Bill
Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025
passed, as at 2025-08-28. Education portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Education
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2025-07-23
- second reading — 2025-07-23
- second reading — 2025-07-28
- second reading — 2025-07-29
- second reading — 2025-07-31
- second reading — 2025-07-31
- third reading — 2025-07-31
- introduced — 2025-07-31
- second reading — 2025-08-25
- second reading — 2025-08-25
- second reading — 2025-08-25
- third reading — 2025-08-25
- passed — 2025-08-25
- royal assent — 2025-08-28
Divisions
- The majority voted against an amendment to the usual second reading motion, which is "*that the bill be read a second time*" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). This amendment was introduced by Tasmanian Senator [Jonathon Duniam](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/jonathon_duniam) (Liberal). ### Amendment text > *At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate urges the Government to establish an additional National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Anti-Semitism, which:* > > *(a) makes it clear to all higher education students, staff and providers that everyone on a higher education campus has a right to be safe;* > > *(b) imposes on universities a range of obligations concerning student and staff safety which is very important given the alarming increase in anti-Semitic incidents on university campuses since 7 October 2023; and* > > *(c) ensures that higher education providers must comply with recommendations of the National Student Ombudsman concerning the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Anti-Semitism".* — 2025-07-31, Senate: negative, ayes 25, noes 33
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/?id=2025-08-25.124.2) to the usual second reading amendment, which is "*that the bill be read a second time*" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). The amendment was introduced by Berowra MP [Julian Leeser](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/representatives/berowra/julian_leeser) (Liberal). ### Amendment text > *That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:* > > *"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House urges the Government to establish an additional National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Antisemitism, which:* > >> *(1) makes it clear to all higher education students, staff and providers that everyone on a higher education campus has a right to be safe;* >> >> *(2) imposes on universities a range of obligations concerning student and staff safety which is very important given the alarming increase in antisemitic incidents on university campuses since 7 October 2023; and* >> >> *(3) ensures that higher education providers must comply with recommendations of the National Student Ombudsman concerning the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Antisemitism".* — 2025-08-25, House of Representatives: negative, ayes 46, noes 87
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2025-07-23.
This bill is part of a package that creates a new regulatory framework to reduce gender-based violence in higher education and hold providers accountable.
The bill would let the minister make a National Code setting standards for safety, prevention, response and governance, enforced by a new specialist unit in the Department of Education.
The Secretary could publicly disclose a provider's compliance record and share information with other regulators.
- Establishes a standalone regulatory framework for preventing and responding to gender-based violence in higher education.
- Gives the minister power to create a National Code as a legislative instrument.
- Creates a specialist gender-based violence unit within the Department of Education.
- Gives the Secretary monitoring, investigation and enforcement powers including compliance notices and civil penalties.
- Allows the Secretary to disclose compliance information publicly.
- Requires annual reporting on the unit's operations to Parliament.
Higher education providers, their staff and students, and the Department of Education.
Sources
em
billhome
frl act