Response to the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence

The University of Queensland is committed to creating an environment that fosters safety, respect and inclusion, and prioritises the protection, dignity and wellbeing of our students, staff and the broader UQ community.

National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence

The Australian Government’s National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence establishes a mandatory, sector-wide standalone regulatory framework for universities to prevent, respond to, and report on gender-based violence.

The Code requires all universities to take a whole-of-organisation approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence across 7 key areas – governance, safe environments, knowledge and capability, support, processes, data, and student accommodation.

Gender-based violence includes any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats based on gender, that can result in harm, coercion, control or fear of deprivation of liberty.

UQ’s response

The University supports the introduction of the Code. In our response, we are further strengthening our evidence-based, best practice prevention and response strategies, and reaffirming our long-standing commitment to providing all members of the UQ community with a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.

This is being achieved through:

updating key plans, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with the Code and further strengthen our practices
increasing training requirements and offering new training options for staff and students
enhancing education and awareness efforts through evidence-informed campaigns
continuing to make data on disclosures and reports of gender-based violence publicly available through UQ’s annual reporting
working closely with our affiliated entities and accommodation providers to ensure a consistent, coordinated approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence and ensuring all members of our community feel safe, respected and included.

A key part of UQ’s response to the Code is the establishment of UQ Safer Communities – a central point of contact and support for students, staff and the broader UQ community for matters related to all forms of inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour, including gender-based violence.

Key plans, policies and procedures

To address the requirements of the National Code across its 7 key standards, UQ has developed and/or updated the following plans, policies and procedures:

Governance and reporting

The Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct was established in 2017 to guide and oversee policies, strategies and initiatives aimed at preventing sexual misconduct. In 2025, the scope of the Committee was broadened to include gender-based violence and it was retitled as the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct and Gender-based Violence: Prevention and Response.

Chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, this group includes senior leaders from across the University and reports biannually to the University Senior Executive Team (USET) and Senate Risk and Audit Committee.

The Committee makes recommendations on strategic approaches, considers subject matter expert feedback and recommendations, and provides direction to various working groups tasked with implementing key initiatives.

UQ Safer Communities

Learn more about UQ Safer Communities. We work within a whole-of-university framework to support people who have been impacted by inappropriate, unsafe or threatening behaviour.