Universities face tougher governance and anti-racism standards

Australian universities will be required to meet tougher governance, transparency and anti-racism standards from Monday under reforms that will see institutions publicly report on executive pay, consultancy spending and key governance decisions.

The Albanese Government has amended the Higher Education Standards Framework to incorporate new University Governance Principles and introduced a new standard requiring universities to prevent and respond to racism, following concerns about governance and campus safety.

Universities, which receive more than $22 billion in public funding each year, will be expected to report annually to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) against the governance principles on an “if not why not” basis.

The new governance framework sets expectations across eight areas, including accountability, transparency, independence, diversity of perspectives, ethical conduct, sustainability and responsible workforce management.

Public universities will also be required to publish the outcomes of governing body meetings, consultancy spending and its purpose, external roles held by vice-chancellors and senior executives, and annual remuneration reports, including vice-chancellors’ pay.

Education Minister Jason Clare said the changes responded to concerns that had emerged across the sector.

“Anyone who doesn’t think there have been some challenges in university governance has been living under a rock,” Mr Clare said, adding, “This is about making sure our universities meet the standards their students, staff and whole communities expect.”

Alongside the governance reforms, universities and other higher education providers must comply with a new anti-racism standard requiring them to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students and staff.

Institutions will be required to adopt definitions covering antisemitism, racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Islamophobia. They must also establish transparent complaints processes, support representation in decision making, and provide guidance to students and staff on actions that improve safety on campus and online.

Mr Clare said the changes formed part of measures announced last December to combat antisemitism and reflected recommendations made in the Respect at Uni report into racism at universities.

“There is no place for antisemitism or any type of hate in our universities or anywhere else,” he said. “We announced this standard on 18 December as part of the Plan to Combat Antisemitism. It was also a recommendation of the Respect at Uni report into racism at universities. Unis will have to act to prevent racism and respond when it happens.”

Universities Australia welcomed the new standards, saying the sector had worked with the government throughout their development and was committed to supporting their implementation.

Chief executive Luke Sheehy said universities supported the anti-racism measures and had already taken steps to strengthen their response to discrimination across campuses.

“There is no place for racism, discrimination or hate in Australia’s universities. Every student and every member of staff deserves to feel safe, respected and able to participate fully in university life, regardless of their race, religion or background,” Mr Sheehy said.

He said Universities Australia had endorsed a definition of antisemitism last year and had called for it to be incorporated into the Higher Education Standards Framework. “Today’s announcement gives effect to that approach,” he said.

Mr Sheehy said the sector had worked with the government, the Antisemitism Education Taskforce, the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism and the Australian Human Rights Commission to strengthen how universities prevent and respond to racism.

He said universities had also coordinated a national response to the Human Rights Commission’s Respect at Uni report and would continue working to improve campus culture.

“Our sector has made significant progress, but we know the job isn’t finished. We will continue working with government and our partners to build university communities where racism has no place and everyone feels safe, respected and able to participate fully,” he said.

Mr Sheehy also backed the governance reforms, saying, “We also support the new governance standard. Strong governance, accountability and transparency underpin public trust and are fundamental to delivering world-class education and research.”

TEQSA will work with universities to develop guidance on how the new standards will operate in practice.

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