Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

The University of Wollongong is committed to working towards the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its governance, teaching and learning, community engagement, partnerships and research. The following initiatives are by UOW staff and students working towards Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Case studies

iAccelerate, the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) business accelerator and incubator, has launched a new scholarship program to help women bring their business ideas and community initiatives to life. The unique program is open to all women, but is particularly encouraging applications women from diverse communities, including Indigenous, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and refugee backgrounds to foster a more diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial community. 
 
The iAccelerate LIFT Scholarship Program for Women will allow women to join iAccelerate’s Activate program and gain vital entrepreneurial skills for their business and community initiatives. 
 
The business incubator is continuing its strong record of accomplishment in supporting women entrepreneurs, with more than 50 per cent of their companies having at least one active female founder.  
 
Since 2016, $132.5M has been injected into the regional economy through wages and contractor payments made by our resident companies, with $22.3M injected in 2023 alone. 

  • SDG 5 – Gender Equality 
  • SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth 
  • SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 
  • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals 

empowering women in business

Illawarra-born Scalapay, a leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) fintech startup, has joined forces with UOW’s business incubator iAccelerate to offer the Scalapay Scale Up Scholarship – Supporting Illawarra Entrepreneurs Initiative. 
 
This collaborative sponsorship worth $10,000 will allow up to three founders to receive funding for an iAccelerate residency and mentorship support for their venture. The initiative’s goal is to empower aspiring fintech founders and drive innovation in the Illawarra region. 
 
The scholarship will not only provide financial support but also offer invaluable resources, mentorship and access to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs at iAccelerate. 
 
Johnny Mitrevski, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Scalapay, is a true believer in the potential of Wollongong as a hub for world-class technology and innovation. He says the company aims to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for promising fintech startups to thrive. 
 

The team of Scalapay, startup based at Innovation Campus

SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth 
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals 

Empowering Fintech Innovators

UOW Local has been established as a flagship initiative to guide positive relationships and increase engagement between local communities and the University.  
 
Helping to facilitate connections between external stakeholders and the University, UOW Local fosters and maintains links with business and industry, local community organisations, donors, and volunteers, and builds a deeper awareness of the University’s activities. 
 
Partnerships have been developed with Raising the Bar Foundation and Healthy Cities Illawarra to address workplace mental health training and health promotion. The University has also collaborated with Wollongong City Council and Transport for NSW to support the Gong Shuttle, which transported more than 1.8 million passengers between July 2022 and June 2023. 
 
UOW actively supports a range of Illawarra and South Coast-based organisations, including Business Illawarra, Bundanon Trust, and the Illawarra Academy of Sport (IAS). In 2023, UOW subsidised fees for 232 members of community to attend the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. 

Image of Wollongong coastline - aerial shot

SDG 3 – Good health and wellbeing 
SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth  
SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities  
SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities 

Visit UOW local

Making impact locally

UOW is invested in improving the economic, social, and cultural life of everyone within our communities. Every $1 million in gross output due to UOW-related expenditure generates another $1 million of gross output elsewhere in the economy.  

UOW produces an Economic Impact Report every four years that provides insight into UOW’s total economic contribution.

See our economic impact CIRCA 2020 

UOW recognises the rights of its staff to freedom of association. There are two key unions that represent staff at UOW:

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which is the specialist union for Professional Staff in higher education.   
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), which is the specialist union solely representing staff in tertiary education.  
UOW recognises and engages with both key unions as part of the collective bargaining (labour rights) process to renew enterprise agreements for staff. Enterprise agreements apply to all eligible staff, including women and international staff, regardless of whether they are union member or not. Enterprise agreements at UOW do not discriminate against any staff, and cover a range of employment related topics such as salaries and conditions (e.g. leave), dispute resolution, appeals processes on employee rights and pay, and many more.

Enterprise bargaining FAQs

Modern slavery affects some 40 million people across the globe, with women and girls disproportionately affected. This grave violation of human rights is unacceptable. UOW is committed to making change that matters to meet this challenge and is committed to combatting modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking and child labour. 

How is UOW addressing modern slavery?

Flat lay of teh Modern slavery report showing point 6. IOur actions full spread and teh report cover

UOW staff reflect the diversity of our community – in gender, sexuality, disability and cultural diversity. UOW is a place for all genders and UOW is proud of our culture that provides equal opportunity, where people can be their authentic selves and have policies and practices in place to ensure that we provide a fair and equitable campus. We welcome anyone regardless of age, race, disability, colour, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or economic background.

UOW has policies and practices in place to ensure that we provide a fair workplace and campus free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. Our inclusive values empower all staff to achieve their full potential and remove barriers to participation. We are also committed to removing barriers to the selection, advancement, and opportunities for people of all genders in the workplace and have solid training packages in place. UOW’s gender equality website provides further information on specific programs and initiatives to support gender equity. 

iAccelerate plays a key role in dynamic community of entrepreneurs and innovators who are transforming Australia’s economy.

As the country’s largest university-led incubator, iAccelerate has partnered with around 385 start-ups, contributing to the creation of more than 1,085 jobs and injecting $132.5M into the economy.

Each company is introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a foundational subject in the education program, ensuring entrepreneurs are socially conscious and equipped to make a positive impact on the world.

iAccelerate is the only program of its kind that integrates a pre-accelerator, accelerator, and incubator under one roof. 

visit iAccelerate

The Centre for Contemporary Australasian Business and Economics Studies (CCABES) fosters the development and promotion of collaborative research in contemporary Australasian business and economics among countries at different stages of economic development. Researchers have strong international profiles and research is innovative, of high quality research and has broad academic, business and policy impact.

visit CCABES

Our vision is to provide opportunity for every UOW student to engage in a variety of scaffolded, purposefully-designed and learner-centred work integrated learning (WIL) experiences within their degree. Work Integrated Learning describes activities that integrate work practices with learning in an academic institution. Through WIL, students undertake authentic, experiential learning relevant to their program of study. WIL may occur in person or remotely, in a physical or simulated workplace, or in the classroom. It includes practicums, placements, internships, service learning, industry projects and experience, workplace simulations and professional activities. 

Empowering Students through WIL