University orientation week - or 'O-Week' - involves a range of activities, campus tours and parties to help students get to know their university and peers ahead of the academic year.
It's a fun opportunity to make friends and join extracurricular clubs, but can also present a range of potentially dangerous situations for the young people taking part.
Director Sharna Bremner warns being away from home, as well as the combination of alcohol and unfamiliar company, can make students more susceptible to sexual assault.
"We know that O-Week is one of the times where students are more likely to experience sexual assault in university community settings, so we obviously have a lot of concerns around, I guess, the O-Week festivities that get a little bit out of hand," Ms Bremner said.
Universities Australia is the main group that represents the university sector.
The group's CEO, Catriona Jackson, has called on students to be respectful of others and their safety during the orientation period.
"Have a terrific time, find out all about your new university, meet new people, but when you meet new people, if you're considering having any form of intimate relationships, you need to get consent first and get it clearly."
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Assaults on campus
In 2017, a found half of all students in 2016 had been a victim of sexual harassment that year - a quarter of them in a university setting.
One in 15 had been sexually assaulted.
Universities Australia claims to have been taking significant steps over the past few years to address the problem.
Currently, it is working to develop an online resource called 'The Respect and Equality Program', which will be trialled in four universities over the next 18 months, before being rolled out nationwide.
"We've been absolutely committed to reducing rates of sexual assaults, sexual violence, sexual harassment on our campuses for 2-3 years now, and this is our next big piece of work," Ms Jackson said.
The program is being developed alongside , an agency dedicated to preventing violence against women.
Recognising the initiative as a potentially positive step, End Rape on Campus's Sharna Bremner said she is disappointed by the university sector's response to assaults on campus in recent years.
"Unfortunately we're still having students come to us saying their university has taken over a year to respond to their complaint, or the university outright dismissed their complaint." Ms Bremner said.
She is part of a wider group calling for a federal taskforce to scrutinise university responses to sexual assault and harassment on campus.
Transition stress
Online mental health organisation provides advice and support for young people, and has designed resources to help those tackling university for the first time.
Reach Out CEO Ashley de Silva warned that students may feel daunted by the orientation week experience.
"It can sometimes feel as though everyone around you is keeping up with that change really well. It's really important to know for yourself that actually there will be a lot of people who are not feeling super confident about that stuff," Mr de Silva said.
He encouraged new students to use Reach Out's to help ease the transition.
Know your limits
volunteers attend O-Week events across the country to provide support for students who find themselves in need of help.
Red Frogs National Coordinator Andy Gourley has witnesses a wide spectrum of things that can go wrong at orientation week events.
He advises students it is important to recognise their limits, and keep an eye out for their mates.
"Just be yourself, particularly around alcohol. It's really important that you don't get caught up in the artificial hype that there can be, and go past your limits that puts you in a dangerous position," he said.
"Another tip is always look after your mates. Power of numbers is the key. We find that when major incidents do happen, it's when someone is left by themselves."
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In an emergency contact 000. Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
