At ACU we are passionate about gender equality, diversity and inclusion (GEDI) and focused on progressing programs of work and policies to enhance gender equality outcomes for our people. We are proud of our achievements to date.
ACU Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Zlatko Skrbis is proud to be a pay equity ambassador, part of a network of CEOs and senior leaders across the public and private sectors committed to gender equality and pay equity. Read his recent post - Advancing gender equity at ACU.
Our GEDI priorities and focus have been guided by our Gender Equality Diversity and Inclusion Framework and Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) which aligns with our mission and values. The new GEDI planning Framework is currently being developed, and will align with Vision 2033, ACU’s new People Plan and evolving GEDI regulatory obligations, including the National Code to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and revised higher education threshold standards relating to preventing and responding to racism.
Our Athena Swan Bronze Award accreditation signifies our pursuits and ongoing programs of improvement in equity, diversity and inclusion of which ACU is immensely proud. Our application together with the Athena Swan action plan further embeds gender equality, diversity and inclusion into how we work together every day at ACU.
Learn more about the Athena Swan program
ACU is required to report on our GEDI progress to state and federal regulatory bodies. ACU’s approach integrates our legislative obligations with our commitment and actions to improve GEDI outcomes by aligning action with our Athena Swan Silver action plan and the whole of university plan to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA)
The university submits an annual report to WGEA in line with the requirements of the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012).
The 2026 WGEA Compliance Report questionnaire and employee data tables capturing the progress of our GEDI initiatives is available for review by the university community.
Feedback can be provided internally by emailing [email protected].
The outcome of our 2026 submission will be advised later this year.
WGEA Gender Equality Targets
WGEA has introduced the requirement for employers to set three gender equality targets to support improved gender equality outcomes.
ACU’s evidence-based approach to identify our targets was informed by workforce gender composition data and feedback from the 2025 GEDI survey results and staff consultation.
These targets align with ACU’s Mission, our broader Gender Equality Action Plan and Athena Swan Action Plan, providing a clear framework for continued action, monitoring and accountability over the next three years.
Target 1
Undertake actions to improve Flexible work offerings for employees including:
training in flexible working and remote and hybrid teams for managers and employees,
Target 2
Increase the uptake of primary parental leave by under-represented gender by five percentage points.
Target 3
Consolidate consultation on gender equality issues including:
Victorian Gender Equality Commission
ACU's obligation as a defined entity under the Victorian Gender Equality Act, 2020 (the Act) to take positive action to achieve workplace gender equality aligns with our overarching GEDI program of work. We take a university wide approach to meeting this obligation, which includes reporting on our progress every two years.
ACU's first progress report, submitted in February 2024, was assessed as compliant with the requirements of the Act. Learn more by viewing our Progress Report and the related Supporting Document provided to the Commission. You can also access more information about the progress of ACU and other defined entities by visiting the Commission's Insights Portal.
Our next progress report was submitted in April 2026, which included the development of an updated GEAP for 2026 - 2029. The progress report and GEAP are currently being reviewed by the Victorian Commission for Gender Equality, and the outcome will be advised later in 2026.
Read about how your feedback informed development of the new GEAP in the GEAP Staff Information Pack.
GEDI Staff Experience Survey
Explore the results from the 2025 GEDI staff experience survey conducted in September 2025. These were used to inform our progress report to the Victorian Gender Equality Commission and informed the development of our 2026 GEAP that will guide our future GEDI programs and initiatives.
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