SUPRA is the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association at the University of Sydney. Founded in 1970, the overriding objective of the Association is to further the interests of postgraduate students within and outside the University. The Association is managed by students who are annually elected by the student body. With a budget of $1.6 million for the financial year 2017-2018, SUPRA secures the interests of postgraduate students by performing three fundamental functions. Firstly, SUPRA represents the views of the students at high level governing bodies of the University. SUPRA has direct access to the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors and all other senior executives of the University. This ensures that SUPRA is able to positively influence change and ensure that postgraduate interests are secured. Secondly, SUPRA hires a team of professional staff members whose sole purpose of employment is to provide students with advise and support so that they can pursue their studies smoothly. Students can seek advise on any matter, both academic or personal, that has been or can impact their studies, this includes free legal advise and representation. Thirdly, SUPRA focuses on building and developing the postgraduate community by holding regular social events for the constituency. These social events can be accessed by all postgraduate students and serve two purposes. Firstly, they allow different members of the community to meet, interact and network with one another. Secondly, this space is used by the SUPRA Executive to meet with fellow students and therefore inform the representation that they do in the University. All the services outlined above are free to all postgraduate students of the University and all services are by professional staff members who are independent of the University.