Feedback rolls in as tens of thousands have their say about Racism@Uni
15 September 2025
The Commission is calling for university students and staff across the country to continue sharing their thoughts about racism at university by participating in a groundbreaking national survey before it closes on 23 September 2025.
Over 60,000 university students and staff have already completed the Racism@Uni survey, making it one of the largest studies of its kind ever undertaken in Australia. The Australian Human Rights Commission survey examines the prevalence, nature and impact of racism at Australian universities and gives students and staff an opportunity to drive real change in the sector.
Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman says: ‘This is a really unique and important opportunity for university students and staff to have their say and share their experiences of racism at university.’
‘As debates continue to intensify over race and equity in tertiary education, and more broadly in the community, it’s imperative people have their voices heard through studies like this.’
‘The more responses we get, the better we can understand racism at the tertiary level, and insights from students and staff can help affect real change to bring us one step closer to a future free of racism,’ said Commissioner Sivaraman.
All current students and staff 18 years and over at participating Australian universities have now been sent a link to the survey via their university email. The survey asks about experiences of racism and gives participants the opportunity to share which religious, ethnic, cultural and national origin group(s) they identify with through open-ended questions. Everybody is invited to participate, even if they haven’t experienced racism, and by completing the survey students and staff can go into a draw to win one of 50 gift vouchers.
The study was commissioned by the Australian Government last year, with Minister for Education Jason Clare saying: ‘There is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any type of racism in our universities, or anywhere else, and there is nothing more important than the safety of students and staff on campus.’
‘This study responds to a recommendation of the Universities Accord and will help to make our universities safer places for students and staff.’
The Commission engaged The Centre for Social Policy Research (POLIS) at the Australian National University to conduct the survey. The survey design will ensure that data is collected and interpreted in a fair and appropriate way. The survey has also been through multiple ethics approval processes to ensure participant safety and wellbeing, anonymity and confidentiality are preserved.
The full Racism@Uni study findings and recommendations are expected to be delivered to the Government in December 2025.
For more information on the Racism@Uni survey visit https://humanrights.gov.au/racismuni-survey
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