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Equal Opportunity

Legislation and Compliance

Introduction
Key Equal Opportunity Legislation
Schools Equal Opportunity and Anti Harassment Compliance
Other Resources

Introduction

The Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic) outlines the values, employment principles and standards that apply to public officials and all public sector employers. Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic)

Under the Act the Public Sector Standards Commissioner must promote the public sector values and principles and issue standards concerning the application of the principles.

The Public Sector Standards Commissioner has issued binding standards and non-binding guidelines on:

Equal Employment Opportunity
Fair and Reasonable Treatment
Merit in Employment
Reasonable Avenues of Redress

Values

The Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic) outlines the public sector values including responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect and leadership. The values underpin the public sector and reflect the behaviours essential to the relationship between the public sector and the Government, the public sector and the community, and between those who work in the public sector.

Employment Principles

The employment principles outlined in section 8 of the Public Administration Act 2004 reinforce the public sector values. The principles are essential to a highly effective and harmonious public sector workplace.

Standards

Standards set out the essential requirements for public sector employers to apply the employment principles in their organisation. The Standards are binding on public sector bodies (including the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development) and their employees (including staff in schools) and set out the essential requirements for managers/principals to apply the employment principles in our organisation. The Standards stipulate that:

Employment decisions are based on merit;
Public sector employees are treated fairly and reasonably;
Equal employment opportunity is provided;
Public sector employees have a reasonable avenue of redress against unfair or unreasonable treatment;
In the case of the Public Service Bodies, the development of a career public service is fostered.

Further information on Values, Employment Principles and Standards can be found at the State Services Authority

The principle of equal employment opportunity is a binding standard and can be read alongside EEO guidelines issued by the Public Sector Standards Commissioner.

Key Equal Opportunity Legislation

Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic)

Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)

Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth)

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth)

Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)

Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth)

Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic)

Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)

Schools Equal Opportunity and Anti Harassment Compliance

The following tools and resources support the Equal Opportunity compliance requirement for Victorian Government Schools. Principals may use these tools and resources when completing the schools compliance checklist.

EO Policy Checklist