Foreign interference

Commitment to international engagement

Monash University’s Impact 2030 strategic plan is focused on addressing the challenges of the age for the betterment of our communities, both locally and globally. International engagement has been critical to Monash's success in research and education, and Impact 2030 acknowledges that creating new international solutions will depend on truly collaborative education and research in partnership with others. To achieve this goal, the University will build on its international networks and alliances of academic and industry partners to pursue solutions to key global challenges through our education and research and diversified student and staff populations, and it will seek to encourage international perspectives and cultures in its research, education and administration.

Our approach

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) explains that Australian academic and research institutions are targets for foreign interference because they are world leaders in developing cutting-edge technology and conducting innovative research. Foreign governments and their intelligence services can exploit this collaborative environment to acquire information and technology to their benefit, or try to alter or direct the research or policy agenda.

Foreign interference can manifest in a variety of ways, including unauthorised foreign access to University IT systems (cyber-hacking) or to original research findings (theft of intellectual property). Interference can also manifest as inappropriately seeking to influence course content, classroom discussion, responses to assessment tasks, extra-curricular campus activities, or research directions, or monitoring of students and staff.

Monash uses the University Foreign Interference Taskforce’s (UFIT) Guidelines as the primary source for its approach to managing foreign interference risks. The Guidelines have been developed by the Federal Government in partnership with the Australian university sector, to help manage these risks and to deepen resilience against foreign interference in the university sector. They were designed to build on risk management frameworks, policies and practices already implemented by Australian universities. The premise of the Guidelines is that everyone in a university has a role to play in mitigating foreign interference risks. Monash has responded to the UFIT Guidelines through structural, governance, procedural and cultural change.

Our response is guided by a cross-portfolio committee reporting to the Vice-Chancellor’s senior executive group. Our efforts align with the UFIT Guidelines, respond to the evolving risk environment, and ensure effective adherence to key federal laws and regulations such as the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 (the United Nations Act), the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011, the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012, the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 and Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020. Monash has a wide range of policies and procedures that help to mitigate the risk of foreign interference, including the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and Procedure, Conflict of Interest Procedure, Declaration of Interests Procedure, Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Policy, and Student General Conduct Policy.

Our approach is grounded in our commitment to protect freedom of speech and academic freedom and to maintain a sound ethical culture, one which demonstrates integrity and respect in everything we do.

Reporting foreign interference concerns

If you are seeking advice, or have questions or concerns about what your rights and obligations are, please contact FIadvice@monash.edu and we will put you in touch with the appropriate team.

If you are concerned that another member of the University community may be acting under the influence of foreign interference, or you are being harassed or pressured, you can discuss your concerns with Monash Security, the Safer Community Unit or email FIreporting@monash.edu. You can choose to make a report anonymously.

You can report a cyber security or data privacy incident via this online form.

Monash security services are also available on all our campuses 24/7. There’s an emergency number you can call if you ever need to, and a general security number where you can get advice, make a report or ask for a security escort.

Emergency on campus: 03 9905 3333 (24/7)

Off campus: 000 (police, fire or ambulance)

Safety escort, advice or to report something suspicious: 03 9902 7777 (24/7)

Individuals are also able to report suspected instances of foreign interference anonymously through the National Security Hotline and the ASIO Notable Incidents, Threats or Reportable Observations (NITRO) Portal. These channels allow Monash students and staff to report anything of national security concern directly to ASIO.