Higher Education

How we help universities and residential colleges meet the National Code

From 1 January 2026, universities and their residential colleges are required to meet the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. The Code sets enforceable standards for prevention, response, governance, training, and accountability, including specific requirements for student accommodation.

Intersection works with universities and residential colleges to translate the Code into practical systems that operate effectively in academic and residential environments.

Intersection brings deep expertise in cultural risk, organisational culture, and institutional accountability. The team has led and authored major cultural health checks and reviews across a wide range of organisations and industries, with particular depth in complex, decentralised environments.

This includes leading Change the Course, the national review into sexual assault and sexual harassment that reshaped expectations for prevention, response, and governance. Intersection has also worked with two Group of Eight universities, as well as a range of tertiary institutions and colleges, delivering comprehensive cultural reviews across university wide and residential settings.

This body of work has examined leadership, power, behaviour, and systems of accountability, and translated findings into practical, evidence- based reforms across governance, policy, training, reporting, and culture.

Code readiness and implementation

We support institutions to understand how the Code applies in their specific context, including where accommodation is owned, operated, affiliated, or managed through third parties.

Our work includes:

  • gap assessments against the Code standards

  • prioritised and easy-to-action implementation plans

  • advice on roles, responsibilities, and governance structures

  • support aligning residential college practices with university wide frameworks

  • capability building to embed a trauma-informed, person-centred response

Prevention and response systems

We design and strengthen prevention and response frameworks that are fit for purpose in student and residential life settings.

This includes:

  • development or uplift of prevention and response plans

  • policies and procedures that are trauma informed, person-centred and accessible

  • clear disclosure and reporting pathways

  • risk assessment and safety planning protocols

  • escalation and decision-making frameworks for complex matters

Our focus is on systems that function consistently, not just in policy documents.

Training and capability building

We design and deliver training aligned to Code requirements and tailored to different roles within universities and colleges.

This includes training for:

  • senior leaders and governing bodies

  • residential and pastoral staff

  • academic and professional staff with student facing roles

  • student leaders and residents

Training focuses on role clarity, prevention responsibilities, responding to disclosures, and managing risk in real scenarios.

Residential colleges and affiliated providers

We work with universities and residential colleges to strengthen arrangements required under the Code where accommodation is affiliated rather than directly controlled.

This includes:

  • reviewing and supporting legally binding agreements

  • clarifying expectations for prevention, response, and information sharing

  • aligning college level practices with university oversight and reporting

  • supporting colleges to meet Code requirements without undermining community life

Governance, reporting, and assurance

We support institutions to strengthen oversight and accountability in line with Code expectations.

This includes:

  • governance and reporting frameworks

  • data collection and review processes

  • internal assurance and continuous improvement mechanisms

  • preparation for regulatory scrutiny

Cultural and safety diagnostics

Where institutions want an independent view of how prevention and response systems are experienced in practice, we conduct cultural and safety diagnostics across universities and residential colleges.

This work provides:

  • evidence informed insights into risk and protective factors

  • student and staff perspectives captured safely and confidentially

  • clear, prioritised recommendations for action

Our approach

We work with universities and residential colleges on issues where legal compliance, student safety, and institutional culture intersect.

Our approach is:

  • evidence based

  • trauma informed

  • independent

  • focused on implementation, not just advice

We support institutions to meet regulatory expectations while strengthening trust, clarity, and safety for students and staff.