As a student at an Australian university, you are part of a community that thrives on the free and respectful expression of ideas and beliefs. 

Everyone, including students and researchers, has the right to speak freely and feel safe. No one should try to pressure, threaten, watch, or bother you — especially not a foreign government or someone working for them.

Students and researchers are also expected to abide by Australian laws when in Australia.

Report concerns

If you are approached to engage in foreign interference or witness foreign interference activities, please report this to the National Security Hotline(Opens in a new tab/window), or you can also use the NITRO Portal(Opens in a new tab/window) (Notifiable Incidents, Threats or Reportable Offenses) as another reporting mechanism for concerns over potential espionage, insider threats and foreign interference.

If you experience or witness foreign interference and report this to Australian authorities, you will be protected and your visa will not be taken away. 

In addition to reporting to the National Security Hotline(Opens in a new tab/window), you should report foreign interference activities to your university representatives. This can include contacting security or student services, or the university’s dedicated reporting line. These services are here to keep students safe and have strict privacy guidelines.