Leading the Way in Student Safety & Belonging

We’re excited to share that we have once again received a Gold Accreditation rating in the Residential Experience Standard (RES) for 2025. Not only did we maintain the highest tier of accreditation, but we also improved our overall score from last year, a result that reflects the continued dedication of our staff, our Residential Leaders, and, most importantly, our residents. 

While receiving Gold again is an incredible achievement, we wanted to take a moment to highlight the area where we performed strongest this year: Safety. 

When students move onto campus, they’re not just choosing a room, they’re choosing a whole community. They’re choosing the place where they’ll meet new friends, settle into uni life, and begin shaping who they are as young adults. At Deakin Res, we take that responsibility seriously, and this year’s RES Survey results clearly showed just how important that sense of community truly is. 

Why Safety Matters to Students at Deakin Res 

Safety emerged as our strongest performing pillar in this year’s RES survey, with residents sharing that they feel safe to be themselves and included in our community. That feedback means a great deal to us. 

Physical safety is essential, but safety also means feeling welcomed, respected and supported to show up as you are, whether you’re outgoing, quiet, still finding your feet, or stepping into something new. 

Watching residents form friendships, support one another and grow in confidence throughout the year is what makes this work so rewarding. It’s why creating a safe and inclusive environment will always be at the heart of what we do. 

Creating a Safe and Inclusive Res Community 

Safety and belonging doesn’t happen by accident, it’s shaped by the collective effort of our entire team. You see it in the big moments, like our events, wellbeing programs and community celebrations, but also in the everyday ones. An RL checking in while walking through res, a staff member supporting a resident through a tough week, or a friendly chat in the hallway that makes someone feel seen. These moments, both big and small, are what turn accommodation into a home. 

The RES survey reflects this by gathering feedback from students, staff and senior managers, offering a true 360-degree view of the student experience. When students feel safe and staff feel they’re delivering that safety, it shows our values are being lived across all our campuses. 

Looking Ahead to 2026 at Deakin Residential Services 

Even with this Gold Accreditation, we have no intention of sitting back. This recognition isn’t a finish line, it’s a reminder to keep listening, keep improving and keep responding to the needs of our community. Our residents change, the world changes, and so must the way we support them. 

Feeling safe and having a sense of belonging can completely shape a student’s university experience. When residents feel supported, they’re more likely to get involved, reach out for help and build the kind of friendships that make uni truly memorable. 

We’re incredibly proud of this result, but it also motivates us to keep going. Safety and belonging aren’t achieved once, they’re built every day. That’s what makes Deakin Res special, and that’s what these results remind us to keep championing. You can read about our Gold Accreditation and more here