  • CEO, ACPET
  • CEO, Skills QLD
  • MD, NCVER
  • Director, Aviation Australia
  • Director, TVET
  • Associate Director, General QLD Dept of Education and Training
  • CEO, Construction Skills Qld.

Dr Martin Cass

Managing Director

Martin founded JMC Academy in 1982 and has remained staunchly dedicated to lifting the quality of education and training in the Creative Industries. Martin launched Australia’s first ever accredited courses in Audio Engineering (1991), Multimedia (1996), and Digital Television (2000) in an industry still relatively new to the opportunities and prospects of a Creatively-driven multi-media explosion within an environment traditionally.

Martin is or has been a member of multiple accreditation and advisory panels across the higher education, vocational training, creative industries and philanthropic sectors including: 

  • Chair Acpet 2010-2016
  • Acpet NSW 2001 benchmarking sub-committee 
  • Acpet NSW 2003 higher Education sub-committee.
  • VETAB accreditation panels of various private providers and TAFE.
  • CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music and Entertainment industry Training Packages.
  • CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music Industry competency standards.
  • Various Arts Training NSW advisory panels 
  • The curriculum advisory panel for the Graduate Diploma in Design Science (Audio), Sydney University Faculty of Architecture.
  • AUSMUSIC education advisory panels  
  • Australian Contemporary Music Institute ACMI panel 
  • Papers and Seminars
  • Delivery of “Innovation and Creativity – sunk without a trace” paper at the 2006 National Acpet conference. 
  • Opening address at the International Association for the Study of Popular Music Conference 2006
  • Mater Dei Foundation Committee member (Fundraising for children with disabilities)
  • Presented documentation to the Federal inquiry into the future opportunities for Australia’s film, animation special effects and electronics games industries. July 2003

Dr Martin Cass

Managing Director

Martin founded JMC Academy in 1982 and has remained staunchly dedicated to lifting the quality of education and training in the Creative Industries. Martin launched Australia’s first ever accredited courses in Audio Engineering (1991), Multimedia (1996), and Digital Television (2000) in an industry still relatively new to the opportunities and prospects of a Creatively-driven multi-media explosion within an environment traditionally.

Martin is or has been a member of multiple accreditation and advisory panels across the higher education, vocational training, creative industries and philanthropic sectors including: 

  • Chair Acpet 2010-2016
  • Acpet NSW 2001 benchmarking sub-committee 
  • Acpet NSW 2003 higher Education sub-committee.
  • VETAB accreditation panels of various private providers and TAFE.
  • CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music and Entertainment industry Training Packages.
  • CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music Industry competency standards.
  • Various Arts Training NSW advisory panels 
  • The curriculum advisory panel for the Graduate Diploma in Design Science (Audio), Sydney University Faculty of Architecture.
  • AUSMUSIC education advisory panels  
  • Australian Contemporary Music Institute ACMI panel 
  • Papers and Seminars
  • Delivery of “Innovation and Creativity – sunk without a trace” paper at the 2006 National Acpet conference. 
  • Opening address at the International Association for the Study of Popular Music Conference 2006
  • Mater Dei Foundation Committee member (Fundraising for children with disabilities)
  • Presented documentation to the Federal inquiry into the future opportunities for Australia’s film, animation special effects and electronics games industries. July 2003

Dr George Markakis

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

A Chartered Accountant by profession, George joined JMC Academy in 1998 and has held the position of CEO since 2001. During this time he has overseen the acquisition and expansion of campuses and has driven the accreditation and re-accreditation processes both in the vocational and high education sectors. George oversees the operation today across three states, 15 qualifications and over 1,800 students. George is a Doctor of Philosophy (Innovation) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr George Markakis

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

A Chartered Accountant by profession, George joined JMC Academy in 1998 and has held the position of CEO since 2001. During this time he has overseen the acquisition and expansion of campuses and has driven the accreditation and re-accreditation processes both in the vocational and high education sectors. George oversees the operation today across three states, 15 qualifications and over 1,800 students. George is a Doctor of Philosophy (Innovation) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Peter James

External Member, Governing Council

Peter has been practising as a solicitor since 1988 and held the position of associate in a multijurisdictional law firm before establishing James Solicitors in 1994.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Queensland and was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland in July 1988, to the High Court of Australia in August 1988 and to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in November 1988. He is an International Associate Member of the American Bar Association and also a member of Best Practice Lawyers and one of the first members of the Quality in Law.

Peter has a strong background in commercial law, construction law and litigation, corporate compliance, risk management and best practice and alternative dispute resolution.

LLB (UQ)
Director Solicitor, James Legal

Mr Peter James

External Member, Governing Council

Peter has been practising as a solicitor since 1988 and held the position of associate in a multijurisdictional law firm before establishing James Solicitors in 1994.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Queensland and was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland in July 1988, to the High Court of Australia in August 1988 and to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in November 1988. He is an International Associate Member of the American Bar Association and also a member of Best Practice Lawyers and one of the first members of the Quality in Law.

Peter has a strong background in commercial law, construction law and litigation, corporate compliance, risk management and best practice and alternative dispute resolution.

LLB (UQ)
Director Solicitor, James Legal

Mr Robert Peile

External Member, Governing Council

A chartered accountant in public practice, Robert provides specialist advice and consultation to small and medium enterprises on business, financial counselling and management issues; Australian taxation law practice; accountancy advisory; corporate insolvency, recovery, reconstruction and intensive care and self-managed superannuation.

Robert is a chartered tax advisor, registered company auditor, liquidator, tax agent, self-managed superannuation auditor and acts as an external examiner to the Law Society of New South Wales. Robert has served on the JMC Academy Governing Council since 2005.

Mr Robert Peile

External Member, Governing Council

A chartered accountant in public practice, Robert provides specialist advice and consultation to small and medium enterprises on business, financial counselling and management issues; Australian taxation law practice; accountancy advisory; corporate insolvency, recovery, reconstruction and intensive care and self-managed superannuation.

Robert is a chartered tax advisor, registered company auditor, liquidator, tax agent, self-managed superannuation auditor and acts as an external examiner to the Law Society of New South Wales. Robert has served on the JMC Academy Governing Council since 2005.

Pamela Christie

External Member, Governing Council

Pam has held a range of senior executive positions in Government regulation and in the tertiary education and training sector over the past 30 years. Pam has a great passion for changing lives through quality education and training and has driven major organisational, policy and regulatory reforms across a number of key leadership roles.

Pam’s strengths include driving organisational and cultural change and transforming organisations to be more customer-focused, efficient and commercially successful. She is highly accomplished in strategic leadership, innovation, advocacy and workforce reforms.

Pam is widely respected across Government and the tertiary education sector in Australia and internationally as an innovator and thought leader. Key achievements include forging partnerships across Governments, tertiary educational institutions, industry bodies and enterprises.

Pam has held the following positions:

  • Executive Director Industry Engagement and Communications Australian Aged Care Quality Agency
  • Senior Fellow LH Martin Institute
  • Executive Director Regulatory Operations ASQA
  • Managing Director TAFE NSW
  • Deputy Director General TAFE Department of Education and Communities.

Pamela Christie

External Member, Governing Council

Pam has held a range of senior executive positions in Government regulation and in the tertiary education and training sector over the past 30 years. Pam has a great passion for changing lives through quality education and training and has driven major organisational, policy and regulatory reforms across a number of key leadership roles.

Pam’s strengths include driving organisational and cultural change and transforming organisations to be more customer-focused, efficient and commercially successful. She is highly accomplished in strategic leadership, innovation, advocacy and workforce reforms.

Pam is widely respected across Government and the tertiary education sector in Australia and internationally as an innovator and thought leader. Key achievements include forging partnerships across Governments, tertiary educational institutions, industry bodies and enterprises.

Pam has held the following positions:

  • Executive Director Industry Engagement and Communications Australian Aged Care Quality Agency
  • Senior Fellow LH Martin Institute
  • Executive Director Regulatory Operations ASQA
  • Managing Director TAFE NSW
  • Deputy Director General TAFE Department of Education and Communities.