Governance  
 
 
 Australian Red Cross has a National Office, which oversees a number of national programs, and which represents the organisation in both national and international affairs. It also has nine Operating Divisions which comprise:
the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, which is responsible for the provision of quality blood products, tissues and related services

eight State and Territory Divisions responsible for service delivery, membership, and fundraising within their own geographical boundaries.

In order to ensure the effective management of the risks inherent in its activities, the Blood Service has nationally consistent policies and practices and its own Board, which reports to the Australian Red Cross Board within a framework of delegations.

Structure

The structure of Australian Red Cross consists of three levels:

Council

The Council usually meets once a year at the Annual General Meeting, and has up to 34 members elected from the Society in addition to the President of the Society. The membership is made up as follows:

28 voting members - the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, the Chairman of each of the eight State and Territory Divisional Boards, 16 Representatives taken from the States and Territories, and a Youth Representative

up to seven non-voting members - the President and up to six Vice Presidents.
The responsibilities of the Council are limited and include to receive reports and financial statements, elect or appoint members to the Red Cross Board, appoint auditors and to amend the Royal Charter and Rules (which are the equivalent of a Constitution).

Australian Red Cross Board

All National, State and Territory functions are principally governed by the Board.

The Board consists of 12 persons all of whom are also Members of the Council. The twelve people are four elected office bearers and a representative appointed from each of the Divisions, other than the Blood Service. In addition to these twelve members Council at the request of the Board, appointed two Additional Board Members who are members of the Board only. The Board meets at least 10 times per year.

The Board maintains relationships with both Australian Red Cross members and staff and external stakeholders with whom it meets on a regular basis.

Chief Executive Officer

The Board delegates day-to-day management of the affairs of Australian Red Cross to the CEO although certain local services and operations are the responsibility of the State and Territory Divisions of the Society.

The CEO manages these delegations through his senior managers consisting of the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director-Marketing Fundraising and Communications, and through the National Management Team. The CEO is accountable to the Board for implementation of the Strategic Plan and for the Board''s decisions, and for oversight of operational management according to the policy and systems which the Board establishes. He also provides advice and recommendations to Board, especially for the future directions of the organisation.

All members of the Council and Board are volunteers who freely donate their time, energy and professional expertise to Australian Red Cross.