University students hit by pepper spray while protesting over the federal government's higher education reforms have criticised the way police handled the situation.
The students were trying to disrupt Education Minister Christopher Pyne's address at the Sydney Masonic Centre on Friday and entered the building chanting "no cuts, no fees, no corporate universities".
Police guarded the door and tried to keep the crowd at bay, shouting "get back" just inside the building where Mr Pyne was delivering a speech for the Australian Council for Education Leaders.
When protesters continued to surge into the foyer, officers were compelled to use capsicum spray to avoid an imminent crowd-crush, police said in a statement.
After students dispersed onto the street, five required treatment from paramedics.
"We make no apologies of wanting to march into the building but the idea that we were dangerous in any way - we're unarmed students with nothing more than banners and placards and a megaphone," Sydney University tutor and researcher Erima Dall, 25, said.
Anna Amelia, a 23-year-old University of NSW student who is legally blind, says she got the full force of the spray.
"In my throat, in my nose, in my ears and in my eyes," she said.
"As a person with a disability I'm used to a fair amount of pain, but this was on a whole new level."
Sydney University student Brigitte Garozzo said the police dealt with the situation poorly.
"There's no need to use pepper spray against us. We're not violent. We're just students protesting Christopher Pyne," the 24-year-old said.
"I think it's an excessive use of force."
But police have defended the handling of the unauthorised protest.
"The NSW Police Force will not tolerate breaches of the peace or criminal offences being committed by persons who attend unauthorised demonstrations or public assembles," a statement said.
Mr Pyne's office had no comment.
Earlier on Friday, he warned universities to lift their games or lose accreditation to run education courses.
"If the courses don't measure up ... they will not be accredited. If they are not accredited, they will close," he said.
A teacher training review is being led by Australian Catholic University vice-chancellor Greg Craven.
He says it is in the best interests of universities to support tough new standards.
"You'll either shape up or ship out," Prof Craven said.
Mr Pyne acknowledges the changes could result in a drop in the number of students earning teaching degrees.
"If that's what's happens, I don't think that will be a particular problem."
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