Search

 More Search Options
About EOWA: Contains information on the Agency's role, the Act and our vision and mission statements. This section also contains the Director's profile and employment opportunites at the Agency.
About Equal Opportunity: Contains information on the importance of Equal Opportunity in the workplace and how it can benefit both your business and employees.
Developing a Workplace Program and Reporting: Includes all you need to know about reporting and compliance including developing workplace programs, submitting a compliance report and applying to be waived from reporting.
Case Studies: Diverse examples of the leading-edge practices being implemented by other organisations. Read about how these practices have benefited both business and workplace culture.
EOWA Events: Find out about upcoming EOWA events, including our annual Business Achievement Awards. Also download our calendar of other organisations' events, or tell us about an event your organisation is planning.
EOWA Employer of Choice for Women: Find out more about the initiatives these women-friendly organisations have put in place, or download information on applying for your organisation to become an Employer of Choice for Women. This section also contains useful resources for working women.
Research and Resources: This section houses the vast range of quality research and resources that have been produced by EOWA. Includes the EOWA Census, Annual Surveys, Publications and Employment Matter Guidelines and Resources.
Consultancy and Workshops: Download information on the various workshops and consultancy services provided by EOWA, including dates, times, locations and a registration form.
Media Centre: Contains media contact details and all EOWA Media Releases since December 1998.
Contact Us: Find our contact details including phone and fax numbers, physical and postal addresses and report submission contacts.
 Home : Reporting and Compliance : The Quick Guide
  1. What is Equal Opportunity?
  2. Overview of the Act
  3. What is a Workplace Program?
  4. Reporting to EOWA
  5. Submitting Your Report
  6. The Assessment Process
  7. Educational Tools to Assist
  8. Sanctions for not Complying
  9. Moving Forward
  10. 'EOWA Employer of Choice for Women'
  11. Business Achievement Awards

What is Equal Opportunity?
Equal Opportunity (EO) is about ensuring that all employees are treated with fairness and respect in that they are not subject to discrimination or harassment in the workplace.

EO means that all employees have equal access to the opportunities that are available at work. Equal Opportunity in the workplace benefits everyone, and enhances your company's profitability.

For further information, see Why EO Makes Business Sense.

back to top

Overview of the Act
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 (Commonwealth) came into effect on 1 January 2000, renaming and updating the Affirmative Action (Equal Employment Opportunity for Women) Act 1986.
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999 aims to:

  • Promote merit in employment;
  • Promote equal employment opportunity and eliminate discrimination; and
  • Encourage consultation between employers and employees on these issues.

The Compliance Guidelines provides detail on how to be compliant with the Act's requirement to:

  • Develop a Workplace Program
  • Report annually on that program
back to top

What is a workplace program?
A workplace program is a strategic approach to eliminating discrimination and contributing to equal opportunity for women in the workplace.

Organisations covered by the EOWW Act need to develop a workplace program and report annually on that program retrospectively.

EOWA has developed a six-step program for designing and implementing a workplace program. 

back to top

Reporting to EOWA
Organisations who need to comply with the Act are required to report annually to EOWA on the six steps of their workplace program.

Reports on the workplace program are retrospective and cover the 12 month period from 01 April in the previous year to 31 March in the reporting year. You may submit your report  from 01 April up to 31 May each year.

For the Public Report Form, sample public report and reporting resources refer to Reporting Resources.

Organisations may follow the Public Report Form to ensure they cover the six steps to developing a compliant report.

back to top

Submitting Your Report

  • Via email to reportforms@eowa.gov.au. If reporting electronically, you do not need to send in a hardcopy as well. Note that reports lodged via email will receive automatic electronic acknowledgement. If you do not receive this automatic reply, contact EOWA on (02) 9448 8500.
  • If email is not available, please post to:
    EOWA
    PO Box 712
    North Sydney NSW 2059.
back to top

The Assessment Process
EOWA client consultants assess the report and provide verbal feedback by phone on an organisation's compliance status and also provide tailored and industry-specific suggestions for ways in which the organisation's workplace program can be developed further.

On completion of the assessment, an email is sent to the Report Contact and a letter confirming compliance sent to the CEO.

Public Reports are published on the EOWA website on The Online Searchable Database of Reports.

back to top

Educational Tools to Assist
As part of the feedback from your Public Report, the EOWA Client Consultant will suggest specific resources which may be particularly suitable for your organisation's needs.

The EOWA website contains resources and educational tools to develop your workplace program, all of which are free:

  back to top

Sanctions for Not Complying
 Sanctions will apply to employers who are required to report under the Act and fail to meet the requirements of the legislation by either:

  • Not submitting a report on their program; or
  • Submitting a report which does not meet the requirements of the Act may incur a sanction.
back to top

Moving Forward
An organisation may apply to be waived from reporting for a fixed period if it can demonstrate to EOWA that it has:

  • Analysed its workplace to identify the equal opportunity issues for women relating to the seven Employment Matters;
  • Taken all reasonably practicable measures to address each issue; and
  • Been compliant with the legislation for at least three (3) consecutive years
back to top

'EOWA Employer of Choice for Women'
The 'EOWA Employer of Choice for Women' (EOCFW) citation is a prestigious acknowledgment by EOWA of organisations that are recognising and advancing women in the workplace.

Initiated in 2001, the EOCFW citation is valid for one year, and provides significant positioning in a competitive market place, particularly when a company is seeking to attract the best possible talent.

back to top

Business Achievement Awards
EOWA's Business Achievement Awards recognise excellence in organisations that advance women. The Awards are in recognition of those who are at the forefront of driving change for a more equitable workplace. Nominations for awards are due by 31 July.
 
back to top

Copyright 2001-2010 Commonwealth Government of Australia.
By viewing these pages you agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Privacy | Copyright | ABN 47 641 643 874 | Site Map