Gender Equality Act

Victorian public sector organisations, universities and councils legislated to take positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality under the state’s first Gender Equality Act (which came into effect on March 31, 2021) have support from the ‘Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector’ to meet their obligations.

The Commission’s website is is the government’s central point for information about the Act, obligations, reporting and compliance and has published a range of guidance materials and best practice resources to help defined entities to meet their obligations.

In addition, Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West has developed a hub of resources (below) specifically tailored to meeting the needs of our local defined entities. This hub will be constantly updated and we advise you to keep checking back.

We can also support you to meet the Gender Equality Act requirements, by:

Holding leadership forums to introduce the Gender Equality Act and the supports available; Facilitating sector-specific Communities of Practice to support key staff in the implementation of the Act.

For more information please contact Carly Dennis, Regional Manager on cdennis@womenshealthbsw.org.au or 0438 010 475

Resources Hub

Workplaces are a key site to undertake primary prevention work as they:

1. Have reach across the population and into communities (we spend more time at work than with our families or friends)

2. Can change societies norms, behaviours and structures as well as set a cultural and systemic standard.

The following resources will support your organisation’s leaders to understand their requirements under the Act and how to communicate effectively to support cultural change in your workplace and your community:

Gender Equality + Workplaces

Did you know we can reduce violence against women in Australia by increasing gender equality in every aspect of our lives, including our workplaces?

Backlash & Buy-in

Responding to the challenges in achieving gender equality.

Backlash & Buy-in

This video helps organisations understand and address the range of responses they may face when implementing gender equality action in the...

Communicating Effectively

This guide aims to help you by providing advice to develop a communications strategy to support the gender equality work in your organisation.

Responding to Curly Questions About the Act

A reference guide outlining frequently asked questions about the act and how to respond to them.

Gender Equality Video Resource List

A list of short videos that can support you and your team in understanding gender equality, intersectionality and the gender pay gap.

The Leadership Shadow

A free and simple management model, called 'The Leadership Shadow', which will help leaders everywhere to listen, learn and lead by understanding...

How gender inequality manifests in the workplace

The story of Amelia and William is fictional but is based on data. The data shows us we still have a long way to go before we can say that we have...

Gender Equality Resource List and Links

Gender impact assessments are a way of critically thinking about how policies, programs and services will meet the different needs of women, men and gender diverse people.

In many circumstances, women and gender diverse individuals may not have the same access to decision-making processes, resources, economic or social opportunities. This means that policies, programs and services are likely experienced differently, and have different outcomes for people of varying genders.

The aim of gender impact assessments is to create better and fairer outcomes and ensure all people have equal access to opportunities and resources.

From March 31, 2021, Gender Impact Assessments are required for all new and reviewed policies, programs and services that have a direct and significant impact on the public.

Why Gender Impact Assessments are Important

Explaining why Gender Impact Assessments are a key component of embedding gender equality in any organisation.

Example of a Gender Impact Assessment in Action

This short clips shows you how a Gender Impact Assessment was undertaken and how the data was used to inform service planning and delivery.

Example of a Gender Impact Assessment in Action

This short video shows how a Gender Impact Assessment was undertaken; demonstrating how the management of public spaces affects genders differently.

Gender Analysis Toolkit

A guide to gender analysis of local government events, information, programs, projects and services.

Gender as material to infrastructure projects

This resource demonstrates how you can reach better outcomes by applying a gender lens from project inception.

Determining Direct & Significant Impact

The Gender Equality Act requires you to undertake a Gender Impact Assessment (GIA) each time you review or develop a policy, program or service...

Gender-Based Analysis: What is it and Why?

Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is a tool to looking at how different genders and diverse people experience policies, programs and initiatives....

City of Whittlesea Gender Equity in Design Guidelines

Workplace gender audits are an essential part of helping your organisation understand how it is performing in regards to the systems, structures, policies and practices that promote workplace gender equality.

The workplace gender audit will establish baseline organisational data on gender equality from which you can:

Identify any critical gaps, areas for improvement and challenges to address in your Gender Equality Action Plan
Monitor and assess progress made in relation to workplace gender equality including whether strategies and measures are effective.

The Audit process is required to commence as soon as possible after June 30, 2021.

2021 People Matter Survey Questions

The full list of the Victorian Public Sector Commission 2021 'People Matter Survey' questions.

Gender Pay Gap Resources and Tools

The workplace gender audit requires two categories of data: workforce data and employee assistance data.

Panel of Providers – Workplace Gender Audit Workshop Resources

Tailored support from a Panel of Providers will be available to help defined entities comply with the Gender Equality Act 2020(Vic).

Gender Equality Action Plans (GEAP) explicitly set out your organisation’s commitment to achieving gender equality by helping you plan, implement and measure change.

Organisations are required to develop a GEAP every four years and report on it every second year.

The first GEAP under the Gender Equality Act is due by October 31, 2021.

From Audit to Action

This document sets out the results of the Commission’s analysis of the state of gender equality in Victoria Police in 2018 using the outcome...

Outcome monitoring framework

An example of long-term word-place gender equality goals and the success measures required to achieve them.