Diversity and inclusion

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Diversity and Inclusion

In this section

Building a culture of inclusion and diversity for staff and students is one of RMIT’s values.

We recognise the benefits for the recruitment, retention, innovation, collaboration and productivity of staff and students in an environment that celebrates and welcomes diversity.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework (PDF 511KB 1p), and related Action Plans, outline the University’s key priorities and objectives to build a more diverse and inclusive student and staff community.

While the commitment to an inclusive and diverse university community applies to all, Action Plans have been developed under this Framework to support:

RMIT recognises the inherent value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions, heritage, knowledges and perspectives to the University. Learn more about our commitment to working with and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities, and read our Reconciliation Action Plan (PDF 2.2MB).

What this means for staff and students

We want to provide the best possible RMIT experience for our whole community, and this starts with ensuring that prospective staff and students have a fair and equitable selection process. 

Once they arrive, our priority is to make RMIT a safe, inclusive and supportive place to work and study so that staff and students have the best possible chance to succeed in work and study.

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  • We offer a range of educational opportunities, from VCE studies to postgraduate research degrees, with a strong focus on providing pathways for students to reach their study and career aspirations
  • RMIT’s I Belong on-campus programs help to raise the aspirations of secondary students from disadvantaged areas, and show them what’s possible through tertiary education
  • Our equity access schemes ensure that those with the desire and capacity to study with us can do so
  • Our comprehensive needs-based scholarship program helps to eliminate financial barriers that may prevent students from pursuing tertiary study
  • We assist female students to access male-dominated programs by providing an adjustment to their selection rank of up to 8 ATAR points
  • We have an holistic program for refugee students and people seeking asylum, including fee waivers, scholarships, priority access to student support services, employability development and employment opportunities including on-campus work and WIL placements
  • We are committed to ensuring that our campuses are physically accessible for staff, students and visitors
  • We are proud of our inclusive facilities including parent’ rooms, facilities for religious observance, and over 50 gender neutral toilets across our three Melbourne campuses
  • Our 24 hour security team, SafeZone app, and Safer Community team ensure the safety of staff, students, and visitors, and a quick response to any concerns or incidents
  • We acknowledge days of significance including Wear it Purple, Harmony Day, International Women’s Day, International Day of People with Disability, Bluestocking Week and IDAHOBIT, with events for staff and students
  • The RMIT Ally Network advocates for and visibly supports staff and students of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities
  • The mental wellbeing of staff and students is a key RMIT priority, and we have a range of initiatives to promote positive mental wellbeing, and equip staff to support students while also looking after themselves
  • We offer a range of services to assist staff, including on-campus child care, flexible work arrangements, generous leave arrangements, counselling services and more
  • We have a comprehensive network of free student support services, including accommodation and emergency financial support, support for students with disability, academic support, mentoring, counselling, legal assistance, chaplaincy and childcare
  • Women are represented at all levels of RMIT governance and leadership, and we ensure that women are supported in their career development and progression
  • Boost Mentoring is open to all RMIT staff, providing further opportunities for staff members to develop their professional skills and networks
  • Our range of mentoring services for students includes industry mentoring for students in Melbourne and Vietnam, mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, the Women@RMIT program for female students entering male-dominated disciplines, and the Pride Mentoring program which offers professional guidance and industry connections for students who identify as LGBTIQ+
  • RMIT offers a range of additional careers services for students including careers counselling, an on-campus Job Shop staffed by student Peer Career Assistants, on-campus employment and WIL opportunities, and workshops and micro-credentials to build student employability and soft skills

Key projects, partnerships and memberships

We have a number of key projects that are underway to support the priority groups and objectives outlined in our Diversity and Inclusion Framework and Action Plans.

Our community partnerships and institutional memberships also provide opportunities for staff and students to participate in training, events and initiatives to make RMIT a better place to be. We have been recognised in the community for our progress towards a more inclusive campus culture.

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  • RMIT is proud to be an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency
  • RMIT‘s efforts to improve gender equity have been acknowledged with an Athena SWAN Bronze award, part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative. This program promotes women’s career development in STEMM and provides support to encourage staff success
  • We have partnered with Respect.Now.Always to end sexual harassment and assault on university campuses. Our Changing the Course plan outlines the actions we will take to make RMIT a safer place for everyone
  • The Women Researchers’ Network (WRN) (Log-in required) was established in 2013 to enable RMIT female academic staff and research fellows at all career stages to connect with each other, share opportunities, access resources and participate fully in positive, active professional development.  
  • We are an institutional member of Pride in Diversity, the national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTI workplace inclusion
  • In 2019 we received the top honour – Employer of the Year – in the Australian Workplace Equality Index, in recognition of our achievements in DGSS inclusion. We also received the award for Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusion, and were awarded Gold Employer status for the second year in a row.
  • Our work to support our DGSS community was recognised in the 2017 GLOBE Awards, where we were awarded the prize for Protecting Our Community
  • Our Ally Network is comprised of staff of all genders, sexes, and sexualities. We currently have over 120 trained Allies
  • We also have a DGSS Network for staff, which provides support and social opportunities for DGSS staff members
  • Our partnership with Minus18 provides opportunities for RMIT staff and students to participate in workshops and training around matters of gender and sexual diversity. We support and host key Minus18 events including their annual Queer Formal
  • We are a disability confident employer, committed to providing fair and equitable recruitment processes for candidates with disability
  • We are an institutional member of Australian Network on Disability, and in 2018 we were recognised as one of the top five organisations for workplace accessibility in the Access and Inclusion Index
  • Our Accessibility at Work team ensure a streamlined and efficient process for staff making workplace adjustment requests
  • Our Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team provides support and equal opportunities for students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition and primary carers of individuals with a disability
  • Our flexible and inclusive work, leave and parenting policies ensure that staff can arrange their working days in a manner that fits in with parenting and carer responsibilities
  • Our program of professional development opportunities ensures staff are confident and well-prepared for the transition to and from parental leave
  • Our state-of-the-art City campus Children’s Centre provides long-day care for the children of staff and students
  • RMIT is proud to partner with over 200 secondary schools throughout Victoria via our Schools Network Access Program (SNAP). SNAP schools are located in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, and SNAP students receive priority access to on-campus tertiary preparation programs and to RMIT degree and diploma programs through the SNAP Access Scheme
  • Each year we welcome over 2000 secondary students from our SNAP partner schools on campus to experience life as a university student. Our I Belong programs increase student aspirations for higher education, and their knowledge of available careers and study options
  • Since 2013, over 10,000 students have enrolled at RMIT through the SNAP Access Scheme. SNAP-enrolled students continue to be academically successful, with comparable rates of achievement and retention to RMIT’s broader domestic population
  • We are a proud member of Diversity Council of Australia and the Equal Employment Opportunity Network
  • Our partnership with Common Purpose provides staff and students the opportunity to participate in global leadership programs, and build their cultural intelligence and leadership skills
  • Our multi-faith chaplains provide spiritual support to students and staff of all faiths and none, and we have prayer rooms on all campuses
  • Our comprehensive program of access and support for students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds was developed in collaboration with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and provides scholarships, fee waivers and priority access to academic and career services and opportunities
  • We are proud of our vibrant international student community. International students make up about 20 per cent of our on-shore student population
  • We have a strong focus on global experiences, and encourage our domestic and international students to consider incorporating an overseas exchange program or study tour into their RMIT degree
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Acknowledgement of country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

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