From 1 January 2027, all NUHEPs registered under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) will be required to comply with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (National Code).
Who does the National Code apply to?
| Provider type | Do I need to comply? | Commencement |
|---|---|---|
| NUHEPs registered with TEQSA | Yes | 1 January 2027 |
| Dual-sector providers registered with TEQSA as higher education providers | Yes | 1 January 2027 |
| TAFEs registered with TEQSA as higher education providers | Yes | 1 January 2027 |
| Providers delivering only VET courses regulated by ASQA | No | Not applicable |
What providers need to do
Whole-of-Organisation Prevention and Response Plans
A key requirement of the National Code is the development and implementation of a Whole-of-Organisation Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Plan and Outcomes Framework.
The Higher Education Gender-based Violence Regulator (GBV Regulator) has published a mandatory Plan template for NUHEPs, which providers must use to meet the requirements of Standards 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 of the National Code. The template provides a structured format for providers to document their Whole-of-Organisation Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Plan and Outcomes Framework, ensuring all required elements are addressed in a clear and consistent way.
Plan requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Template | Providers must use the mandatory NUHEP Plan template |
| Submission date | 29 January 2027 to the National Code Web Portal |
| Publication | Plans must be published on the provider's website. |
| Scope | Must address students and staff and reflect a whole-of-organisation approach. |
| Development | Should be informed by engagement with the provider community and consideration of risks, barriers and enablers. |
National Code Web Portal (the Portal)
To facilitate the submission of information to the GBV Regulator, including Plans, reports, data and other information on request, the Portal has been developed. Nominated higher education provider staff will be able register with the Portal and use it to securely upload information as required.
We will be implementing a phased onboarding approach for the portal. Over the coming months, nominated contacts will receive an email invitation with a link to register for portal access. We anticipate that all NUHEPs will be onboarded by December 2026, to facilitate submission of Plans in January 2027. For more information on the portal, including a detailed User Guide, please see the Portal Webpage.
Do all providers need to submit a Plan?
The GBV Regulator has established a Plan Submission Threshold to recognise that some newly established providers may not yet have sufficient operational activity to develop a meaningful Plan.
Plan Submission Threshold
A provider is required to develop and submit a Plan where it has at least one student or ten or more staff members.
| Threshold | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 or more students | Plan required |
| 10 or more staff members | Plan required |
| Does not meet either threshold | Declaration may be submitted instead of a Plan |
Providers that do not meet this threshold are not required to submit a Plan immediately. Instead, they may be eligible to submit a declaration confirming their understanding of National Code obligations. A Plan must then be developed and submitted once the provider meets the threshold or has been registered with TEQSA for two years, whichever occurs first.
If you think this exception may apply to you, contact the GBV Regulator at GBVRegulator@education.gov.au
Providers registering after 1 January 2027
Providers registered under the TEQSA Act after 1 January 2027 are required to comply with the National Code from the date of registration. Where the Plan Submission Threshold is met, a Plan must be developed and submitted within six months of registration.
| Provider circumstance | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Registered after 1 January 2027 and meets threshold | Submit a Plan within six months of registration |
| Registered after 1 January 2027 and does not meet threshold | May submit a declaration until threshold requirements are met |
Resources available
The GBV Regulator has released a range of resources to support implementation:
NUHEP specific resources
- Mandatory NUHEP Plan template
- Webinar: NUHEP Whole-of-Organisation Prevention and Response Plans
- Webinar: NUHEP Whole-of-Organisation Prevention and Response Plans: Q&A and Implementation Support (upcoming – register)
- National Code Web Portal
Other resources for NUHEPs and HEPs
Providers are encouraged to commence planning early to allow sufficient time for consultation, governance processes and development of their Whole-of-Organisation Prevention and Response Plan ahead of commencement on 1 January 2027.
Key dates
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | National Code commences for NUHEPs |
| 29 January 2027 | Plans due for submission and publication |
| Within six months of registration | Plan due for providers registered after 1 January 2027 (where the threshold is met) |