An independent watchdog will better protect students who experience sexual assault at universities and bring the institution to the table if their response is inadequate.
Horror stories from the one in 20 people sexually assaulted at university and one in six sexually harassed underscored the need for oversight, Education Minister Jason Clare said.
Universities were scorched by a report into how they handled sexual assaults, with students describing the process as worse than the assault itself.
Jason Clare says universities need to improve their response to gender-based violence. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
One student who described being sick of being assaulted, begging to feel safe and feeling ignored poignantly summarised "a protracted failure of the higher education sector and of government," Mr Clare said.
"For most of us who have the chance to go to university it is a time of learning new skills and making friends," he told parliament on Wednesday.
"But their stories weren't like that."
An ombudsman would ensure concerns were handled with care and respect and provide a trauma-informed complaints process for all higher education students, the minister said.
It will be able to investigate complaints about a broad range of issues, make recommendations about what a university should do to address a concern and monitor how the institution implements its edict.
It will be able to compel information, documents and other records as well as enter universities as part of an investigation.
People can also be compelled to attend and answer questions before the ombudsman.
Mr Clare further flagged a national code for tertiary education to improve responses to gender-based violence and hold vice-chancellors and CEOs accountable.
Universities would need to update policies to specify "gender-based violence is unacceptable", identify consequences for perpetrators and require ongoing prevention measures, Mr Clare said.
The ombudsman will start taking complaints from February 1, 2025 if the legislation passes parliament in time.
It has received in-principle support across political parties.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
beyondblue 1300 22 4636