International education considerations in the Government's Eliminating Antisemitism response
The Australian Government has rolled out a series of measures to tackle racism and antisemitism in universities. New regulations, oversight bodies, and educational initiatives aim to create safer and more inclusive campuses across the country. The changes follow recommendations from experts and a push to strengthen existing safeguards.
A key step involves updating higher education regulations under Commonwealth law. Universities will now be legally required to address racism and implement clear policies against discrimination. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) will monitor compliance, with expanded powers to intervene when necessary. Its updated Statement of Regulatory Expectations on student grievances will take effect on 3 October 2025.
The Government has also established the Antisemitism Education Taskforce, chaired by David Gonski AC. This group includes representatives from schools, universities, and regulatory bodies, working to prevent antisemitism in education. Their role aligns with broader reforms, such as the Respect@Uni Study, led by Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman under the Australian Human Rights Commission. This study will examine discrimination on campuses and propose further actions.
For students facing racism or antisemitism, the National Student Ombudsman will now handle complaints directly. Meanwhile, the Minister for Home Affairs has gained new authority to refuse visas for individuals promoting hate or division. The Government’s full response to the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism has been published online, detailing these and other measures.
Internationally, similar efforts are underway. In 2024, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education formed the Expertengremium Antisemitismus an Hochschulen, a panel of Jewish leaders, university heads, and student representatives. Their goal is to integrate antisemitism prevention into broader university reforms.
The reforms introduce stricter oversight, clearer complaint processes, and targeted education programmes. TEQSA’s strengthened role and the new ombudsman service provide students with more support. At the same time, visa restrictions aim to prevent the spread of hate speech from entering the country. The combined measures signal a coordinated push to improve safety and accountability in higher education.
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