The release of the Australian Human Rights Commission's Racism@Uni Final Report confirms what First Nations learners, educators and academia have been saying for decades - racism in universities is multi-faceted, systemic, and pervasive, says the national peak body for First Nations education.
NATSIEC said it was "deeply concerned" but not surprised by the study's findings.
The report confirms racism creates a working, teaching and learning environment that causes harm to First Nations people, as well as other racialised communities, and impedes learner and staff success in Higher Education.
The study found more than 81 per cent of the over 2000 First Nations learners, academic and university staff surveyed had experienced racism.
NATSIEC is currently undertaking national community consultations in partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC), the national network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in higher education, to ensure the forthcoming national First Nations Education Policy reflects the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners and university staff.
"The findings of the Racism@Uni report reinforce the urgency of that work," NATSIEC said.
"Today's report reiterates the feedback NATSIEC and NATSIHEC have heard from First Nations educators and university staff already during our national consultations. The study shows racism is not confined to isolated incidents - it is embedded in systems, policies and everyday university life."
NATSIEC acknowledged the First Nations learners, educators and university staff who bravely shared their experiences of racism in these institutions and vowed to continue to advocate for anti-racism frameworks and policies that centre the experiences of First Nations people as the first people of these lands.
The organisation noted that the Racism@Uni Working Group does not explicitly include the national peak body for First Nations education, and urged the federal government to ensure First Nations education leadership is formally included in the implementation and oversight of reforms.
"Reform cannot occur without the voices, authority and leadership of First Nations peoples in reshaping those systems," NATSIEC said.
"Racism in universities is not a marginal issue. It shapes who belongs, who succeeds and whose knowledge is valued. Systemic problems require systemic solutions."
NATSIEC Chair, Ray Ingrey, noted that universities hold "enormous power" in shaping public discourse and future leadership in Australia.
"This report makes it clear that racism is not incidental," he said.
"For First Nations peoples, this is not new information. Our communities have long understood that these long-standing institutions cause harm unless they are intentionally redesigned.
"We will work with the Australian government and NATSIHEC to ensure First Nations leadership is at the table. Any national responses aimed at tackling racism in universities needs to have genuine engagement from the start."
NATSIEC chief executive Sharon Davis said the data is "confronting but it is not surprising".
"More than 80 per cent of First Nations respondents reported experiencing racism in universities. That has real consequences for mental health, academic progression and workforce participation," they said.
"Racism is not just interpersonal behaviour. It is embedded in curriculum, governance, complaints systems and leadership structures.
"If we want universities to be places of genuine learning and critical thought, then we must address whose knowledge is centred, whose voices are believed and who carries the burden of fixing systems that were never designed for them.
"NATSIEC stands ready to work with government and the sector to implement the recommendations. But we will not accept reform that excludes First Nations education leadership."
