• Section 1 - Purpose
• Section 2 - Scope
• Section 3 - Policy
• Commitments
• Diversity and Inclusion Framework
• Monitoring and reviews
• Support
• Breaches
• Section 4 - Resources
• Section 5 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) To provide an environment at RMIT Group that promotes diversity and inclusion, equal opportunity and prevents discrimination. To ensure that all staff members and students are educated to recognise and prevent institutional or systemic issues that lead to discriminatory practices and/or behaviours that may constitute discrimination (including sexual harassment, victimisation, vilification, and bullying).

Section 2 - Scope

(2) All staff, consultants, visiting researchers, contractors, third party suppliers, honorary appointments, visiting appointments, volunteers, students when they are engaged in the activities of the RMIT Group.

Section 3 - Policy

Commitments

(3) Consistent with its commitment to inclusion in its Strategic Plan, RMIT recognises the benefits for the recruitment, retention, innovation, wellbeing and productivity of staff and students in an environment that celebrates and welcomes diversity and inclusion.

(4) RMIT acknowledges Indigenous Australians as the original and continuing Australians and ongoing custodians of Country. RMIT is committed to the unique relationship that exists with Indigenous people through Indigenous community engagement, employment and broader education strategies.

1. RMIT acknowledges that this policy is a step in the evolution of new approaches that step out Indigenous Australians from a Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity framework towards development of a unique and independent framework.

(5) Equal opportunity is an integral part of the employment life cycle applicable to recruitment, retention, performance management, promotion, talent identification, succession planning, remuneration, professional development and end of employment.

(6) Equal opportunity is an integral part of the student experience and life cycle applicable to facilities and services, applications, enrolment, learning and assessment, involvement in the University community and graduation.

(7) RMIT is committed to promoting and applying equal opportunity, and all members of the RMIT community covered by the scope of this Policy are expected to contribute to an inclusive working, learning and social environment:

1. in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are equally respected;
2. free from all forms of unacceptable unlawful discriminatory behaviour including, sexual harassment, bullying, victimisation, threat or violence and racial/religious vilification.

(8) RMIT is committed to continually improving and fully integrating equal opportunity and inclusion principles into all aspects of its activities throughout its Policy framework, decision-making and planning processes and outcomes.

(9) RMIT commits to employing targeted strategies, actions and measures (‘special measures’) as appropriate to improve opportunities for people from under represented or disadvantaged groups, and will make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to policies, practices and requirements where necessary to provide equal opportunity for individuals.

(10) Application of this policy in RMIT global partnership arrangements takes account of international and local regulatory contexts, the independence of partner organisations and commercial imperatives. These contextual considerations are managed through Contract management and partner management processes.

Diversity and Inclusion Framework

(11) RMIT’s Diversity and Inclusion Framework (PDF 609KB 1p), and related Action Plans support implementation of the Diversity and Inclusion principles and objectives. RMIT’s priorities and objectives to build a more diverse and inclusive student and staff community include: 

Staff Gender Equality

(12) RMIT will take every opportunity to support and improve gender equality outcomes addressing any gender imbalances, including gender pay gaps, senior gender representation and career progression. Promotion of flexible ways of working for all genders are important to support caring and parental responsibilities.

Staff and students Diverse Genders Sexes and Sexualities

(13) RMIT aims to be a place where people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities are recognised and welcomed, are free to be themselves and can bring their whole selves to work and study, and where all can benefit from the diversity of our community.

Staff and students with disabilities

(14) RMIT commits to undertake actions to enhance inclusion for staff, students and visitors with disabilities including promoting visible leadership, awareness and participation; ensuring that our physical and digital environments are accessible, inclusive, and safe; and providing an equitable, flexible and inclusive experience for all students and staff with disability.

Staff and students Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

(15) Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) is a broad concept that encompasses differences between people such as language, birthplace, ancestry, ethnicity, cultural traditions, societal structures, and religion. RMIT aims to ensure policies, practices and behaviour support inclusion and equality, and do not perpetuate systemic discrimination or exclusion due to unconscious bias, stereotypes, or other inappropriate assumptions.

Students from low socio-economic backgrounds

(16) RMIT aims to, where possible, facilitate access to education and employment so that people of diverse circumstances and backgrounds can contribute to the intellectual, economic, social, cultural and civic life of their communities, and that all staff and students should experience an inclusive and supportive environment.

(17) Each RMIT controlled entity will create their own Diversity and Inclusion Framework Action Plans.

(18) The Global Development Portfolio is responsible for ensuring that offshore partner contracts and partnership management processes respond appropriately to the RMIT Diversity & Inclusion Framework.

Monitoring and reviews

(19) RMIT will undertake regular reviews of the staff employment life cycle to ensure systemic issues impacting equal opportunity and inclusion are addressed. These reviews will include analysis of policies, processes, culture, experience and outcomes to ensure inclusive practices enable all staff members to fully participate. The reviews may include consultation.

(20) RMIT will undertake regular reviews of the staff and student life cycle to ensure systemic issues impacting equal opportunity and inclusion are addressed. These reviews will include analysis of policies, processes, culture, experience and outcomes to ensure inclusive practices enable full participation. The reviews may include consultation. 

Support

(21) RMIT offers support to members of the RMIT community who believe they have experienced discrimination as defined by this policy. Support options include:

1. For students at an RMIT University campus or partner:
   1. their School or College representatives;
   2. RMIT Connect, Equitable Learning Services or Wellbeing advisors
   3. raise a complaint through the relevant complaints process
2. For students at RMIT Training:
   1. Student Services
   2. raise a complaint through the relevant complaints process

1. For staff:
   1. People team
   2. raise a complaint through the relevant complaints process

Breaches

(22) A breach of this policy may result in disciplinary action under the Student conduct policy or the Staff code of conduct. Depending on the nature and impact of the breach, other action may be instigated, including legal action.

Section 4 - Resources

(23) Refer to the following documents which are established in accordance with this Policy:

1. Commitment Statement on Program Inherent Requirements
2. Digital Accessibility Framework
3. Diversity and Inclusion Framework and Action Plans
4. Reconciliation Action Plan

Section 5 - Definitions