Australian Workplace Equality Index
The national benchmark on LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion.
Â鶹Éçmadou has been honoured as a leader in LGBTQIA+ inclusion, achieving the highest status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index.
The Platinum Employer status emphasises the University’s ongoing work towards embracing diversity and building a culture of inclusion, and acknowledging the University’s students and staff as leaders in LGBTIQ+ inclusion.
What is the AWEI?
The Australian Workplace Equality Index () comprises the largest and only national employee survey designed to gauge the overall impact of inclusion initiatives on organisational culture as well as identifying and non-identifying employees.
AWEI drives best practice in Australia and sets a comparative benchmark for Australian employers across all sectors. For this reason alone, the Index has to be comprehensive and rigorous. The work compiled annually by employers submitting for the Index is a testament to the importance of LGBTIQ+ inclusion with their current diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Key contributors to success
Some of the key contributors to Â鶹Éçmadou’s success in 2024 include:
- refreshed LGBTQIA+ Allyship training, open to both students and staff, to include self-serve modules, and featuring a lived experience panel at all face-to-face training sessions, which are open to both students and staff
- the launch of the University’s first Gender Equity Strategy, which contains key LGBTQIA+ initiatives, including funding and support of the Community of Practice for Inclusive Research with Queer & Trans people and people with variations of sex characteristics (CoPQTI)  
- supporting non-binary and trans staff – including an increase in gender affirmation leave allowance under the new Enterprise Agreement, and a refresh of related resources including gender affirmation guidelines and checklists.
The Platinum award recognises the unwavering passion, advocacy, and leadership of students, staff and Â鶹Éçmadou’s Ally Network & Steering Committee who seek to drive significant cultural and systematic change across the University.
