Australian laws support a positive international student experience. These laws help ensure that you have access to:
- high quality courses
- employment protections when working and studying in Australia
- fair treatment when buying any goods or services.
Further protections have now been put in place
From January 2026, by law, Australian universities must take practical steps to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, on and off campus.
What your education provider will do:
- If you are studying with a higher education provider, you can expect them to:
- Create and promote safe, inclusive campuses and student accommodation.
- Provide information and support that’s easy to find and understand.
- Offer prevention training and education for students and staff.
- Give clear instructions on how to report an incident
- Handle reports safely, quickly and fairly with trauma-informed processes.
- Make sure all procedures support your wellbeing and privacy.
These changes apply now to universities and will also be required from 1 January 2027 for non-university higher education providers.
Understanding gender-based violence
Gender-based violence is any form of physical or non-physical violence or abuse against someone, based on their gender, that harms, controls, or causes fear.
It can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, financial or cyber abuse, and may include stalking or monitoring, as well as family and domestic violence.
It can affect anyone and have serious impacts on their wellbeing and study.
Under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, universities must take action when gender-based violence is experienced or engaged in by students or staff. This would include, for example, in a lecture or tutorial, at university sports events, while undertaking research or doing practical course placements.
If you need help
You can find a wide range of student support and wellbeing services through your provider’s website or student portal.
For confidential support, anyone in Australia can contact 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, the number to call in Australia is triple zero (000).
Learn more
Find out more about the new National Code at the Department of Education's Study Assist website.
If you have a concern about how your provider is supporting you or handles a report or complaint, you can contact the National Student Ombudsman for free, confidential and independent assistance to help resolve complaints about your provider..
Your safety matters and you are supported when you study in Australia.