The chief executive officer of the University is the Vice-Chancellor. There are three Pro-Vice-Chancellors (located in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney) with delegated responsibility for assigned areas of University policy. Each Pro-Vice-Chancellor is the Vice-Chancellor's representative in the local region, as are the Rectors at Ballarat and Canberra.

The Vice-Chancellor is also assisted by the Executive Director, University Services, the Dean of Students, and seven Directors with national portfolios.

Each of the three Faculties is headed by a Dean, supported by a Deputy Dean.

Each campus has a Student Association. ACUNSA (Australian Catholic University National Students' Association) is an informal body of the University comprising the student member of Senate, the President of each Student Association. The role of ACUNSA is to assist in the communication of issues between Student Associations and the University and to facilitate the election of the student member of Senate.