Gender equity

At VU, we demonstrate our care with action. We are embedding gender equality and justice within our values, structures, programs and curriculum.

Together, we will make meaningful, material changes in the lives of our colleagues, students, the communities we serve in the west of Melbourne and beyond.

The time for change is now.

Educating for equality at VU

In an historic first, Our Watch, a national leader in the primary prevention of gender based violence, is partnering with Victoria University to radically reform systemic intersectional issues of gender inequality and violence.

The partnership aims to:

  • implement Educating for Equality and Respect and Equality in TAFE specifically integrating both approaches within VU as a dual sector institution
  • engage in structural, material, and cultural de-colonisation practices parallel with, informed by and accountable to First Nations students, staff and community   
  • strengthen the intersectional approach VU apply to progressing gender equity with women and non-binary/gender diverse people, with a particular focus on centering community, especially First Nations, communities of colour and new and emerging communities, people with disability and the LGBTQIA+ community     
  • undertake a monitoring and developmental evaluation approach throughout the partnership and share evidence and learnings.
Victoria University staff

Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025

The Gender Equality Action Plan 2022-2025 and companion paper have been developed to help us plan, implement and understand impacts from this work.

The Plan is overseen by the Vice Chancellor Group. Together we are taking a whole-of-institution transformative approach to intersectional gender equity and justice at VU.

Employer of choice

Victoria University is a compliant 'relevant employer' under the Commonwealth Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.

We're a proud recipient of the prestigious Workplace Gender Equality Agency Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation. VU is one of only eight universities in Australia to receive this acknowledgement.

The citation is a leading practice recognition program that aims to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.

Support for academics

Research support after parental or carer’s leave

Researchers who return from parental or carer's leave can apply for an Out-of-Cycle Research Fellowship and Bridging Support under the VU Research Fellowship Scheme.

Out-of-Cycle Research Fellowships and Bridging Support are designed to enable researchers to resume their research program after a period of three months’ or more absence. Bridging Support can also provide additional time for research to enable parents and carers to accelerate their research activities after they return from leave.