• Section 1 - Purpose
• Background
• Scope
• Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians
• Section 2 - Policy
• Responsibilities
• No Tolerance for Adverse and Unlawful Behaviour
• Complaints about Adverse Behaviour
• Support provided by the University
• Review of this Policy
• Section 3 - Procedure
• Section 4 - Guidelines
• Section 5 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy outlines:

1. the University’s position on Racism (including Anti-Indigenous Racism, Antisemitism and Islamophobia), Discrimination, Vilification, Bullying and Harassment (together, referred as Adverse Behaviour in this Policy);
2. the University’s requirements for the conduct of the University, the University Community and Visitors to act cooperatively to eliminate Adverse Behaviour from University Activities and from University Land;
3. how the University will seek to prevent and respond to complaints about Adverse Behaviour to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for staff, students and Visitors;
4. how complaints about Adverse Behaviour may be made and how the University will respond to complaints; and
5. how this Policy will be periodically reviewed in consultation with students and staff.

Background

(2) Macquarie University (the University) seeks to promote a culture of inclusion, respect and belonging and has articulated and committed to four University Values: Collective Ambition, Bold Innovation, Purposeful Collaboration and Genuine Care.

(3) Adverse Behaviour may have a harmful impact on student, staff, and Visitor safety, wellbeing, and experience. It may also have a negative impact on the University’s overall culture, performance and reputation. Adverse Behaviour may also be unlawful.

(4) The safety of students, staff and Visitors is the utmost priority of the University. The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 NSW (WHS Act), Discrimination Laws and the Higher Education Standards (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Threshold Standards) each require the University to ensure its campuses are safe places of learning and work. The University always acts immediately to meet its obligations under applicable laws.

(5) On 13 July 2026, the Minister for Education implemented binding standards that require the University to have definitions of racism including definitions relating to racism towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Antisemitism and Islamophobia.

(6) On [XX XX 2026] the University Council resolved to adopt the:

1. Council Commitment; and
2. definitions of Racism, Anti-Indigenous Racism, Antisemitism and Islamophobia contained in this Policy, and required that the definitions be incorporated consistently through all relevant University documents and practices.

Scope

(7) This Policy applies to:

1. the conduct of University Activities by all members of the University Community;
2. the conduct of Visitors while accessing or using University Land or engaging with University Activities; and
3. conduct within clause 7(a) and (b) that is carried out using technology including online or social media.

(8) This Policy must be read in conjunction with other policies and procedures of the University as well as other instruments that may apply to Adverse Behaviour including:

1. the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy;
2. the Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Policy and Gender-based Violence Investigation Procedure;
3. the Student Code of Conduct;
4. the Staff Code of Conduct;
5. the Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Policy; and
6. applicable Enterprise Agreements.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

(9) The University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land from which the University operates, the Wallumattagal people of the Dharug Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, to the ancestors and their knowledges, which are embodied within and throughout Country.

(10) The University’s commitment to Indigenous inclusion and empowerment is set out in the Macquarie University Indigenous Strategy 2026 – 2030.

Section 2 - Policy

(11) The University:

1. rejects all forms of Racism including:
   1. Anti-Indigenous Racism;
   2. Antisemitism;
   3. Islamophobia.
2. rejects all forms of Discrimination and Vilification;
3. rejects all forms of Bullying and Harassment;
4. acknowledges the impact on individuals and communities from each of the above forms of Adverse Behaviour;
5. has implemented this Policy to create a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment free from Adverse Behaviour;
6. will take prompt and appropriate action in response to concerns about Adverse Behaviour; and
7. encourages any member of the University Community or any Visitor who considers they have experienced or seen Adverse Behaviour to raise their concerns through the University’s complaints processes.  

(12) The University requires the conduct of all members of the University Community and Visitors to conform with the University’s commitments outlined in this Policy.

Responsibilities

(13) It is the shared responsibility of the University, the University Community and Visitors to prevent and combat Adverse Behaviour wherever it may arise in connection with University Activities or on University Land.

(14) University leaders will support the effective operation of this Policy including:

1. the prompt and fair investigation of complaints;
2. the taking of appropriate action to ensure a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment free from Adverse Behaviour; and
3. taking appropriate preventative action by raising awareness and cross-cultural competence through relevant policies and programs.

(15) Staff have responsibilities to meet University requirements for their conduct as stated in this Policy and under the Staff Code of Conduct.

(16) Students have responsibilities to meet the University requirements for their conduct as stated in this Policy and under the Student Code of Conduct.

(17) Visitors have responsibilities to meet the University requirements for their conduct as stated in this Policy.

(18) The University has obligations under the WHS Act to ensure the health and safety of all people on our campuses. Students, staff and Visitors have specific obligations under the WHS Act to:

1. take reasonable care for their own health and safety;
2. take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others (including the psychosocial safety of others); and
3. comply, so far as they are reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the University to comply with this legislation.

No Tolerance for Adverse and Unlawful Behaviour

(19) Consistent with its commitments in this Policy, the University’s legal obligations and its requirements for the conduct of students, staff and Visitors the University:

1. does not tolerate Adverse Behaviour;
2. requires members of the University Community and Visitors to conduct themselves in a manner that conforms with the requirements of this Policy; and
3. will act promptly in response to complaints or concerns about Adverse Behaviour and take appropriate action where a breach of a University policy or law is identified.

(20) Breaches of this Policy may be referred to the Police or other regulatory authorities where the breach may also amount to a breach of a law.

(21) For the avoidance of doubt, the University may determine there has been a breach of this Policy or other relevant policies of the University (including the Student Code of Conduct or the Staff Code of Conduct) without a determination by a Court or Tribunal that conduct is unlawful.

Complaints about Adverse Behaviour

(22) The University acknowledges that accessible, fair and simple avenues for the raising of complaints support the University’s commitments in this Policy.

(23) Complaints about Adverse Behaviour can be raised through the central portal for complaints on the University’s website – [link to revised central complaints page once operational].

(24) Detailed information about the complaints process can also be found in the following procedures:

1. Students – under the Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public.
2. Staff – under the Complaint Management Procedure for Staff.
3. Visitors – under the Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public.
4. Members of the Public - under the Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public.

(25) Each of the procedures referred to in clause 24 include provisions relating to how complaints will be managed by the University (including timing and the provision of information).

(26) To mitigate the effects of Adverse Behaviour raised with the University, the University:

1. may implement appropriate and proportionate interim measures (whether or not a complaint has been lodged and whether or not an investigation has commenced) to mitigate against risks to the safety of any person;
2. will take seriously and deal promptly and effectively with allegations of Adverse Behaviour made by members of the University Community or Visitors; and
3. will not tolerate victimisation of a person who makes an allegation of Adverse Behaviour.

(27) The University will monitor and record the number and nature of complaints of Adverse Behaviour, the action taken by the University and developments in best practice or government policy and:

1. will identify and address ways Adverse Behaviour may be manifesting across the University Activities or on University Land, including identifying any patterns and areas of concern, systematic issues or emerging risk;
2. will regularly publish in its annual reports and on its website  de-identified information about the prevalence and nature of Adverse Behaviour reported to the University and the actions taken by the University; and
3. based on information about Adverse Behaviour, will develop prevention strategies including education, awareness-raising and the provision of guidance and information.

Support provided by the University

(28) The University commits to the following to support the effective operation of this Policy:

1. the development and delivery of prevention strategies including education, awareness-raising and the provision of guidance and information to promote respectful conduct and make clear the requirements and processes of this Policy;
2. the provision of support to students through the Student Advocacy team as a source of free, confidential and independent information and advice about University policies and procedures, and
3. the provision of support to staff through the Employee Assistance Program.

Review of this Policy

(29)  Subject to clause 30, the University will review the content and operation of this Policy not less than every 3 years and will conduct each review:

1. to ensure the Policy:
   1. reflects best practice and remains accessible, easy to navigate and promotes cultural safety;
   2. aligns with the University’s strategic commitments; and
   3. remains effective for the requirements of the University Community, Visitors and the broader community within which the University operates.
2. in consultation with students and staff, including those with lived or direct experience of the effects of Adverse Behaviour so as to confirm that relevant University processes are accessible, easy to navigate and promote cultural safety.

(30) During the period commencing 12 months from the Effective Date of this Policy, the University may amend this policy without complying with the steps in clause 29(a) and (b) to the extent necessary to incorporate amendments that are required under regulations, statements of regulatory expectations or similar that are issued by regulators, Ministers or government departments.

Section 3 - Procedure

(31) Nil.

Section 4 - Guidelines

(32) Nil.

Section 5 - Definitions

(33) The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Policy: