Gender Equity

At UNSW, we believe diversity provides invaluable perspectives enriching the learning, teaching and working experiences for our students and staff.

We value the importance of diversity and inclusion in everything we do. A focus on gender equity and inclusion is central to our Strategy 2025 as we continue to strive to be an international exemplar of equity diversity and inclusion. We seek to foster a culture that is truly inclusive, in which all female-identifying students and staff can participate equally in all areas and levels to achieve their full potential.

UNSW Gender Targets

While UNSW employment data shows we still have a way to go to achieve our Strategy 2025 gender targets, the University is committed to improving the representation of women in senior roles.

The targets are:

40% female academic staff at level D and E: 31.5% as of 2018; and
50% female professional staff at HEW level 10+: 52% as of 2018, achieving gender parity.

UNSW has identified the need to address drivers including career progression and promotion; training and development; and fostering a leadership-driven inclusive culture.

For example, we must reverse the sharp decline in female representation from senior lecturer, to associate professor and professor levels. We will do this through targeted action to address leaks in our pipeline, such as improved support for recruitment, retention and promotion.

“Structural change alone is not enough and creating an enabling environment and inclusive culture at all levels is key to achieving our goals." Professor Ian Jacobs, President and UNSW Vice-Chancellor

UNSW Special Recruitment Measures

UNSW has received permission from the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board to lawfully advertise targeted employment opportunities to women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. This step demonstrates UNSW’s commitment to address the imbalance that exists in our employee population.

The exemptions allow UNSW to advertise:

Senior academic positions to women-only where women contribute to less than 40% at Levels D or E in a Faculty
390 Indigenous identified positions across professional and academic disciplines
UNSW Canberra can recruit five women-only academic appointments annually, from Associate Lecturer to Senior Lecturer in STEM disciplines.

Your involvement ensures UNSW continues to offer equitable employment opportunities to foster a diverse workplace.

Read our FAQs for more information on targeted recruitment measures at UNSW.

UNSW initiatives

Andy Kaladelfos, Negin Nazarian, Timothy O’Leary, Susana Vaz Nery

Meet Our Gender Equity Champions

Meet the people championing social innovation through gender equity practices across UNSW.

UNSW Women's Collective

The UNSW Women’s Collective (WoCo) is an autonomous intersectional-feminist collective focused on activism, education and community organisation.

SAGE Athena SWAN Award

Our aim is for women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines to thrive.

Supporting UNSW’s Working Parents

UNSW is committed to helping staff balance work-life responsibilities, by providing access to high-quality services, facilities, and flexible work and leave arrangements, where possible.

WiRN: Women in Research Network

The Women in Research Network (WiRN) is UNSW's leading forum for research-active women to connect and collaborate to build an equitable and inclusive research culture at UNSW. 

Women's Wellbeing Academy

The WWBA brings together colleagues and collaborators from across the UNSW community to enhance and highlight our diverse multidisciplinary work in the area of women’s wellbeing.

Panel Pledge

An initiative of the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia, Champions of Change Coalition, and Chief Executive Women that aims to increase the visibility and contribution of women leaders in public and professional forums.

A Black non-binary person laughs while sitting in a cushioned wicker chair with their leopard print cane. They are surrounded by four more disabled people of color. Everyone is in the midst of conversation at a rooftop deck party - Disabled and Here

Diversity Days

On Diversity Days we celebrate and support the rich diversity of our UNSW community. The days listed are celebrated each year at UNSW.

International Women's Day

International Women’s Day has become a time to reflect on progress, to call for change and to celebrate the courage and determination of the women who changed history, and those who will advance gender equality into the future.

Be a Better Human

Arc and UNSW have partnered in an initiative called 'Be A Better Human' in order to help strengthen a respectful and inclusive culture.Together we want to encourage everyone to do more when it comes to understanding, preventing and responding to disrespectful behaviours.

Equity Diversity & Inclusion