Safety on campus

UNSW College is committed to the safety of all students, staff, contractors and visitors to our campus.
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SafeZone

SafeZone, the recently launched UNSW Security and Wellbeing app, is now available for you to download via the App Store or Google Play.

To learn more or to download the SafeZone app, please visit unsw.edu.au/safezone.

Every member of our College community deserves to feel safe and welcome, especially on campus. At UNSW College we are committed to providing a safe learning environment and inclusive campus experience for everyone.

Our safe, diverse and welcoming campus is situated right in the heart of one of the safest and most liveable cities in the world. Ranked 4th Safest City in the world* – you will feel at home from the moment you arrive, to living in Sydney and studying on campus.

The safety of students, staff and visitors at UNSW College is our top priority, find emergency contacts, familiarise yourself with after-hours security services and know where to go if you need help

Download the SafeZone app 

Your safety and security are our top priority. You can have all of UNSW’s safety and security services in your pocket: simply download the SafeZone. It gives you quick access to campus emergency contacts, and a range of additional safety features.  

Use SafeZone whenever you are at a UNSW location*. In the event of an emergency or if you sense that something is not right, utilise the following features: 

  • Emergency button: Press the button in case of any emergency,
  • First aid assistance: Press the first aid button for initial medical support.
  • Non-Urgent button: Use this for general inquiries.
  • Wellbeing Assistance: Access health and wellbeing services.
  • Check-in timer: Inform Security if studying alone or late at night, and they will keep an eye on you. 
  • Buses: Keep track of the UNSW Shuttle bus using the buses feature.
  • See it? Say it?: Report any suspicious activity, vandalism, scams, or unusual occurrences. It's important to note that this reporting feature is exclusive to SafeZone and safety hazards and incidents should be reported through Salus.
  • Real-time notifications: In the event of a serious incident posing a risk to the university community, SafeZone can notify you instantly through push notifications, SMS, or email.

*Currently, the SafeZone app is applicable across all Sydney Metro campuses. We will collaborate with other UNSW campuses to extend the availability of SafeZone to ensure their inclusion in the future.
Download on App Store
Download on Google Play

Gendered violence

Sexual and gendered violence in all its forms continues to impact individuals and communities across society.

UNSW College students and staff play an important role in creating a safe and respectful community when studying or working with us. This includes understanding and demonstrating the behaviours expected at UNSW College and taking safe and appropriate action to help prevent gendered violence (GV).

UNSW College is committed to raising awareness of respectful behaviour, responding appropriately to disclosures and incidents involving students, staff, and members of the public, and providing support to those affected by gendered violence.

  • Sexual harassment, gendered harassment, sexual assault, rape, relationship violence and coercive control are all gendered violence behaviours. Gendered violence refers to harm perpetrated against a person or group because of their sex, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity.

    Gendered violence includes: 

    • Asking inappropriate questions about someone’s private life or sexual experiences.
    • Commenting on someone’s appearance in a disrespectful way.
    • Using sexist language and telling sexist jokes.
    • Harassing someone because of their sexuality.
    • Blaming a person who has experienced gendered violence for their behaviour.
    • Staring or leering in a sexually suggestive way.
    • Stalking or monitoring someone online, including repeatedly contacting someone after being blocked.
    • Sharing nude or sexual images without consent.
    • Unwanted physical contact or touching.
    • Pressuring, intimidating, or coercing someone into sexual activity.
    • Physical violence or threatening physical violence in a relationship.
    • Sexual contact without someone’s consent, or when they are unable to consent.
    • Controlling a partner’s social interactions, finances or activities.
    • Attempting to isolate a person from their support network.
    • Withholding finances unless the person does what the other person says.
    • Acting in intimidating ways including breaking things.
    • Harm to pets.

    Learn more about relationship violence

  • While anyone can experience gendered violence, it most commonly affects women and girls. Evidence also shows that LGBTIQ+ people, people with disabilities, cultural and linguistically diverse people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are at higher risk. This is because gender inequality often overlaps with other types of inequality.

  • Gender inequality creates an environment where gendered violence can occur. Gender inequality is when people of different genders do not have equal access to social status, power, resources, opportunities, or respect in society. For more information, please visit the Our Watch website

  • Consent matters every time. Everyone deserves respect, bodily autonomy, and the right to feel safe. UNSW College is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students and staff.

What is gender based violence?

An animated video developed by the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre explains what gender-based violence is and highlights the different forms it can take.

Reporting safety concerns on campus 

If something happens that isn’t an emergency, but still makes you feel unsafe, you can report it to Campus Security at any time. Get in touch by calling +61 2 9385 6000, visit the Security Office at Gate 2 of the UNSW Sydney (Kensington) Campus, or report via the SafeZone app.  

If you notice a hazard around campus or are injured, notify a UNSW College or UNSW Sydney staff member as soon as you can.  

Safety is everyone’s responsibility 

To help us keep the UNSW College environment safe and welcoming for everyone, we ask that you:  

  • look out for your own safety and the safety of others 
  • report any incidents to Campus Security 
  • follow instructions and signage around campus 
  • listen and cooperate with emergency procedures 
  • report any hazards, injuries or incidents to a staff member 
  • reach out to someone if you need help. We are here for you! 

Staying safe tips: 

  • Download the SafeZone app for security at your fingertips 
  • Download UNSW’s app Uni-verse and use your phone to navigate around the UNSW Sydney campus or visit the campus maps page 
  • Avoid isolated areas, particularly after hours. Remember the free night security shuttle and security escort service! 
  • Laboratories and workshops pose a health and safety risk, so remember that unauthorised access to these areas is restricted 
  • Emergency help points are located around the campus. They link you directly to Campus Security  

Be aware of scams 

It’s important to be aware of the threat that scammers cause to your personal, financial and academic wellbeing. We’ve noticed an increase in illegal scammer activity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of the uncertainty to exploit people. International students have also been targeted and are being directly asked for money.  

If you receive a request from someone claiming to be from UNSW, or a government or police agency asking for money, please contact International Student Support for advice to see whether it is legitimate (a real request). This is confidential and will not affect your visa or enrolment.  

Scammers will often pretend to be from an official organisation such as: 

  • Australia’s immigration office or other government departments 
  • An official visa agent 
  • Australian police 
  • An Embassy, High Commission or Consulate 
  • A UNSW representative  
  • The World Health Organisation 
  • A property rental agent. 

Scammers will want money or information and may ask you to: 

  • provide personal, bank or credit card details 
  • send money to a third party 
  • pay additional student fees or a fine 
  • pay a ‘deposit’ 
  • pay additional money for your visa 
  • pay your rent to someone other than your landlord. 

Scammers may threaten you by saying, ‘Unless you pay money/fees/fine’: 

  • your visa will be cancelled 
  • your place at university will be cancelled 
  • you will fail your course 
  • you will be deported 
  • you will be arrested 
  • you will lose your job 
  • you will be evicted. 

None of this is true. Do not give any personal information, bank or credit card details over the phone or via email.  

What should I do if I suspect a scam? 

  • Do not provide any information.  
  • If you receive a phone call – hang up. 
  • If you receive a text, email or social post that you are not sure about, delete it. Do not reply. Do not click on any links. 
  • If you receive a request for money, or a threat, or if you have any doubts or suspicions about any request – cut off communication and contact a UNSW Student Advisor to check whether it is real.  
  • Email: student.support@unswcollege.edu.au
  • Speak up! Don’t be afraid to seek help or advice. Speaking up protects you, your family and other students. 

For information about the latest News and Alerts on Scams visit:  scamwatch.gov.au 

A useful free download with some great information is the Little Black Book of Scams 

If you have been a victim of a scam, you can contact Kingsford Legal Centre on (02) 9385 9566 for legal advice. 

Emergency Contacts

  1. Dial triple zero (000) 
    For emergency assistance and life-threatening situations, you should first always call triple zero (000) for police, fire or ambulance.
  2. 24/7 Call Campus Emergency (02 9385 6666)
    If you experience an emergency or critical incident on campus at any time call 02 9385 6666.
  3. 24/7 General Security (02 9385 6000)
    For general security and safety issues you can call Campus Security on 02 9385 6000 for assistance
  4. 24/7 Security Office
    Our security office is a safe space, open 24/7 if you need to speak with someone or get help in person. It is located at Gate 2 of the UNSW Sydney (Kensington) campus.

UNSW College delivers its Applied Degrees, Foundation Studies, Academic English, Diplomas, and Pre-Masters Program under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K; TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).

UNSW College also delivers UNSW Diplomas on behalf of UNSW Sydney under CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).

See unswcollege.edu.au/esos for more information.

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