Australian Human Rights Commission Respect at Uni Interim Report December 2024 (8%), the Philippines (5%) and Vietnam (5%). 61 The growth in international student enrolments and the announcement of the international student cap in 2025 have placed international students in the spotlight, amplifying underlying experiences of racism. Consultations with Welcoming Universities, an organisation promoting inclusive and welcoming campuses for international students, migrants and culturally diverse communities, have described a range of negative experiences faced by international students. These experiences include overt derogatory language, as well as racist attitudes and bias regarding academic proficiency. For example, participants in the Commission’s consultations reported that some teaching staff hold low expectations for international students, often assuming they rely on ChatGPT to complete their assessments. There have been instances where students questioned their grades, only to be asked by faculty members to provide their search histories or to justify their English proficiency. Additionally, international students have expressed concerns about communication issues, noting that some staff claim they do not understand students' accents. This has resulted in the requirement for additional English courses, even though many students already possess a high level of English proficiency. International students often face exclusion and a lack of social support, struggling to find adequate guidance and assistance. Students shared stories of feeling unwelcome and viewed as a commodity or ‘cash cow’ for universities. Consultations with international students and the Advisory Committee further highlighted the precarious position of these students due to their visa conditions. Many international students express genuine fear of reporting incidents of racism and discrimination, worried that it may compromise their visas and lead to their deportation. This aligns with research conducted by the Asian Australian Alliance in the context of COVID-19, with international students accounting for 15% of respondents to their survey and 80% of that cohort from a mainland Chinese background. 62 Many international students work to support themselves during their studies, so any risks to their visa and work rights are fundamentally tied to their educational experience. (g) Intersectionality Intersecting identities and marginalisation were featured as critical considerations across many consultations. There was a strong recognition that experiences of racism were compounded for women and people with disability. For instance, international students noted that they were often neglected in consultation and outreach support related to accessibility and disability 41