Australian universities will have to adopt their own definitions of racism as of next year. This includes antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism towards First Nations people.

It is to make complaints easier and clearer, and enhance safety and inclusion on campus. But according to the new rules, introduced by the federal government this week, universities will not have to adopt any specific definitions.

This comes as the royal commission on antisemitism hears from university leaders, students and staff about the difficulties universities have had responding adequately to antisemitism on campus in recent years.

On Wednesday, University of Sydney vice chancellor Mark Scott said

When I spoke to members and leaders of the Jewish community, they felt quite strongly that a definition of antisemitism was important and significant and we needed some level of clarity to know what we were talking about, although no definition is complete or perfect in every circumstance.

When I spoke to members and leaders of the Jewish community, they felt quite strongly that a definition of antisemitism was important and significant and we needed some level of clarity to know what we were talking about, although no definition is complete or perfect in every circumstance.

It also follows a May 2026 review which found “no [Australian university had] met the requirements for adopting a definition of antisemitism”.

What definitions do we have?

Under the new requirements, universities can draft their own definitions. But it is more likely they will draw on existing definitions – each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

Peak body Universities Australia drafted a definition last year that has already been endorsed by Australian universities. There is also the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance........

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