A Study into the Prevalence and Impact of Racism in Australian Universities

Respect at Uni: Interim Report on Racism at Australian Universities

In December 2024, the Australian Human Rights Commission delivered an interim report for its Respect at Uni project to update the Australian Government on the project’s progress, highlighting pervasive racism experienced by both students and staff at Australian universities.

Commissioned by the Federal Government in May 2024, the study aims to address racism within the tertiary education sector. The interim findings reveal trends in racism, including increased antisemitism and Islamophobia, and structural discrimination, with significant impacts on wellbeing, participation, and performance.

Key Findings from the Interim Report:

First Nations Students and Staff: Indigenous participants report enduring structural and interpersonal racism, including undermining of their achievements by characterising them as “special treatment” rather than merit based. Limited understanding of historical and systemic discrimination remains a barrier to equity.

Jewish Students and Staff: Jewish students and staff cite a rise in antisemitism since October 2023, including extremist propaganda, intimidation, and exclusion. Concerns over safety were compounded by insufficient university responses.

Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Students and Staff: Participants described hostility, threats, and discriminatory practices, including restrictions on cultural expression and prayer spaces. Many feared academic repercussions for speaking out.

African and Asian Students and Staff: African students and staff frequently encountered severe racism, often feeling the need to moderate their natural ways of expressing themselves. Asian participants reported being stereotyped as high achieving but limited to specific academic disciplines.

International Students: Reports of exclusion, social isolation, and fears of visa repercussions were common. Many felt reduced, viewed as "cash cows" for universities.

Next Steps

The project’s next phase begins in January 2025, including focus groups and a comprehensive survey of students and staff nationwide. The final report, with recommendations for reform, is set to be delivered to the Australian Government in June 2025. 

For the full interim report visit: 

Background 

The Australian Human Rights Commission (Commission) is undertaking a groundbreaking study into the prevalence, nature, and impact of racism at universities, announced by the Department of Education in May 2024. 

All forms of racism will be addressed in this project. The antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism currently being seen on campuses, and systemic racist practices against First Nations student and staff will be considered. 

The study implements part of a key recommendation from the Australian Universities Accord Final Report. It is intended to be a first step in the design and development of a national, longitudinal approach to measuring and tracking racism in the tertiary sector. It also follows more than 20 years of research by the Commission and other organisations, which have recommended a comprehensive examination of systemic racist practices and behaviour at universities.  

Previous projects and research have highlighted the racism endured by Arab and Muslim students following the 9/11 terror attacks; the victimisation and exploitation of international students including during the pandemic, and the experiences of First Nations students and staff who are grossly under-represented and have often reported feeling culturally unsafe in the university environment. These instances of racism will be points of focus in this study. 

The study will be led by Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman. It will consult widely with students, staff, stakeholder groups, and education providers across the country.  

Rights on Campus 

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) protects people from unfair treatment, vilification, or harassment on the basis of their race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. These protections also extend to people because of their migrant status. These rights are applied evenly in all sections of Australian society, including at our universities. 

Students and staff have the right to feel safe on campus, and to flourish in an environment that has robust systems in place to maximise their chances to succeed.  

Study Summary 

The study will look to both understand and address systemic racist practices and behaviour at universities. It will deliver a series of recommendation to the Department as to how to racism in all its forms can be reduced at universities, and how more respectful and inclusive surroundings can be created for students and staff. 

The Commissioner will establish a reference group of respected leaders from racialised backgrounds, including First Nations, Jewish, Muslim, Asian, and other culturally and linguistically-diverse communities. They will also be reflective of the various cohorts across universities, from staff, students, international students and the Union. 

The approach of the study will be similar to the Commission’s landmark ‘Change the Course (2017)’ report into sexual assault and harassment at Australian universities. Using a trauma-informed approach, it will hear about the lived experiences of people of different backgrounds and beliefs. People’s testimonies will be anonymous and ensuring their welfare a key priority. Additional research will be undertaken to assess structural racial barriers. 

The Commission is now in the early phase of planning its approach to the study, determining its scope and working to refine its parameters, objectives and deliverables. 

How Can I Get Involved? 

To register your interest in taking part in this study, please contact universityracismstudy@humanrights.gov.au.  

Additional Reading 

• Download the Study Terms of Reference (PDF) 262KB or Study Terms of Reference (Word) 100KB
• Commission to lead historic anti-racism study into universities. 
• Learn more about the Race Discrimination Commissioner's work.