Educational Institutes

Safeguarding in Higher Education

Research shows that one in six university students in Australia have experienced sexual harassment and one in twenty have experienced sexual assault since starting university, and many students who reported felt they were not heard. In response, the Australian Government has moved the higher education sector from voluntary initiatives to enforceable standards.

The National Student Ombudsman was established to receive and investigate complaints from current, former and prospective students about their higher education provider, including complaints about gender-based violence, student safety and wellbeing, disciplinary processes and course administration. The Ombudsman has investigative powers and providers must comply with its recommendations. Read more about the National Student Ombudsman.

The National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence requires higher education providers to take evidence-based steps to prevent gender-based violence, train staff and students, ensure staff can support victim-survivors, and maintain robust reporting and response procedures. The Code applies to universities from 1 January 2026, with other registered higher education providers joining from 1 January 2027, and non-compliance can result in significant penalties.

Educational institutes are also employers with obligations to provide a safe workplace and to investigate complaints of sexual harassment and misconduct involving staff. Institutions that enrol students under 18, including international students, or deliver programs to children may also have Child Safe Standards, Working with Children Check and mandatory reporting obligations.