In 2025, Australia took a decisive step toward safer campuses with the introduction of the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based violence. This code has been developed under new federal legislation and administered by the Department of Education, the Code marks a significant shift from voluntary guidelines to a nationally consistent, enforceable framework.
You can learn more about the code here.
Gender based violence has been recognised as a serious issue within higher education – affecting students, staff and the broader academic community. Until this code was implemented, the response to these serious issues has varied across institutions, often lacking consistency and accountability but more importantly, support for affected individuals. The new Code has established a clear framework that sets mandatory standards for prevention, reporting, support, and the institution’s responsibility. This ensures safety is not an optional extra but embedded within governance and culture.
For universities and higher education providers, this is more than updating compliance and policies – it signals a national commitment to change. The expectation must be to safeguard these communities and reduce gender-based violence.
The Code Explained
Gender-based violence is defined by the Department of Education as “any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats; based on gender, that result in or likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy”.
As this type of violence has been deemed a systemic and persistent issue in Australia, the Code has been implemented.
Making up the Code are seven key standards:
Standard 1: Accountable leadership and governance – Effective governance and
A Whole of Organisation approach prioritises safety and support in the prevention of
and response to Gender-based Violence.
Standard 2: Safe environments and systems – Higher Education Providers’
environments are safe and systems continuously improve to prevent and respond to
Gender-based Violence.
Standard 3: Knowledge and capability – Higher Education Providers build knowledge and capability to safely and effectively prevent and respond to Gender-based Violence.
Standard 4: Safety and support – Responses and support services are safe and person-centred.
Standard 5: Safe processes – All processes are safe and timely.
Standard 6: Data, evidence and impact – Higher Education Providers use evidence to inform their approach, measure change and contribute to the national evidence-base.
Standard 7: Safe Student Accommodation – Student accommodation is safe for all
students and staff.
These seven standards have been designed to cover all aspects of higher education
and implement rigid expectations among institutions to ultimately keep students, staff
and the broader community is safe.
What the Code Means for Higher Education
The Code is enforceable under Australian federal legislation and must be adhered to by institutions. It is expected that campus’ and higher education providers will encompass safety and security into everything they do, providing safer and more optimal facilities and services for students and staff alike. Due to this, institutions should be working with various suppliers to implement strategic processes and frameworks for their individual campus to align with the Code.
Higher education is expected to complete tasks such as:
Reviewing Governance and Leadership responsibilities to ensure compliance is being met and safety is a strategic priority, not an afterthought.
Update policies and processes to be prevention-focused through ongoing training, clear behavioural standards and code of conduct, partake in risk assessments and continually review to ensure proactive policies and procedures are in place.
Establish and promote accessible reporting pathways for affected individuals; focusing on trauma informed response processes, confidentiality, timely and transparent handling of complaints and support services that prioritise safety, dignity and choice.
Partake in fair and procedural investigations of complaints to deliver consistency and integrity across all cases. Collect and monitor data to drive continuous improvement and drive measurable change. Institutions are responsible for fostering safe environments wherever their educational activities occur. Working with suppliers like Constant allow campuses to deliver this for their students and staff.
A Constant Presence
Constant have worked with universities and student accommodation providers to develop a completely customised security model that delivers improved wellbeing and safety outcomes – the resident support officer.
So, what is a Resident Support Officer (RSO)?
Resident Support Officers (RSOs) provide a holistic blend of community support, operational assistance, and safety presence within student accommodation environments. They act as approachable, frontline contacts who help maintain a safe, welcoming, and responsive residential experience.
RSOs support the provider by:
– Offering general operational assistance (after-hours support, noise management, lockouts, welfare checks, visitor management)
– Helping maintain a safe and secure physical environment
– Providing a calm presence during incidents
– Reinforcing community expectations and respectful behaviour
– Escalating wellbeing, safety, or behavioural concerns through the provider’s approved policies and procedures
These individuals have been hand-selected and trained to serve the Higher Education space to deliver a non-intrusive approach to keeping these facilities secure and compliant. They are empathetic, approachable and can deliver support in
line with the Gender-Based Violence Code. Implementing a similar solution in your campus or higher education facility provides integrated operational support, safety presence, and community engagement. Our people operate strictly within the provider’s policies which align with the Code to prevent Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education. The model strengthens prevention, enhances early risk awareness, supports accurate reporting, and ensures students have safe, supported pathways to assistance. This may include in a broader campus support model.
To learn more about the RSO model and how it has been built to align with the Code, download our fact sheet.
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