The Australian Catholic University is committed to foster and promote teaching, research and scholarship in its widest and richest sense in accordance with Christian principles and traditions of the Church.

The purpose of the University is expressed in mission statements issued from time to time, which the University, its staff and students put into practice.

The University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity in employment and education for its staff and students. This commitment is consistent with the essential characteristics of a Catholic University with its underlying principles of social justice and equity.

The Equal Opportunity Policy is designed to support the principle that staff are selected or promoted according to merit.

Federal and State legislation relating to anti-discrimination and affirmative action imposes certain obligations on both the University and its staff. It is the policy of the University to conform with the obligations which are imposed upon it by such legislation.

A wide range of unlawful discrimination, both direct and indirect is covered by the legislation, which is subject to frequent review and amendment. Commonly included are:

Race, colour, national or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, sex or gender, marital status, pregnancy, intellectual or physical impairment and disability.

The University recognises that its pursuit of equal opportunity principles must take place within an evolving legislative framework.

Objectives

Accordingly, the University accepts that as an employer and educator it has responsibility to ensure that its structures and practices are free from direct or indirect discrimination.

The University will take action in both employment and education to:

• Promote equal opportunity 
• Prevent unlawful, direct and indirect discrimination, including sexual harassment
• Develop an affirmative action and management plan in accordance with the Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity For Women) Act 
• Address, where appropriate and lawful, the effects of education disadvantage or past discriminatory practices within the general community, particularly in respect of disadvantaged groups within the University community 
• Adopt policies, procedures and programs consistent with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination principles 
• In developing policies, procedures and programs to achieve equal opportunity, the University will consult, as appropriate with staff and students and their recognised associations. Procedures and programs will be monitored and evaluated against stated objectives
• Every member of the University community is expected to be aware of such policies and of their own obligations under relevant State and Federal laws and to ensure that their actions conform to them.
• All heads of academic units, managers and supervisors have a particular responsibility to ensure that the programs are implemented and such laws are complied with.
• They should be co-operative with staff whose task it is to devise, develop and implement measures to meet the requirements of the policies of the University as well as those of the legislation.