(a) Australian Universities Accord The Australian Universities Accord (the Accord) was released in February 2024, following a 12-month review of Australia’s higher education system. Led by a panel of experts, the Accord makes wide-ranging recommendations to improve the quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability of higher education. Specific to the Study, it recommends and clearly reinforces the requirement for inclusion and safety for all students. (b) National Student Ombudsman The Australian Government has introduced a National Student Ombudsman as a new statutory function of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The Universities Accord (National Student Ombudsman) Bill 2024 passed both Houses on 28 November 2024. The National Student Ombudsman will provide a mechanism for higher education students when they are not satisfied by their higher education provider’s response. It will have powers to investigate student complaints and resolve disputes about a broad range of issues, including student safety. The National Student Ombudsman will begin taking complaints from 1 February 2025. (c) Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory body for higher education. Its role includes ensuring that all higher education providers comply with key frameworks and legislation, such as the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and the Australian Qualifications Framework. TEQSA’s role is to protect student interests and uphold the reputation of Australia’s higher education sector through regulation that supports diversity, innovation and excellence, using a proportionate, risk-based approach to quality assurance. To address racism and rising tensions on university campuses, TEQSA has strengthened its collaboration with universities, government bodies and student groups. TEQSA has commenced a series of roundtables with universities, government and student representatives to jointly identify and address systemic barriers for providers in meeting obligations they have under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 to assure student and staff wellbeing and safety, freedom of speech and academic freedom. 20