We’re on a mission to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of Australian universities to our nation’s prosperity, innovation and societal advancement. Or in other words – why universities matter.

Through groundbreaking research, educating the skilled people we need and supporting their communities; universities improve the lives of all Australians.

Like the foundational 2016 survey, the survey collected data on the scale and nature of university student experiences of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

In February 2016, Universities Australia began the Respect. Now. Always. initiative.

This world-first, sector wide program aims to prevent sexual violence in university communities and improve how universities respond to and support those who have been affected.

It builds on work done by individual universities in Australia over many years to develop policies, reporting procedures and support services.

This Universities Australia campaign features Australians talking about how their lives, and the lives of others just like them, have been improved by university research.

Australia’s world-class universities are home to brilliant researchers and cutting-edge specialist expertise.

Universities are a vast resource of research and innovation for businesses.

The benefits of a university education for Indigenous students and their communities is at the heart of this campaign to inspire more Indigenous Australians into higher education.

The campaign features a series of short social media videos and a website for potential students on university pathways.

As Yuin man and university graduate Tim Goodwin tells students considering university study: “Believe in yourself. Apply. Go for it.”

In 2017, Universities Australia launched a sector-wide strategy binding itself and all 39 universities to important targets on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student participation, success and employment in universities.

The strategy was drafted in partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC) and the progress achieved thus far. Whilst there has been notable progress in the last decade, the strategy pledges Universities Australia and its 39 members to redouble their efforts.