A 'Gold Employer' honour

RMIT University has been awarded Gold Employer status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) as recognition for its commitment to a diverse genders, sexes and sexualities community.

Only 12 Australian organisations received the honour, with RMIT the only university to earn Gold Employer status - the second highest honour in the AWEI’s benchmarking system for LGBTIQA+ workplace inclusion.

With RMIT being recognised as a Bronze Employer in 2017, this year’s Gold accolade celebrates the University’s continuous improvement in building a culture of inclusion and diversity for all staff and students from the diverse genders, sexes and sexualities (DGSS) community.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Science, Engineering and Health and Senior Executive Champion for DGSS equality, Professor Peter Coloe, said the award was evidence of the positive steps that RMIT had been taking.

“I fully support the direction of our strategy and recognise the progress made over two short years after the implementation of the Action Plan for staff and students of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities,” he said.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure our DGSS community feels accepted for who they are, can work and study without fear of harassment, bullying or discrimination and have the freedom to be themselves at RMIT and beyond.”

PhD student and Co-Chair of the DGSS Working Party Mohammad Taha attended the Australian LGBTI Inclusion Awards luncheon in Sydney to accept the award.

“It is truly wonderful to be recognised for the strides the University's made in one years’ time," they said.

“Let us remember that the road towards a better University community and a better world is just beginning.

“Change is here and I hope that we take everyone around us on a journey of learning where we all understand each other a little better and where DGSS individuals truly reach their potential without the hindrance of prejudices and/or biases."

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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 Nation 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 - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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A 'Gold Employer' honour