Commission launches landmark survey about racism at universities

The biggest survey ever to examine the prevalence, nature and impact of racism at Australian universities is set to provide key insights for addressing racism on university campuses and in online environments.

Launching next week, the national online survey is part of the Racism@Uni study led by the Australian Human Rights Commission. The survey will ask university students and staff across the country about experiences of racism.

Race Discrimination Commissioner, Giridharan Sivaraman said: ‘This is a historic and timely opportunity to take a deep look at how racism manifests in university spaces, and how it's navigated by staff and students.

‘Every university student and staff member deserves to feel safe in their place of study or work, and this is a chance for them to be heard.

‘The findings of the survey will be instrumental in informing recommendations to the Australian Government and Australia's universities to help them deliver safe and racism-free learning and working environments.'

All current staff and students 18 years and over at participating Australian universities will be invited to take part in the survey via their university email account. Participation in the survey will be anonymous, and is encouraged for all, whether people have experienced racism or not. The survey will be deployed in the week commencing 11 August, and students and staff who complete the survey can go into a draw to win one of 50 gift vouchers.

The Commission has engaged The Centre for Social Policy Research (POLIS) at the Australian National University to conduct the survey, which will include questions about experiences and impacts of interpersonal and structural racism, as well as witnessing racism. Study findings and recommendations are expected to be delivered to the Government in December 2025.

The Racism@Uni study, commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Education, comprises four parts including focus groups, a policy audit, a literature review and the survey.

In 2024 the Commission delivered an interim report to the Australian Government for the Racism@Uni project. Initial findings revealed that both interpersonal and structural racism are pervasive and deeply entrenched in Australian universities.

Find out more about the Racism@Uni study here.

ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897