Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic) Research Brief

With approximately 65 per cent of Australians aged 15 years and over employed or actively seeking employment, workplaces have significant social influence as key settings in the community where individuals spend the majority of their adult lives (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2018). Whilst Australia has made progress in recent years, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s most recent scorecard demonstrate just how much more needs to be done to address gender-based gaps in terms of representation, remuneration and flexibility in the workplace (Workplace Gender Equality Agency, 2020). This Research Brief reflects on the purpose and reporting requirements of the Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic) including the role of the Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner tasked with monitoring its ongoing implementation. The Brief also outlines the obligations and reporting requirements under the Act, which commenced on 31 March 2021.