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National Student Safety Survey

On Thursday 10 September, Edith Cowan University (ECU) students will receive an invitation to participate in the 2026 National Student Safety Survey (NSSS). Conducted by Roy Morgan on behalf of Universities Australia, the survey captures students' perceptions and experiences of sexual violence and harm. The findings will provide updated data to help inform prevention efforts, strengthen support services and support continued action across the Australian university sector.

ECU is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all students. Our Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Plan guides our response to previous surveys and our approach to meeting our legislative and ethical obligations.

Your voice matters

Every student's experience of university is different. Whether your experience has been positive, challenging or somewhere in between, your perspective matters.

The NSSS provides an opportunity for students to share their experiences and perspectives. By taking part, students can help shape positive change and contribute to safer campuses for current and future students.

Participation is voluntary, and you can stop the survey at any time.

About the survey

The NSSS is a nationwide survey of students at Australian universities. All students at participating universities are invited to take part, whether or not they have experienced sexual violence or harm.

The survey is designed to build a clearer understanding of students' experiences across the higher education sector. The results will help universities strengthen their policies, prevention initiatives and support services.

This is the third national survey of Australian university students assessing the occurrence and impacts of sexual violence or harm. The first survey was conducted in 2016 by Roy Morgan for the Australian Human Rights Commission, with the findings published in the Change the Course report in 2017. The second survey was conducted by the Social Research Centre in 2021, with the results published online in 2022.

The content of this survey is different to the two previous surveys. New questions have been added, and others have been removed to reflect better understanding of different forms of sexual violence or harm, and changes to the higher education system.

Results

Results will be released in the first half of 2027. ECU’s Respect at ECU Advisory Group, which includes students, will guide the actions the university takes.

Your privacy

Your responses are confidential.

Individual responses will not be shared with ECU, and survey findings will be reported in a way that protects student privacy. Information collected through the survey will be analysed and reported at a sector level to help inform future action.

Looking after your wellbeing

Some topics covered in the survey may be sensitive or distressing.

Support is available before, during and after participation. Please prioritise your wellbeing and access support if you need it.

Students can access 24/7 free and confidential support from trained counsellors by calling the National Student Safety Survey Counselling Line on 188 572 224. The Counselling Line is being provided by Full Stop Australia which is a specialist sexual, domestic and family violence support service.

ECU students can also access a range of free and confidential wellbeing and counselling services. Information about available support services will also be provided within the survey invitation and throughout the survey.

Staff supporting students

The survey may prompt students to reflect on, or come forward about, difficult experiences, some may reach out to ECU staff for support or guidance in the coming weeks. We want staff to feel prepared to respond with care, and to know where to direct students, including where to turn yourselves if you need support.

Support for your students

Our priority is to ensure that all students have access to safe and confidential support services. You can head to our SharePoint for information on where to refer students. 

Support for you

Supporting students through disclosures or difficult conversations can also affect you. You can head to our SharePoint for further support.

Training to complete

To help you feel confident responding to students during this period, please complete our online training, Understanding, Preventing and Responding to Gender-based Violence, you haven't already. This training is mandatory for all staff at ECU.

Frequently asked questions

Who is conducting the survey?

The 2026 National Student Safety Survey is conducted by Roy Morgan on behalf of Universities Australia.

Who will receive the survey?

All students at participating Australian universities, including ECU, may receive an invitation to participate.

Do I have to complete the survey?

No. Participation is voluntary. If you receive an invitation, we encourage you to consider taking part, but whether you participate is entirely your choice.

Will ECU see my response?

No. Your responses are confidential and individual responses will not be shared with ECU.

Why is the survey important?

The survey provides updated national data on students' perceptions and experiences of sexual violence and harm. The findings will help inform prevention efforts, strengthen support services and support continued action across the Australian university sector.

Can I opt out of future NSSS emails?

Yes. If you no longer wish to receive emails about the NSSS, you can unsubscribe at any time. Every survey invitation email or reminder includes an Unsubscribe link, which allows you to opt out of receiving any further survey communications. Once you have unsubscribed, you will not receive any additional NSSS invitation or reminder emails for the current survey.

For more frequently asked questions, head to the National Student Safety Survey website.

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