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🎓 The Emergence of the Antisemitism Report Card System
Australian higher education is entering a new era of accountability with the introduction of an antisemitism report card system for universities. Leaked documents, obtained by major news outlets, outline a detailed framework for evaluating how institutions manage protests, encampments, and displays of flags or imagery that may contribute to antisemitic environments on campus. This initiative, led by Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, represents a direct response to rising concerns about antisemitism in universities, particularly intensified by pro-Palestine demonstrations following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
The system assigns grades from A to D across four priority areas, aiming to ensure campuses remain safe spaces for all students, especially Jewish students who have reported feeling increasingly unsafe. Emeritus Professor Greg Craven, former Vice-Chancellor of Australian Catholic University and a constitutional law expert, has been appointed to oversee the assessments. The process begins with Australia's prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, such as the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and Australian National University, with initial reports due by May 2026.
This development comes amid broader government efforts, including the establishment of a 12-month Antisemitism Education Taskforce chaired by prominent business leader David Gonski. Universities will be evaluated on their policies for campus access, rapid responses to disruptive activities, effective complaints mechanisms, mandatory antisemitism training for staff, and adoption of a standardized definition of antisemitism.
Background: Rising Antisemitism on Australian Campuses
Antisemitism, defined as hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jewish people, has seen a sharp increase in Australia since late 2023. Surveys conducted by organizations like the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) and the Australasian Union of Jewish Students highlight that Jewish students and staff frequently encounter harassment, vandalism, and intimidation during campus protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. For instance, prolonged pro-Palestine encampments at universities mirrored those in the United States, leading to weeks of disruption and reports of Jewish students avoiding classes or concealing their identity.
In February 2025, Australia's 39 universities collectively endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, which includes examples like denying the Jewish people's right to self-determination or applying double standards to Israel. This move followed a Senate inquiry and was praised by Jewish advocacy groups but criticized by some academics and student unions for potentially stifling free speech on Palestine.
The catalyst for fast-tracking the report card was the tragic Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, 2025—the deadliest in Australian history. During the first night of Chanukah, an antisemitic gunman targeted Jewish Australians, killing multiple victims and injuring others. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cited this event as underscoring the urgency, announcing accelerated implementation of Segal's July 2025 plan to combat antisemitism across society, with universities as a focal point.
Prior to this, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia's higher education regulator, had already begun urging vice-chancellors to strengthen responses to racism, including antisemitism, ahead of the 2026 academic year.
📊 Breaking Down the Grading Criteria
The leaked documents provide a clear blueprint for evaluation, structured around four priority areas. Independent assessors, working under Craven, will review university submissions and consult Jewish students, staff, and organizations like the ECAJ and Australasian Union of Jewish Students.
- Policy Settings for Campus Access: Universities must demonstrate robust regulations for outdoor protests, encampments, and displays of flags, imagery, or promotional materials that could foster hostility. This includes ensuring free access to campus grounds without intimidation.
- Rapid and Effective Responses: Institutions are graded on their ability to swiftly address incidents within campuses and buildings, preventing escalation and maintaining order while upholding free expression.
- Complaints Processes: Accessible, fair, and efficient mechanisms for reporting antisemitism, with transparent outcomes and follow-up actions.
- Training and Definition Adoption: Mandatory staff training using resources from approved providers, such as the Monash Initiative for Rapid Research into Antisemitism (MIRRA), and full integration of the IHRA or equivalent definition into policies.
Grading follows a tiered scale: A for exemplary performance with proactive commitments; B for solid efforts with minor gaps; C for basic structures needing improvement; and D for inadequate measures. Overall grades aggregate these, with non-compliance noted publicly. A second assessment round will track progress, culminating in a comprehensive report by 2027.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Strong performance across all areas with future commitments |
| B | Strong but identifiable gaps |
| C | Weak but with improvement plans |
| D | Inadequate attention to antisemitism |
For more on official appointments, see the Special Envoy's announcement on Professor Craven.
Stakeholder Reactions and Concerns
Responses to the report card vary widely. Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy has expressed willingness to cooperate, emphasizing ongoing efforts to enhance student safety. Go8 CEO Vicki Thomson called it a 'blunt instrument' for a complex issue but affirmed commitments to combat antisemitism.
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), led by Dr. Alison Barnes, voiced 'grave concerns' over Craven's impartiality, citing his past columns criticizing elite universities as 'elitist' and 'greedy.' Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi decried it as a 'draconian anti-protest crackdown' risking academic freedom.
Jewish groups largely support it. ECAJ's Simone Abel described antisemitism as 'entrenched and systemic' in some institutions, viewing sanctions like funding cuts as a last resort. Liat Granot of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students stressed that safety and free inquiry are compatible goals.
The government's adoption of Segal's plan, detailed in their official response, includes bolstering TEQSA powers and funding security at Jewish institutions.
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Implications for University Leadership and Students
This system pressures vice-chancellors to prioritize safety protocols. Universities may invest in advanced training programs, revise protest guidelines, and enhance grievance systems. For Jewish students, it promises measurable accountability; for others, it raises questions about balancing activism with civility.
Academics seeking roles in Australian higher education should note evolving campus climates. Explore opportunities via university jobs or higher ed jobs tailored to administration, faculty, and research positions Down Under.
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