The University of Western Australia has responsibility under both the WA Equal Opportunity Act 1984 and the Commonwealth Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999.
The WA Equal Opportunity Act 1984 prohibits discrimination in employment and education on the grounds of:
- Sex
- Age
- Race
- Marital Status
- Pregnancy
- Political Conviction
- Religious Conviction
- Impairment
- Family Responsibility or Family Status
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender History
Sexual harassment, racial harassment and disability harassment are also unlawful.
The University is also required to prepare an Equity and Diversity Management Plan. The plan includes objectives and strategies aimed at identifying and removing discrimination and promoting equal opportunity for all employees and potential employees. Areas covered include policy and planning, recruitment, selection, promotion, staff development and training, as well as organisational approaches to culture change programmes and campus wide accountability frameworks.
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 requires that the University formally adopts a policy and a programme for its implementation. One objective of this legislation is to improve the participation of women in all areas of employment.
As a result of these Acts the University has adopted the following Equal Opportunity Policy Statement:
The University of Western Australia is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and education. The University accepts that it has a responsibility to create an environment free from discrimination, and to ensure that the principle of merit operates unhindered by regard to irrelevant criteria. To this end the University will act to ensure that its structures are free from direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital status or pregnancy, race, age, sexual orientation, gender history, religious or political beliefs, impairment, family responsibility or family status."
(Adopted by Senate, October 1993 – amended November 2002).
While the overall responsibility for the University's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action programme rests with the Vice-Chancellor, Deans, Heads of Schools, and supervisors are responsible for implementation the programme.
For information and advice on equity and diversity matters contact:
The Manager, Equity and Diversity on extension 3791 and Diversity Advisory Committee.
Further guidance on Equal Opportunity matters can be found at:
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