Deakin's equity performance

Employer of Choice for Women 2012

Deakin has once again received the 'Employer of Choice for Women' citation, for the seventh consecutive year.

Awarded by the Australian Government's Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA), the citation recognises the University’s sustained efforts to improve employment outcomes for women.

As one of only 125 organisations qualifying this year, EOWA Director Helen Conway, said the war for talent was heating up and Deakin had met stringent criteria to qualify for this prestigious citation.

'The leaders of the organisations on this list recognise there is a competitive advantage to be obtained by employing a diverse workforce,' Ms Conway said.

In awarding this honour, EOWA considers the number of women in senior positions, a comprehensive pay equity analysis, strategies to reduce the pay gap between men and women, policies relating to equity and diversity, participation in development and equal employment opportunity training programs, among other initiatives.

The Deakin University Gender Equity Plan 2012-2015 also provides strategies for the University to become a leader in gender equity performance in the Australian higher education sector.

Deakin University's 2010 Student Equity Report found that:

• Over the 2007-2009 period, Deakin University access and participation rates for low socio-economic status (SES) students under 25 have been at their highest point since 2005. Participation and retention rates of low SES students of all ages exceed state benchmarks. However, in light of the Federal Government's Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), continual improvement is needed to maintain and grow against state and national benchmarks.

• Deakin University performs significantly above in all but one equity benchmark for regional students, and has done so since 2005. Access, participation, retention and attainment rates for regional students indicate that Deakin expertly services the needs of regional Victoria, and Australia.

• Access rates for students with disability have risen consistently since 2005. Significant improvement has also been made in success, participation and attainment rates since 2007. Deakin University is committed to working to better meet the state and national benchmarks.

• Access and participation rates amongst Indigenous students at Deakin are significantly above state and national benchmarks. Through the Institute of Koorie Education (IKE), Deakin University is committed to embedding Indigenous perspectives in the curriculum and ensuring Indigenous students are supported in succeeding in higher education.

• The Deakin Engagement and Access Program (DEAP) involves partnerships between the University and regional, low SES and under-represented secondary schools in Melbourne, Geelong and the Western District of Victoria.