Student feedback and complaints
We work to create a respectful and welcoming environment for everyone, grounded in the University’s values of excellence, trust and accountability.
By speaking up when something feels inappropriate or isn’t going as expected, you contribute to a more positive experience for all students at the University.
Behaviour that is intimidating, abusive, disrespectful or threatening, including bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct, whether online or offline, is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by the University.
Everyone has a responsibility to ensure University lands are a welcoming place for all, and we expect staff and students to model respectful behaviour.
If you experience or witness behaviour that falls short of this expectation the University is here to provide you with support and advice. You can report your concerns confidentially and access resources to guide you through the process.
The University has a range of services available to support you throughout your academic journey.
Everyone has the right to freely express their ideas and opinions, but if any such expression goes against the law or our policies, we can step in to support you.
If you witness or experience behaviour that is intimidating, abusive, threatening or disrespectful, we encourage you to speak up.
If you experience or witness any harmful acts of a sexual nature, or any form of sexual violence - including harassment - you can access confidential support.
A minor disagreement with another student, receiving feedback from a supervisor, or being asked to follow University rules or meet academic standards are all part of a normal learning environment.
It's natural to occasionally encounter challenges when engaging with others, or what can be characterised as low-level conflict. Low-level conflict is an interpersonal dispute or disagreement between individuals which is not sufficient to constitute bullying. These situations should be approached reasonably and respectfully.
If someone's behaviour seems inappropriate the first step is to try to address the issue with the individual involved, if you feel safe and comfortable to do so. This might mean having a conversation with the person concerned, either on your own or with someone else there to support you.
However, if you experience behaviour that is unreasonable, threatens your safety or wellbeing, or is of a sexual nature, the University can step in to support you. Everyone deserves to be respected and we take these concerns seriously.
Before making a complaint about an administrative matter, for example, about your credit, enrolment, or academic progression, we encourage you to try to resolve it using the resources available.
You can explore our knowledge base, speak with the Student Centre who can escalate your query to a specialist team, or follow the appeals process for academic decisions.
Explore our knowledge base for answers to common student questions, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can submit an online enquiry.
The Student Centre is the first point of contact for general enquiries and can assist with all aspects of your study journey, from enrolment to graduation. They can also escalate your query to a specialist team to assist, if needed.
Students can challenge academic decisions they believe are unfair or incorrect through the appeals process. To dispute an academic decision, or to follow up on an appeal you've already made, you can seek help from our team or contact your student body for guidance.
If you've already followed the above steps and feel your enquiry was not handled or resolved appropriately, you can make a complaint about the service you have received from the University.
The University is committed to acting with integrity and upholding the highest ethical standards in all areas of research, teaching, and operations. Guidance is available to help you understand your responsibilities and report any issues appropriately.
Academic integrity means students engage in their education honestly and authentically, acknowledging others' contributions and avoiding misconduct or unfair advantage.
Integrity in research means we conduct our work ethically, accurately and transparently, with respect for participants and data throughout the process.
Wrongdoing is conduct by staff or affiliates that involves corruption, maladministration, privacy contraventions, misuse of government information, or significant waste of public funds.
Modern slavery laws aim to prevent exploitation of people through force, coercion, or deception, and include practices like forced labour and human trafficking.
Human ethics in study and research focuses on ensuring the protection, dignity, and rights of individuals involved, adhering to principles of consent, fairness, and integrity.
Respecting animal welfare means treating animals humanely and only using them when necessary, under strict ethical guidelines.
Concerns about a health clinic, healthcare services or providers at the University of Sydney include any aspect of care that falls short of expected standards.
Intellectual property includes ideas, inventions, and written works created by individuals. We strive to protect and manage these rights fairly to benefit all parties involved.
If you're unsure where to direct your concern, our team can make sure it's directed to the right place for a response.
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