Focus Areas

Equity and Diversity services target staff and students from groups who have been traditionally under-represented in tertiary education. These groups are Indigenous Australians, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, people with disabilities and women, particularly women in non-traditional areas. The Equity and Diversity focus areas are based on these target groups:

Indigenous Australians

Indigenous Employment

UWS is committed to increasing the representation of Indigenous people at all levels of the University workforce. The University is aware that the employment levels of Indigenous Australians remain low and has implemented the following strategies:

• the establishment of an Indigenous Advisory Council to advise the Board of Trustees and the University in relation to a range of Indigenous issues, including the direction and development of employment and support of Indigenous staff
• the Academic and General Staff Enterprise Agreements provide for an Indigenous Australian Employment Strategy, and an Indigenous Australian Employment Strategy Consultative Committee
• the Enterprise Agreements also provide for the introduction of an Indigenous Australian Language Allowance.

Indigenous Services

» Aboriginal Education Centre

Reconciliation Statement

The Reconciliation Statement is a formal declaration of UWS's commitment to the reconciliation process.

External Links

By selecting the link below, you will be taken to a site external to the UWS website. Please note the University's Disclaimer and Privacy Statement.

» AustLII website - Indigenous Law Resources
» Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
» NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs
» Reconciliation Australia

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Cultural Diversity

UWS Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement

UWS has a culturally diverse staff and student population. Strategies for maintaining and enhancing this diversity at UWS are detailed in the UWS Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement Plan 2005-2007.

Related Documents

• UWS Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement Plan 2005-2007 [Acrobat Document: 223Kb]

Dates of Cultural and Religious Significance

To celebrate and promote awareness of the diversity of the UWS community, Equity and Diversity have produced the 2008 UWS Equity and Diversity Calendar (PDF, 935Kb). This is a calendar of cultural and religous days celebrated in Australia and around the world.

Posters of this calendar are available on request from Equity and Diversity.

UWS has a commitment to providing leave for staff to participate in significant cultural and religious events and ceremonies which are not covered by public holiday provisions. Options include personal leave, flex leave, leave without pay and time in lieu. This calendar assists managers and supervisors to anticipate and plan for their employees religious and cultural commitments.

Guidelines for Addressing Cultural Issues for Events at UWS

Demonstrating respect for cultural diversity assists in building stronger relationships. Guidelines for Addressing Cultural Issues for Events at UWS provides practical advice for event organisers on how to ensure that everyone who comes to a UWS function feels welcome and respected.

Related Documents

• Guidelines for Addressing Cultural Issues for Events at UWS [Acrobat Document: 99Kb]

External Site

By selecting the link below, you will be taken to a site external to the UWS website. Please note the University's Disclaimer and Privacy Statement.

» NSW Community Relations Commission

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Disabilities

Staff with Disabilities

UWS is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive employment environment for staff with disabilities.

Staff with disabilities have the right to:

• apply for and be fairly considered for jobs on the basis of merit
• equal opportunity for promotion and career development
• equitable access to the full range of University employment conditions and the full range of University services 
• reasonable workplace accommodations where their disability does not prevent them fulfilling the inherent requirements of the job.

UWS has the following policies, services and resources to assist staff with disabilities:

• Disability Policy
• Reasonable Adjustment in the Workplace for People with Disabilities Policy
• accessible parking for staff, students and visitors with disabilities
• a range of facilities on campus including stair lifts, ramps and accessible toilets. The location of these facilities is marked on the campus maps.

National Disability Coordination Officer Program(NDCO)

UWS is funded by the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to establish and run the National Disability Coordination Officer Program in three Western Sydney regions.

The main role of  NDCO positions is to improve and coordinate education, training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities who have left school.

For more information on the Program go to the NDCO Website

External Sites

By selecting the link below, you will be taken to a site external to the UWS website. Please note the University's Disclaimer and Privacy Statement.

» Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training
» Center for Applied Special Technology
» Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

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Women

UWS Employer of Choice for Women

UWS is a recipient of the prestigious citation Employer of Choice for Women 2007. UWS received this award because it demonstrated that the University:

• has policies in place (across employment matters) that support women across the organisation
• has effective processes and practices (across employment matters) that are transparent
• has strategies in place that support a commitment to fully utilising and developing its people (including women)
• educates its employees (including supervisors and managers) on their rights and obligations regarding sex-based harassment
• has an inclusive organisational culture that is championed by the CEO, driven by senior executives and holds line managers accountable
• delivers improved outcomes for women and the business.

Equal Opportunity for Women

Women have been traditionally under-represented in senior management and in a number of occupational areas. Under the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999, UWS has a continuing obligation to improve employment prospects, remuneration and training and development for women. Equity and Diversity works with supervisors and managers to develop strategies and programs to assist women's development.

International Women's Day

International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March. Each year UWS marks this important occasion with a special event.

In 2008, the Vice-Chancellor hosted a function at the Parramatta campus to which all staff, students, and members of the public were invited. As part of the celebrations the UWS Women of the West 2008 award was announced. The 2008 winner was Helen Walker OAM who was nominated for  exceptional community service to the Western Sydney community. Helen was the founding manager of Great Community Transport (GCT) a charitable organization which provides transportation assistance for people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

External Sites

By selecting the link below, you will be taken to a site external to the UWS website. Please note the University's Disclaimer and Privacy Statement.

» Australian Government Office for Women
» Australian Vice-Chancellor's Committee website - Senior University Women
» Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency
» NSW Premier's Department Office for Women

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Related Links

• Welcome to Equity and Diversity
• Contact Us