From 1 January 2027, all Australian universities will be legally required to adopt an anti-racism standard that includes definitions of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The standard, published on Monday, is designed to combat systemic discrimination on campuses and will be enforced by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), which can impose fines, conditions, or even cancel a university's registration.
Details of the Anti-Racism Standard
Under the standard, universities must adopt their own definitions for these forms of racism, create a transparent complaints process, and issue guidance to students and staff. Notably, institutions are not forced to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which has been controversial due to concerns it could stifle criticism of Israel. Instead, they may use definitions like the one adopted by Universities Australia last year, which states that criticism of the Israeli government is not necessarily antisemitic unless it relies on harmful tropes or stereotypes.
The standard stems from the federal government's antisemitism plan after the Bondi massacre and a recommendation from the Human Rights Commission's Respect at Uni report, which found racism was systemic on campuses. The report documented incidents including Palestinian students mocked with shouts of "terrorism", First Nations students compared to "petrol sniffers", and Jewish students fearing to attend class.
Governance Standards and Enforcement
Separate governance standards will also become enforceable, requiring public universities to publish vice-chancellor salaries, consultant spending, and board meeting outcomes. These governance rules apply to public universities from 1 January 2027 and private universities from 1 July 2027. TEQSA will enforce compliance, and the government plans to introduce laws to strengthen the regulator's powers. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said TEQSA currently "has a sledgehammer and a feather, but not much in between."
Royal Commission Hearings
This week, university chiefs, academics, and students will give evidence at the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion. Witnesses include Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Krester and Josh Keller from the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism. Minister Clare told Sky News he expects "pretty horrific evidence" from Jewish students detailing abuse, intimidation, and harassment on campuses. He acknowledged that universities were "caught flat footed" but have made some improvements, adding, "There's a lot more to do."
Background and Compliance Deadline
An audit by Emeritus Professor Greg Craven for antisemitism envoy Jillian Segal found no university properly adopting the sector-wide definition, prompting calls for stricter enforcement. Clare stated, "There is no place for antisemitism or any type of hate in our universities or anywhere else. Unis will have to act to prevent racism and respond when it happens." All universities must adopt the anti-racism standard by 1 January 2027.
