Labor is threatening to withhold funding from universities that fail to take serious action against sexual harassment and abuse, if it wins the next federal election.
Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek wants to establish a three-year task force to ensure universities improve the way they respond to allegations of assault on campus.
Universities that fail to make meaningful cultural change will risk having their public funding frozen.
"It's not my intention to do that easily or lightly, but that is a last resort," Ms Plibersek told the ABC on Friday.
An Australian Human Rights Commission report found that in 2016, just over half of students had been sexually harassed on campus.
"We've got a million students - that's over 500,000 people that have been harassed on campus," Ms Plibersek said.
The report found 7 per cent (70,000 students) had experienced sexual assault.
"These numbers are enormous," Ms Plibersek said.
Labor also wants to work with state governments to improve safety at residential colleges.
"We do need to do better to provide a safe learning environment for our students," Ms Plibersek said.
"It is the responsibility of universities to do that. And if we are elected, we'll make sure they do."
