UOW’s values of mutual respect and diversity underpin our commitment to providing an equitable and safe workplace for all.
Gender, Sex and Sexuality diversity (LGBTIQ+)
All UOW staff and students have the right to work or study in an environment free from discrimination, bullying and harassment. All of us are responsible for preventing and calling out any behaviours inconsistent with our values. Under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), discrimination against a person on the basis of their gender identity, intersex status and/or sexual orientation is prohibited. Please refer to UOW's Bullying Prevention Policy for further information.
At UOW, we have a range of initiatives and policies to ensure our community is safe for everyone. Explore the resources below to find out more.
- UOW Pride Network (formerly Ally Network)
- Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI)
- Gender Affirmation at UOW
- The Welcome Here Project
UOW Pride Network is dedicated to providing a safe and respectful environment for people to raise issues, ask questions and share information within the gender, sex and sexuality diverse community.
The group includes a network of empathetic people who are allies of students and staff identifying as gender, sex and sexuality diverse.
The UOW Pride Network (formerly UOW Ally Network) is now proud to have signed on to affirm the Darlington Statement.
In 2023, the university achieved Bronze Accreditation from the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) for the 5th time, for its commitment to gender, sex and sexuality diversity. The University has been recognised for its strong policies and practices surrounding diversity and inclusion, specifically in relation to gender, sex and sexuality diversity activities and initiatives undertaken during 2022/23.
The AWEI now stands as the definitive national benchmark on gender, sex and sexuality diversity workplace inclusion and comprises the largest and only national employee survey designed to gauge the overall impact of inclusion initiatives on organisational culture. The Index drives best practice in Australia and sets a comparative benchmark for Australian employers across all sectors.
UOW continues its efforts to provide a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment, where all staff and students can be their authentic selves.
The below resources provide guidance and information on affirming your gender at the University of Wollongong. Information is for both those affirming their gender and for the staff who support them such as managers, People & Culture staff and work teams.
As gender affirmation looks different to every person, these resources have been designed to provide general guidance and can be built out to create a plan that works best for the individual affirming their gender.
Previously known as The Safe Place Project, the Welcome Here Project started in 1998 in response to high levels of street-based violence directed at gender, sex and sexuality diverse people. Local businesses signed up to become a "Safe Pace" by putting a sticker in their shop front to let gender, sex and sexuality diverse community members know they could seek refuge if they were under the threat of violence.