Equity and diversity
At Swinburne, we’re all responsible for creating a culture that provides an environment that is safe, flexible and fair. It’s also culturally appropriate, friendly and professional — free from discrimination and harassment.
We seek to create a culture of acceptance. We cultivate and respect the strength that difference creates. Swinburne celebrates the diversity of its community and recognises the rights and responsibilities of all those within it.
Equity and diversity in action
At Swinburne, we actively promote a culture of inclusion, where diverse backgrounds, genders, sexuality, age, cultures and abilities is celebrated.
Swinburne has initiated the following strategies and action plans to promote and increase diversity and equality for staff and students.
Our scholarships and grants are some examples of these strategies in action.
Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and Framework
Swinburne's framework takes an intersectional approach to all diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives.
Our initiatives in action
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Swinburne Gender Equality Action Plan
Swinburne's Gender Equality Action Plan cements our commitment to continuously improving our gender equity efforts. It contains gender equity strategies and focused actions to improve gender equity throughout our operations.
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SAGE (Science in Australia Gender Equity) at Swinburne
Swinburne is enhancing gender equity and diversity, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM). -
Cultural diversity
Swinburne is a global culturally diverse and inclusive university. We cultivate and respect the strength that difference and cultural diversity creates.
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AccessAbility Action Plan
Swinburne’s AccessAbility Action Plan will ensure our working and learning environments are accessible, inclusive and equitable for people with disability.
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Reconciliation Action Plan
Swinburne’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) builds on our long standing commitment, over two decades, to the education and training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities.
Swinburne cultivates a culture of excellence, dignity, and respect, and continues to create a space where our employees and students of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities can feel safe and be given equal opportunity to thrive and contribute.
Swinburne has a number of LGBTIQ+ programs designed to support students and staff.
Swinburne Ally Network
The Swinburne Ally Network is composed of LGBTIQ+ identifying and non-identifying staff and students who champion inclusion at Swinburne. The group contributes to the design and implementation of the Swinburne’s LGBTIQ+ inclusion programs and organises events and learning sessions that raise awareness of LGBTIQ+ issues and celebrate our inclusive workplace.
To learn more about the Swinburne Ally Network, or if you are interested in joining, please contact allynetwork@swinburne.edu.au.
Gender Agenda
Gender Agenda is a student-led, staff-supported social support group for trans and gender diverse students. The group organises learning sessions and guest speakers for the benefit of its members and the community.
For those who are trans and/or gender diverse and are looking for a strong social support group at university please contact GenderAgenda@swinburne.edu.au.
Please visit our staff intranet (login required) or contact LGBTIQ@swinburne.edu.au for additional information.
Equity and diversity news
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- University
Australia Day Honours for Swinburne community
Swinburne staff, alumni and community members have been recognised in the 2023 Australia Day Honours List for their service and achievements.
Thursday 26 January 2023 -
- Student News
- Business
- University
International students share their experience and advice on working in Australia
International students Khuslen Tsendbaatar and Zayed Al Kathiri reflect on working in Australia after their year-long paid Professional Placement in Swinburne’s Careers & Employability team.
Tuesday 17 January 2023 -
- University
“Racism infects all else”: McAvoy’s powerful words at Barak Wonga
Tony McAvoy SC’s oration looked at the continued impact of colonialism, the prospects for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and how racism impacts us all.
Monday 12 December 2022 -
- Law
Scholarships help Swinburne students connect in Indo-Pacific
The New Colombo Plan mobility grant supports future leaders like Swinburne student Bri Williams to lift their knowledge and future networks in the Indo-Pacific
Tuesday 15 November 2022 -
- University
Swinburne awarded best in class for equity and access
Swinburne's Care Leavers Assistance and Support Program has won an AFR Higher Education Award for improving equity and access for students who've experienced care.
Friday 11 November 2022 -
- Design
History and heritage inspire creativity
A group of Australian artists with Italian heritage have proven how design history can inspire creativity through the Parallel Visions exhibition
Thursday 10 November 2022
Equity and diversity events
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Student Life
- Diversity
Celebrate Your Heritage
Celebrate and explore cultural diversity through music, performance, art, food and more! Wear your best traditional dress, join in the parade and win prizes for best-dressed student by student vote.
Register now (Celebrate Your Heritage) -
Community
- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
Swinburne Annual Barak-Wonga Oration 2022
Take part in advancing understandings in the wider community on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues as part of Swinburne's Reconciliation Action Plan.
Register now (Swinburne Annual Barak-Wonga Oration 2022) -
Thought Leadership
- Research Impact
- Diversity
- Engagement
A Night with the Outer Sanctum: Inside the Group Chat
Join Swinburne Sport Innovation Research Group and award-winning podcast team The Outer Sanctum as they engage with big ideas and challenging problems in sport and beyond.
Register now (A Night with the Outer Sanctum: Inside the Group Chat) -
Community
- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
2022 Swinburne Annual Reconciliation Lecture
Join Swinburne's National Centre for Reconciliation Practice and Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter (Yoorrook Justice Commission) in discussing the path to truth and building a shared understanding of our history.
Register now (2022 Swinburne Annual Reconciliation Lecture) -
Community
- Diversity
- Partnerships
AND Workshop: Re-establishing the Swinburne Accessibility Network
Help us make Swinburne more disability confident. Join the Swinburne Accessibility Network today!
Register now (AND Workshop: Re-establishing the Swinburne Accessibility Network) -
Community
- Indigenous
- Engagement
National Sorry Day
The Moondani Toombadool Centre will be holding National Sorry Day events across all three campuses on Thursday 26 May.
Register now (National Sorry Day)
Contact us
To enquire about our diversity and inclusion strategies and initiatives, please email inclusion@swinburne.edu.au.