The peak representative body for all Australian university and higher education students.
18/06/2026
Students shouldn’t have to sleep in tents, caravans or their cars just to complete a mandatory placement.
But for too many students, that’s becoming the reality.
Placement poverty is real. It’s time to extend paid placements to every student completing mandatory prac.
Class sizes are growing across Australian universities, and students and staff are paying the price.
Students are waiting longer for help, receiving less individual support and finding it harder to engage in class.
And Job-ready Graduates package has only made it worse.
15/06/2026
Research released by the Menzies Research Centre shows that at every public university in Australia, at least 1 in 5 undergraduate students and 1 in 4 postgraduate students do not feel free to express their views on campus.
The findings are based on government student survey data and show the proportion of students who do not feel free to express their views has increased since 2021.
Universities should be places where students can express their views, test ideas, and engage in robust debate. A campus culture where students feel unable to speak openly undermines the core purpose of higher education.
Universities don’t rebuild trust by giving themselves more power over protests and student unions.
The Group of Eight’s report includes recommendations that would make it harder for students to protest and easier for universities to intervene in student organisations.
And it didn’t consult a single campus-based student union, association or guild along the way.
Student unions aren’t here to protect university reputations. They’re here to represent students.
04/06/2026
The NUS and are in Parliament this week campaigning against oversized classes caused by Job-ready Graduates.
The NTEU’s recent report shows how Job-ready Graduates cut university funding and contributed to growing class sizes across the sector.
Students are finding it harder to access support, feedback and meaningful engagement, while staff are being asked to teach larger cohorts with fewer resources.
17/05/2026
This budget expects students to keep waiting while the costs of university, rent and everyday life keep rising.
Students were promised action on generational inequality, yet one of the biggest drivers of student debt was left completely untouched.
Job-Ready Graduates increased fees, pushed up debt and made university less affordable.
14/05/2026
Threatening university funding is never the answer.
14/05/2026
Today the NUS is appearing before the Victorian Parliament Inquiry into enhancing university governance.
Universities are facing a governance crisis. Students are being locked out of decision-making while university executives continue to centralise power and run institutions like corporations.
The NUS is calling for major reforms to protect independent student unionism and strengthen democratic governance across universities.
Our recommendations include:
- Legislating independent, democratically elected student unions at every Victorian university
- Guaranteeing SSAF funding goes directly to independent student unions
- Protecting student unions from university interference or restrictions on advocacy
- Increasing student and staff representation on university governing bodies
Students deserve a real say in the institutions that shape their lives.
12/05/2026
Tonight’s budget failed to address the key hardships facing students across the country.
12/05/2026
This morning, students from across Australia came together to protest the failed Job-Ready Graduates package.
The government says tackling generational inequality is a priority in this budget. That cannot happen while students are being hit with higher fees, growing debt, and barriers to education through Job-Ready Graduates.
Students are demanding fairer fees, properly funded universities, and an end to policies that lock us out of education.
A huge thank you to for joining us and speaking today.
