Racism ‘Deeply Embedded’ Across Australian Universities, Landmark Human Rights Report Says
A comprehensive national study has revealed racism is widespread and systemic across Australian universities, with thousands of students and staff reporting discrimination, exclusion and harm in academic settings.
The document is the largest investigation of its kind into racial discrimination on campus. It surveyed more than 76,000 students and university staff from 42 institutions nationwide and involved focus groups, policy audits and literature reviews.
The report showed that around 15% of participants reported having experienced direct interpersonal racism at university. Roughly 70% reported indirect racism, meaning witnessing or hearing racist conduct against others.
Jewish and Palestinian respondents reported the highest rates of racism, with more than 90% saying they had encountered discrimination, exclusion or hostility on campus. First Nations, African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Māori and Pasifika students and staff also experienced racism at significantly elevated levels.
Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said the findings show racism in universities is not limited to sporadic incidents but is “deeply embedded” in institutional culture and systems.
According to the report, racist behaviour ranges from overt slurs and hostile comments to discrimination embedded within university policies and practices that undermine the inclusion and wellbeing of marginalised groups.
Despite the high prevalence of racism, only a small fraction of those affected submitted formal complaints, citing low confidence in existing reporting systems and fear of retaliation.
The peak body representing vice-chancellors, Universities Australia, described the experiences shared by students and staff as “deeply troubling” and affirmed a pledge to working with the Human Rights Commission to address racism and improve campus safety and inclusion.
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