Australian universities will be forced to adopt definitions of three types of racism amid a fresh wave of governance obligations imposed on the sector.
New rules will require universities to separately define antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism against indigenous Australians as part of broader efforts to “maintain safe and inclusive” environments for students and staff.
Education minister Jason Clare said a “new anti-racism standard” would compel administrators to develop transparent complaints processes and “enable representation and participation in decision making”.
Universities will also have to “provide clear guidance” to students and staff on how to improve safety and security on campus and online. Failure to comply could lead to court action and fines, pending forthcoming legislation empowering the higher education regulator to fine institutions directly.
The new standard was foreshadowed following last December’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. It becomes law as eight new governance “principles”, also foreshadowed last year, are incorporated into the higher education standards by which universities and colleges are regulated.
