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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – August 8, 2025 – The University of Sydney is facing renewed scrutiny following revisions to its campus access and protest policies, sparking debate over freedom of expression and the rights of students and staff. The latest changes, implemented in February 2025, have removed a prior three-day notice period for protests and narrowed restrictions on banners to those affixed to university buildings.
The initial policy, introduced in late 2024, drew criticism from student groups and the National Tertiary education Union (NTEU) who argued it unduly restricted peaceful assembly and dissent. Concerns centered on clauses that limited the display of political symbols and required pre-approval for many forms of protest. Initial reports in publications like The Sydney Morning Herald on December 15, 2024, detailed student demonstrations against the original policy outside the chancellery building on Camperdown Campus.
Dr.Peter Chen, President of the NTEU’s University of Sydney branch, stated the updated policies still “reduce freedom of expression, academic debate, and rights to industrial organising on campus.” He specifically cited concerns about the potential for the policies to stifle legitimate union activity related to ongoing enterprise bargaining negotiations for improved staff conditions.
the debate extends beyond academic freedom, touching on issues of inclusivity and potential intimidation.Peter Wertheim, co-Chief Executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), argued that the display of visible flags and political symbols can be perceived as confrontational and exclusionary. He drew a parallel to workplace standards, suggesting that universities should apply similar disciplinary guidelines to prevent campuses from becoming “threatening and exclusionary for other employees or impressionable students.” The ECAJ has previously raised concerns, in a letter to Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Scott dated January 28, 2025, regarding the display of symbols perceived as antisemitic during pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
The University of Sydney’s campus access policy, available on its website (https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2025/02/27/update-campus-access-policy.html), outlines permitted and restricted activities. The policy states that protests must not disrupt university operations, infringe on the rights of others, or damage property. It also details procedures for obtaining approval for larger events and the use of specific campus spaces.
This situation reflects a broader trend across Australian universities, where institutions are grappling with balancing freedom of speech with the need to maintain safe and inclusive learning environments. Similar debates have unfolded at the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University in recent months, frequently enough centering on protests related to the conflict in Gaza. The University of Sydney’s policies are now subject to ongoing monitoring by the NTEU and student representatives, with potential for further revisions based on feedback and legal challenges.
This article was amended on August 7, 2025, to reflect changes to the university’s policies on protests as their initial drafting.