Murdoch University first Australian university to receive Responsible Futures Accreditation

Following a student-led sustainability audit, Murdoch University received a two-year accreditation from Responsible Futures.

Over two days in 2025, a team of student auditors examined the institution’s sustainability practices by reviewing documentation and interviewing key staff members, such as Vice Chancellor and IAU President, Professor Andrew Deeks, and Pro Vice Chancellor Sustainability, Associate Professor Martin Brueckner. The findings of the student audit were submitted to SOS coordinating the Responsible Futures programme, which awarded the university a two-year accreditation for embedding sustainability across its curriculum and operations.

Responsible Futures is a strategic student-led change program developed by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS) in 2014 in the United Kingdom. After success in the UK, IAU partnered with SOS in 2023 to develop an international version of the program. To date, Responsible Futures has supported 48 institutions and engaged more than 1 million students. The program used a whole-institution approach to promote education for sustainable development (ESD) and collaboration between students and staff to ensure that students develop the skills, knowledge, and attributes necessary to create a sustainable future.

Accreditation from Responsible Futures centre around a framework consisting of 51 criteria, which are evaluated based on evidence of sustainability actions and outcomes. The Responsible Futures mark means Murdoch University has demonstrated sustained commitment and progress in embedding sustainability and empowering students to shape the institution’s direction. It shows that graduates are being equipped not just with academic knowledge but practical skills and values to act on environmental and social challenges in their future careers. A repeat audit will take place in 2027, where the institution has the opportunity to renew its accreditation.

For more information
About Murdoch University’s student-led audit, click here.  
About the Responsible Futures International program, click here.