Australia's Department of Education announced on 17 September that the 2026 National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) is underway, offering more than 1.2 million students an opportunity to share experiences and views on sexual violence and related harm. Roy Morgan is conducting the survey across 38 Universities Australia member universities, rather than every Australian education provider.

Background and what has changed

This is the third national survey following those in 2016 and 2021. Students who have not experienced harm can also contribute, and participation is voluntary. The opening of data collection does not mean that 2026 campus safety rankings or prevalence figures are available.

Eligibility and exceptions for international students

According to the organiser's FAQ, invitees must have been enrolled at a participating university on 30 June 2026, be studying onshore in Australia and be aged 16 or older. Both domestic and international students are included. Offshore students, those under 16 and certain course types are excluded. Students who completed the May pilot will not be invited again; their responses will be included.

Check your university's deadline

The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) separately states that its university's survey opened on 8 September and closes on 6 October, with invitations sent by Roy Morgan. These dates apply to Melbourne; students at other universities should follow their own notices rather than assume a common deadline.

Completing the survey

The official FAQ says completion usually takes 15 to 25 minutes and responses are de-identified before analysis. Students can skip questions, take a break or stop. National results are expected in the first semester of 2027.

Implications for Taiwanese students and families

Editorial guidance: Taiwanese students studying in Australia can check their university email, verify the sender against university notices and then decide whether to participate. Families can help students find campus support while respecting their choice about sharing personal experiences. A survey does not replace individual assistance or a formal report.

Sources & Image Credits

Picture: Polly clip / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; 2010 archive photograph, existing cropped version ； CC BY-SA 3.0 licence . This archive campus photograph does not depict any individual incident.