Janine Sala| Bachelor of Commerce

Janine began her career at Ernst & Young in the audit division in 1991, where she completed her Chartered Accounting qualification. “It was tough,” she recalls. “We had to go into workshops with prepared answers and compete in group settings. You were evaluated on your ability to distinguish yourself and make an impact. It was like the Hunger Games.” Janine spent four years at E&Y before moving into industry.

Eager to gain business experience, she took up a role as Finance Manager at Blockbuster Music before holding several positions as Business Manager and Finance Manager across various sectors. At Disney Entertainment’s Australasian arm, she worked regionally and travelled to Disneyland in California, Singapore and Hong Kong.

In 2006, Janine joined the University of Melbourne as Team Leader of the Client Services Accountants team. After two years, she left to pursue other opportunities, returning in 2010 to the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences as a Management Accountant. She has now been with the Faculty for over 15 years, holding several leadership roles across finance and operations, including Associate Director of Finance and Associate Director of Resources and Planning. She also served as School Manager for the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences from 2017 to 2020.

Janine is now Department and Precinct Manager at the Melbourne Medical School at Austin Hospital, where she leads operational strategy aligned with the Faculty’s Advancing Health and Advancing Medicine priorities. Her work supports medical research, academic leadership, clinical partnerships and student outcomes.

The University is a huge and complex organisation, but what motivates me is contributing to something bigger, aligning strategy with purpose and supporting the people who are advancing health outcomes.

Janine regularly volunteers as an interviewer for prospective MD students and serves on the Audit and Risk Committee for Melbourne Teaching Health Clinics. She is a supporter of The Elephant Circle, a women-led reproductive justice initiative, and is a strong advocate for inclusive, future-focused workplaces.

"The next generation prioritises diversity and expects us to adapt. AI, technology and social change are reshaping how we teach, learn, research and lead, and we need to be ready for that."

In 2022, Janine represented the University at the Garma Festival in Northeast Arnhem Land as part of the University's Staff Volunteer Program. Travelling with three colleagues to Gulkala, she assisted with festival logistics, speaker coordination and documentation at the Key Forum.

"To witness Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commit to enshrining a Voice to Parliament in that setting, it was such a historic moment, and I felt incredibly privileged to be part of it."

Grateful to the mentors who helped shape her journey, Janine remains driven by purpose. "I recognise the privilege of opportunity, and I want to give back by making a meaningful contribution to my team, to the University, and to the communities we serve."

Grateful to the mentors who helped shape her journey, Janine remains driven by purpose. "I recognise the privilege of opportunity, and I want to give back by making a meaningful contribution to my team, to the University, and to the communities we serve."