The Australian Human Rights Commission has today released the final report of its national study into Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and the experience of First Nations people in the university sector.
The Albanese Government commissioned the Respect at uni report in response to a recommendation of the Universities Accord.
The study, led by Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman, examined the prevalence and impact of racism in universities and the report provides recommendations to ensure a safe environment for students and staff.
More than 76,000 students and staff across Australia contributed to the study.
The report finds that racism continues to occur in Australian universities and highlights the need for coordinated national action across the sector.
The report's recommendations include:
- establishing a national framework to address racism in universities;
- strengthening complaints processes and accountability; and
- improving support for students and staff who experience racism.
The Government will now consider the report's findings and recommendations as part of its broader higher education reform agenda.
This builds on the Albanese Government's reforms to strengthen student and staff protection and lift standards at universities, including:
- establishing the National Student Ombudsman to provide students with an independent body to raise concerns about a university's handling of a racism complaint;
- establishing a new set of University Governance Principles to strengthen accountability and transparency;
- strengthening the powers of the higher education regulator to step in and act where universities don't;
- Forming the Antisemitism Education Taskforce to ensure the education system prevents, tackles and properly responds to antisemitism;
- establishing a mandatory National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence; and
- strengthening the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) to ensure universities demonstrate a commitment to addressing racism.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
"There is no place for any form of racism in our universities or anywhere else.
"Universities aren't just places where people work and study, they are also places where people live, and we need to ensure they are safe and free from racism.
"When we announced this study, we said it would listen to students and staff and shine a light on their experiences. This report delivers that.
"I want to say thank you to Commissioner Sivaraman and the tens of thousands of students and staff who contributed to this landmark study.
"We'll now consider the report's recommendations.
"This builds on our existing reforms to help keep students safe and lift standards across the university sector."
