National Student Ombudsman Signals Reforms: Push for Higher Education Code to Enhance University Safety

National Student Ombudsman's Latest Signals: A Turning Point for Campus Safety

The National Student Ombudsman (NSO) in Australia has recently issued strong signals for deeper reforms in higher education, particularly emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Launched on February 1, 2025, the NSO serves as an independent body designed to handle escalated student complaints and drive systemic improvements across universities. In its first annual report covering February to June 2025, the office highlighted patterns in complaints that underscore persistent safety gaps, even as the Higher Education Code took effect on January 1, 2026. This push comes amid growing calls for universities to move beyond compliance toward proactive cultural shifts that prioritize student wellbeing.

Australia's higher education sector, home to over 1.6 million students including more than 589,000 international enrollees in recent years, has long grappled with issues of gender-based violence (GBV). Defined as any physical or non-physical violence or abuse rooted in gender that causes harm, control, or fear—encompassing sexual assault, harassment, stalking, emotional abuse, and more—GBV disrupts academic progress, mental health, and trust in institutions. The NSO's interventions are poised to enforce accountability, with early data revealing that 40% of complaints originated from international students, a proportion higher than their 33% share of the student population.

From Advocacy to Action: The Origins of the National Student Ombudsman

The establishment of the NSO stems from years of advocacy, catalyzed by landmark reports like the 2017 Australian Human Rights Commission's Change the Course inquiry and the 2021 National Student Safety Survey (NSSS). These revealed alarming prevalence: one in six students experiencing sexual harassment since commencing university, and one in 20 facing sexual assault. A subsequent survey by the National Tertiary Education Union noted a 53% rise in reported harassment incidents from 2018 levels.

Responding to these findings, the Australian Universities Accord Final Report and the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children prompted legislative action. The NSO, housed within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, began operations as the first independent national complaints mechanism for higher education students. Its mandate covers not just GBV but also course administration, teaching quality, misconduct, disability support, and facilities—areas where safety intersects with everyday student life. Unlike internal university processes, the NSO offers free, confidential access without requiring prior exhaustion of provider remedies if students feel unsafe.

Early engagements included over 250 stakeholder interactions, such as meetings with 31 vice-chancellors, positioning the NSO to influence policy at the highest levels. This foundation sets the stage for its reform signals, urging universities to adopt trauma-informed practices universally.

Insights from the NSO's Inaugural Annual Report: Complaint Trends Exposed

The NSO's 2024-25 Annual Report, covering its first five months, documented 1,791 contacts, including 1,470 formal complaints—resolved at a 33% rate with an average of 47 days. While GBV accounted for 2% (28 issues), primarily involving assaults during placements or harassment by staff, broader health and safety concerns reached 5% (88 issues), including bullying and threats. Dominant categories were course administration (33%), teaching and learning (19%), and academic misconduct (19%), often linked to welfare impacts.

Disproportionate representation emerged: international students filed 40% of complaints, First Nations students 2.22% (above their 1.48% population share), and 12% involved disability-related issues. Resolutions yielded tangible outcomes like debt waivers, policy revisions for trauma-informed GBV handling, staff training on neurodiversity, and streamlined refunds. Systemic recommendations focused on clearer communication, simplified appeals, and cultural sensitivity training.

These patterns signal the need for reforms extending the Higher Education Code's reach, as administrative hurdles exacerbate safety vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalized groups.

• Enhance early resolution for admin issues to prevent escalation.
• Implement mandatory trauma-informed training across all staff.
• Promote NSO awareness to empower reporting.

Unpacking the National Higher Education Code: Seven Standards for Safety

The cornerstone of these reforms, the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, mandates compliance for all Table A and B providers from January 1, 2026 (non-unis by 2027). Enforced by the new Higher Education Gender-based Violence (GBV) Regulator, it outlines seven standards to foster physically, psychologically, emotionally, and culturally safe environments.

1. Accountable leadership and governance: Vice-chancellors and boards must publish organization-wide prevention plans.
2. Safe environments and systems: Policies for risk management, including staff-student relationship prohibitions and pre-employment checks.
3. Knowledge and capability: Mandatory education on GBV for students, staff, and leaders.
4. Safety and support: Dedicated navigators and accessible services like counseling and academic adjustments.
5. Safe processes: Trauma-informed investigations concluding within 45 business days.
6. Data, evidence, and impact: De-identified reporting to measure effectiveness.
7. Safe student accommodation: Security measures for affiliated housing.

The NSO's push amplifies this by linking complaints to Code breaches, recommending binding actions for non-compliance. For instance, failures in support post-disclosure now trigger investigations. Learn more about the Code standards.

The GBV Regulator: Enforcing Accountability in Real Time

Operational since January 2026, the GBV Regulator within the Department of Education wields powers like compliance notices, civil penalties, and public naming. It collaborates with the NSO, which refers GBV mishandling cases, ensuring a dual oversight layer. Early focus: partnering with providers for best practices while addressing high-risk non-compliance.

This mechanism addresses past self-regulation pitfalls, where reputational fears stifled reporting. Quotes from officials underscore urgency: “Higher education providers have a unique opportunity to drive cultural change,” highlighting GBV's toll on achievement and trust. Universities must now integrate prevention into study, work, and social spheres.

For students navigating these changes, resources like the career advice for safe academic environments can provide additional support.

Persistent GBV Statistics: Why Reforms Cannot Wait

Despite progress, NSSS data persists: 13.5% of students faced sexual harassment since enrollment, 5.8% in the past year alone. International students, comprising 40% of NSO complaints, face amplified risks from visa pressures and isolation. A 2026 NSSS iteration, coordinated with NSO input, promises updated benchmarks.

Real-world impacts include disrupted studies, mental health crises, and dropout rates. Vulnerable cohorts—women, LGBTQIA+ students, and cultural minorities—bear the brunt, with placements and accommodation hotspots for incidents.

Case Studies: NSO Interventions in Action

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) faces NSO scrutiny over alleged failures in sexual harm responses, exemplifying enforcement. Other cases involved GBV during placements, where providers neglected counseling or investigations. Resolutions included policy overhauls, like 48-hour refund protocols and de-escalation training.

International student complaints highlighted visa-threatened delays in special consideration, prompting appeals process simplifications. These illustrate the NSO's restorative approaches—conciliation and engagement—yielding apologies, accommodations, and preventive changes.

Exploring Rate My Professor can help students gauge campus cultures informed by these reforms.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Unity Amid Challenges

Education Minister Jason Clare noted, “For too long, students haven’t been heard.” Universities Australia praises NSO-NS SS coordination, while student unions advocate expanded scope. Providers report receptivity to training, but concerns linger over resources and administrative burdens.

International education peaks amplify needs, as visa-dependent students hesitate to report. Balanced views emphasize collaboration: NSO's data-driven insights foster best practices without punitive overreach.

Implementation Hurdles and Solutions Ahead

Challenges include staff training gaps (40% infrequently trained), complex processes deterring reports, and data privacy in evaluations. Solutions: phased rollouts, sector-wide toolkits, and NSO guidance. Future 2026-27 budgets must fund scalability.

Photo by bruce ma on Unsplash

• Risk-based regulation to minimize burdens.
• Cross-agency referrals for holistic support.
• Annual audits tied to funding.

Future Outlook: A Safer Higher Education Landscape

With bipartisan backing, these reforms promise enduring change. The NSO's complaint trends will refine the Code, targeting zero-tolerance cultures. Students benefit from empowered voices, universities from reputational gains, and Australia from global leadership in campus safety.

Prospective academics can find opportunities in evolving institutions via higher ed jobs, university jobs, or Australian listings. For career navigation, check higher ed career advice.

As the 2026 NSSS approaches, expect data validating progress—or spurring further pushes. Engaging now ensures safer tomorrows.