Australian universities face strict compliance deadlines with the National Higher Education Code taking effect January 1, 2026. Over half of Australian universities already use Symplicity's Advocate platform to transform manual processes into compliant, efficient systems that protect students while meeting strict regulatory deadlines. 

The Compliance Challenge 

The new Code introduces requirements that expose manual system limitations: 

• Formal Report Resolution: 45 business days (penalty: up to AUD $330,000) 

• Appeals Resolution: 20 business days 

• Student Accommodation Response: 48 hours 

• Investigation Notifications: Same day 

• Annual Data Reporting: June 30 annually 

Universities managing cases through spreadsheets and email face significant operational, financial, and legal risks. 

How Advocate Delivers Compliance 

Standard 1 – Accountable Leadership & Governance 

Cross-department integration connects leadership, student services, and HR teams to deliver a whole-of-institution approach that ensures consistent governance and shared accountability across all compliance activities.  

Standard 4 – Safety & Support 

Automated intake forms, intelligent case routing, and built-in approval processes provide complete documentation and faster response times. 

Standard 5 – Timely Resolution 

Automated deadline tracking and real-time status visibility ensure 100% compliance with resolution timelines. 

Standard 6 – Data & Impact 

Pre-built dashboards and automated data capture enable comprehensive, accurate annual reporting. 

Standard 7 – Accommodation 

Integrated workflows and secure team sharing deliver rapid 48-hour response capability with full audit trails. 

Real Results: University of Queensland 

"It used to take weeks to compile data manually, but with Advocate, we can generate reports in minutes and make decisions based on accurate, up-to-date information.”

 

Rowena Bower
Associate Director of Academic Services, The University of Queensland

 

Read the full case study here.

Proven Scale: Supporting Australia's Leading Universities 

Implementation Journey 

1. Kick-off: Procurement and planning with dedicated implementation team 
2. Deployment: System configuration with existing university integrations 
3. Training: Staff onboarding with comprehensive change management 
4. Optimization (Ongoing): Continuous platform updates and compliance monitoring 

Beyond Compliance 

Advocate delivers strategic value beyond meeting requirements: 

• Risk Mitigation: Proactive automation eliminates financial and reputational risk 

• Staff Productivity: Automated workflows allow focus on student support 

• Data-Driven Decisions: Real-time analytics enable proactive prevention 

• Student Experience: Streamlined, trauma-informed processes enhance trust and safety 

• Reputation Protection: Streamlined, transparent processes reduce the risk of student dissatisfaction and public complaints that often arise from disjointed systems and long response times 

Take Action Now 

With the National Code taking effect January 1, 2026, universities that have not yet implemented compliant systems will face a surge in administrative and reporting workloads during the first half of the year. Manual case handling will stretch staff capacity, heighten compliance risk, and divert attention from supporting students. 

Advocate helps institutions stabilise operations post-deadline by reducing administrative burden, streamlining documentation, and providing the visibility needed to manage reporting obligations with confidence. 

The deadline may pass quickly—but the workload won’t. The question now is whether your university will continue managing compliance manually, or move forward with a system built for efficiency, accountability, and student safety. 

Ready to transform your gender-based violence response? Contact Symplicity to learn how Advocate can ensure your compliance and enhance student safety.