In February this year, the Human Rights Commission released the final report of its multi-year Racism@Uni survey into racial discrimination in Australian universities. The findings showed that about 13% of domestic students and nearly one in five international students had experienced race-related unfair treatment on campus. The rate was even higher among postgraduate students. So how do these often subtle forms of discrimination occur? And why is it harder for research students to speak out in academic environments where power is more concentrated? ▶ Listen to the full interview.
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In February 2026, the Australian Human Rights Commission released the final report of its Racism@Uni study into racial discrimination in Australian universities.
The multi-year research found that racism in Australia's higher education sector is not a series of isolated incidents. Rather, it recurs across different levels and settings, pointing to broader systemic patterns.
The survey found that around 13% of domestic students and 19% of international students reported experiencing racism on campus.
The rate was even higher among postgraduate students.
According to the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA), this disparity is no coincidence. It is closely linked to the unique power dynamics and learning environment that characterise postgraduate study.
CAPA Vice President Richard Lee and Treasurer Lucy Zhang told SBS Mandarin that, compared with undergraduate study, postgraduate students operate within a more concentrated academic and funding structure, making some forms of discrimination less visible.
Academic isolation under unequal power dynamics
According to the report, 17.6% of PhD candidates reported experiencing racism, with international female PhD students particularly likely to report direct racist behaviour.
CAPA argues that when supervisors control funding, research opportunities and academic assessment, students are placed in a significantly weaker position.
Lucy Zhang said that even in the absence of overt discrimination, "bias alone can have a lasting impact on students in a high-pressure environment."
She noted that doctoral study already comes with intense academic demands. "In that context, any negative signal from a supervisor can be magnified."
Within such a structure, remaining silent often becomes the default choice for many students.
The report also found that 47% of reported incidents occurred in small-group classroom settings, significantly higher than in social spaces such as student clubs and societies.
Richard Lee believes this is partly due to the frequency of interaction.
“People have more contact with each other in smaller classes, which can sometimes make them more likely to express their genuine views,” he said.At the same time, some international students may be reluctant to speak up because of language barriers or cultural differences, gradually becoming marginalised in classroom discussions.
Lucy Zhang's observations are rooted more in everyday student experiences.
In group assignments, students often gravitate towards peers from similar backgrounds.
“There may be underlying stereotypes at play, such as assumptions that students from certain cultural backgrounds are less hardworking,” she said.She stressed that such judgments are often not based on facts, yet they can quietly shape collaboration opportunities and exclude some students from group networks.
Beyond the classroom, the report identified unpaid compulsory placements as another high-risk setting. Around 16.3% of students undertaking these placements reported experiencing racism.
Richard Lee said financial pressure often compounds the problem. Many placements are unpaid, requiring students to balance long hours with rent and living costs. Some students, he noted, have even had to choose between heating and food during winter.
The report also found that only 6% of respondents had formally lodged a complaint. Many students doubt a complaint will make a difference, while others fear it could affect their academic progress or relationship with supervisors.
Lucy Zhang said universities generally have formal complaints processes, but they can be slow and demanding. For postgraduate students on one- or two-year programs, pursuing a complaint may take up a significant portion of their studies.
CAPA argues that improving student wellbeing should not be treated as an optional extra, but as a core part of Australia's higher education system.
This includes creating more independent complaints processes, improving supervisor training, and strengthening accountability across the higher education sector.
At an individual level, both interviewees stressed the importance of communication.
Richard Lee encouraged students who feel uncomfortable or unfairly treated to speak with their peers and compare experiences, helping them determine whether an issue is isolated or more widespread.
Lucy Zhang suggested seeking advice from alumni and senior students to better understand what constitutes appropriate supervisory behaviour, and keeping records when concerns arise.
In response to the report's findings, CAPA is working with student organisations to push for broader structural reform. A key proposal is the creation of a National Student Ombudsman, providing an independent complaints pathway free from university influence.
As Australia's higher education sector undergoes significant reform, CAPA argues that student wellbeing should be treated as a core measure of institutional performance, rather than a secondary consideration alongside teaching and research.
Looking beyond universities, Lucy believes tackling racism ultimately requires a broader shift in attitudes. She argues that cultural differences should be understood as differences, not used as a basis for judging ability.
"If students are taught from an early age to see cultural backgrounds as a source of diversity rather than a measure of competence, many of these issues may never arise," she said.
She also noted that most people remain silent when they witness racism, allowing more extreme voices to dominate the conversation.
If society develops a stronger understanding of multiculturalism, extreme views will increasingly be pushed to the margins.
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