IHEA Submission | TEQSA Consultation Paper: SRE on adopting a definition of Islamophobia

12 September 2026: IHEA welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Consultation Paper: Statement of Regulatory Expectations (SRE): Adopting a Definition of Islamophobia.

The draft SRE is broadly similar in structure and regulatory approach to TEQSA’s draft SRE on adopting a definition of antisemitism. While each SRE addresses the distinct form and context of racism to which it relates, both establish broadly comparable expectations around governance and accountability, consultation and engagement, implementation, and monitoring, review and improvement. IHEA has therefore taken a broadly consistent approach in responding to the two consultations, while addressing the Islamophobia−specific matters raised in the current SRE.

In implementing this new requirement, IHEA considers that the Statement of Regulatory Expectations (SRE) should provide clear and predictable regulatory expectations, while allowing providers to adopt approaches that are proportionate to their size, structure, community and risk profile.  IHEA also considers it important that providers have sufficient visibility of TEQSA’s implementation expectations before the new requirements take effect.