RMIT achieves prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award for gender equity

RMIT achieves prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award for gender equity

RMIT has become one of only five universities in Australia to gain the prestigious Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan Silver Award, placing it among the national leaders in advancing gender equity and inclusion in higher education.

This world-respected accreditation is the culmination of 11 years of reflection, analysis and sustained, evidence-based action to improve the experience and outcomes of underrepresented staff across the University.  

RMIT joined SAGE in 2015, when the Athena Swan pathway was first introduced to Australia, and was granted the Athena Swan Bronze Award five years later in 2020.  

Since then, RMIT has also gained all five Cygnet awards as part of its pathway to Silver, acknowledging the University’s progress and impact in critical areas including enabling accessibility, recruiting women and gender-diverse staff in STEMM and supporting LGBTIQA+ inclusion.  

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Alec Cameron said gaining Silver accreditation recognises the University’s ability to demonstrate measurable impact from its equity initiatives – moving beyond commitment to proven outcomes.  

“It has been incredibly rewarding to see our researchers, academics and professionals embrace this opportunity to reflect on and implement practical ways to make RMIT a safe and supportive environment for all,” he said. 

“Since 2015 the University has made significant gains for women in STEMM, parents and carers, LGBTIQA+ staff and students, as well as staff with disability and neurodivergence. 

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in achieving the Silver award, for the deeply positive impact they have had on our community.” 

While the accreditation recognises past achievements, it also sets expectations for continued progress. 

RMIT’s Athena Swan Silver program of work will address five action areas where the University will combine policy reform, targeted programs, leadership engagement and culture change to create measurable improvements in equity, inclusion, safety and belonging for staff and students.   

Two of these action areas, ‘Supporting career progression for women and gender-diverse academics, and balancing gender composition at all levels’ and ‘Academic workload activity and management’, have been newly created to address emerging priorities identified through analysis and consultation, and to enable more targeted action in areas where persistent gender inequities remain. 

Professor Kay Latham, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Gender Equity, said that while the Silver accreditation is a significant achievement for RMIT, it doesn’t mean the work will stop.  

“Since gaining the Bronze accreditation in 2020, we have taken strides in implementing change by introducing evidence-based policies and programs, as well as enhancing leadership capability, data and accountability,” she said. 

“As of 2026, 60 per cent of our STEMM Schools have achieved a 40:40:20 gender balance* among academic staff, parent and carer promotion outcomes match or exceed the University average, we’ve earned platinum recognition for LGBTIQA+ inclusion, and accessibility and neurodiversity initiatives have helped double undergraduate enrolments of students with disability. 

"Achieving Silver is an exciting milestone, and my team and I are committed to building on this success by continuing to drive innovative, sector-leading approaches that strengthen respect, safety and inclusion across the RMIT community." 

Dr Janin Bredehoeft, CEO of SAGE, congratulated RMIT on its Silver accreditation. 

"RMIT's Silver Award is a genuine reflection of the work being done across the University to build a more equitable and inclusive environment for staff and students,” she said. 

“A standout achievement is a 100% return-to-work rate from parental leave in 2025. This is a remarkable outcome that shows real career equity for parents and carers isn't just a policy commitment at RMIT, it's a lived reality.  

“That kind of work is exactly what drives lasting change, and we look forward to seeing how RMIT continues to deepen and embed this work in the years ahead.” 

RMIT will now turn its sights to achieving Athena Swan Gold accreditation by delivering dedicated and innovative actions linked to persistent issues of intersectional gender inequality, including achieving gender parity in research and equitable representation at the highest levels of academia and leadership. 

*40:40:20 refers to 40% women: 40% men: 20% any gender

29 July 2026

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29 July 2026

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