Australian Universities to Be Graded on Handling Antisemitism and Campus Protests

The Surge in Antisemitism on Australian Campuses

Since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, Australian universities have witnessed a dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents, transforming what were once bastions of open discourse into sites of tension and fear for Jewish students and staff. Reports from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) indicate that antisemitic incidents surged more than threefold, averaging 1,858 per year in the two years following the event.4044 Jewish students have reported hiding their identities, facing verbal abuse, vandalism, and intimidation during pro-Palestine rallies. A survey of Jewish students and staff rated their universities' responses to antisemitism between 0 and 3 out of 10 by 60% of respondents, highlighting a perceived failure in protection and action.15

This rise prompted multiple inquiries, including a parliamentary joint committee investigation that found universities' handling of complaints inadequate, urging better training, transparency, and regulatory oversight.

Pro-Palestine Protests and Encampments: Flashpoints for Conflict

Pro-Palestine protests, inspired by similar actions in the US and UK, erupted across Australian campuses in 2024. Encampments at the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales (UNSW), and Australian National University (ANU) featured tents, chants, and flags that some viewed as crossing into antisemitism. At Sydney University, protesters locked in activists led to negotiations, while an ANU student was expelled after publicly stating Hamas deserved full support on national radio.682 Incidents included graffiti, threats, and doxxing of Jewish students, with police sometimes standing by during rallies chanting slogans deemed antisemitic by critics.

Universities struggled to balance free speech with safety, issuing statements condemning racism while facing accusations of leniency. The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) expressed solidarity with peaceful protests but called for critical review of antisemitism definitions impacting academic freedom.

Parliamentary Inquiry Sparks Calls for Accountability

In February 2025, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights released its inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities, documenting a 'disturbing prevalence' that left Jewish community members feeling unsafe. Recommendations included vice-chancellors meeting Jewish groups, simplifying complaints processes, adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism—where antisemitism is 'a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews'—and enhancing Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) powers.6928

• Publish de-identified complaint reports regularly.
• Provide mandatory training for staff and students.
• Monitor implementation with potential judicial inquiry if insufficient.

The report emphasized that inaction risked social cohesion in higher education.

All 39 Universities Adopt IHRA-Inspired Definition

Responding to senate pressure, Australia's 39 universities, led by the Group of Eight (Go8), endorsed a unified antisemitism statement in February 2025. This definition, consulted with Special Envoy Jillian Segal and Jewish groups, bans calling for Israel's elimination as potentially antisemitic and will be enforced campus-wide. Critics like Amnesty International argued it stifles free speech, assembly, and protest, creating double standards amid rising Islamophobia.24

Go8 CEO Vicki Thomson noted it balances safety and inquiry, but unions worried about chilling pro-Palestine activism.

Jillian Segal's Comprehensive Plan to Combat Antisemitism

Appointed in 2024, Special Envoy Jillian Segal delivered her July 2025 plan, warning antisemitism had become 'normalised' in academia. Key proposals: screen visa applicants for antisemitic views, deport non-citizens involved, and hold institutions accountable via funding conditions. For universities, it introduced the 'report card' to grade efforts against hate, with funding withheld for failures.7071

The plan followed arson attacks on synagogues and assaults, urging a push to society's margins.

Unveiling the University Antisemitism Report Card System

The centerpiece is the independent report card, grading universities A to D, starting with Go8 by May 2026. Fast-tracked post-Bondi terror attack, it assesses how well institutions 'deal with' protests, encampments, and displays of flags or imagery. Led by constitutional lawyer Greg Craven, former Australian Catholic University vice-chancellor, who criticized elite unis for minimizing antisemitism.71

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed collaboration with Segal, strengthening TEQSA penalties.

Detailed Grading Criteria and Processes

Four priority areas:

• Policies on campus access, regulating protests, encampments, flags/imagery.
• Rapid, effective responses to unauthorized activities.
• Robust complaints processes and antisemitism training.
• Adoption and enforcement of antisemitism definition.

TEQSA is emailing vice-chancellors pre-Orientation Week for compliance.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Support, Criticism, and Concerns

Jewish groups like Australasian Union of Jewish Students and ECAJ welcome accountability, viewing antisemitism as 'entrenched'. Universities Australia cooperates but Go8 calls report card 'blunt', fearing funding cuts harm safety efforts. NTEU questions Craven's impartiality; Greens' Mehreen Faruqi decries it as 'draconian' anti-protest measure.71

Implications: Funding Risks and TEQSA Empowerment

No direct confirmation of cuts, but Segal's plan ties funding to performance. TEQSA gains powers for student wellbeing enforcement. A 12-month taskforce chaired by David Gonski implements reforms.71 For academics seeking roles amid changes, explore higher ed jobs or Australian university positions.

Towards Safer Campuses: Training, Research, and Solutions

Solutions include IHRA training, research centers like Monash's, and National Student Ombudsman. Universities must foster inclusion without stifling debate. For career advice in this climate, check higher ed career advice.

Photo by Karl Hedin on Unsplash

Future Outlook for Australian Higher Education

As grading begins, expect improved responses but debates on free speech. Positive steps like taskforces signal commitment. Explore rate my professor, university jobs, and higher ed jobs for opportunities in evolving sector.