Our Watch chief executive Patty Kinnersly will lead a working group examining on-campus safety and stopping sexual assault.
Education Minister Jason Clare said the group would begin its work next week.
"We have to get this right. Safety on campus has been talked about for long enough, the statistics are shocking," he told parliament on Wednesday.
"One in 20 students reported being sexually assaulted since starting university, according to the 2021 national student safety survey, and one in six reported being sexually harassed."
Mr Clare said concerns had been raised about the response to sexual assault on campus, including inconsistent complaint processes and a lack of resources.
The issues have been brought up as part of the universities accord reform.
The final report of the accord panel, which is looking at higher education sector reform, will be handed down at the end of the year.
An interim report has been released.
Mr Clare said concrete plans were needed to boost campus safety.
"This is not about more research or more surveys. This is about what will make a difference on campuses," he said.
"It needs the input and the action of federal, state and territory governments, that's why the working group draws on members from each, and universities need to be doing more here."
The chair of peak body Universities Australia, David Lloyd, said the issue needed addressing urgently.
"We are committed to working with Ms Kinnersly and the government to stop the scourge of sexual harm at universities and in the community," he said.
"It is a shared responsibility and one which we don't - and won't - shy away from."
Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said students had a right to be safe while they were at university.
"We need to do better. How many have had their lives and their dreams forever changed because of the actions of perpetrators?" she said.
"How many doctors or scientists have we lost? How many discoveries or inventions have been missed because we fail to help our students achieve and pursue their potential in a safe environment?"
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