Diversity, equity and inclusion at the Department of Health

Our goal is to create an inviting and diverse workplace that is inclusive and culturally, physically, and psychologically safe. We want all people to feel respected and to bring their whole selves to work and be their best.

1. Gender equality at work

Our first Gender Equality Action Plan creates opportunity for real and meaningful change. It is the next step in our journey to achieve a respectful and inclusive workplace.

We'll build on our work to date and put new initiatives in place to build equity and equality in our workplace.

Through this action plan, we will:

• Hold our leaders accountable for championing gender equality
• Increase intersectional gender representation and inclusion
• Normalise flexible work and support staff with caring responsibilities
• Improve support and processes for staff who experience unacceptable behaviours, and
• Reduce pay gaps.

2. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

Cultural safety for Aboriginal communities and employees is central to our success.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Strategy 2021-2026 sets our goal to become the employer of choice for Aboriginal people. In our workplace, staff are valued for their cultural knowledge and lived experience.

We are committing to better work opportunities and choices for Aboriginal people. We aim to build a supportive and respectful culture that values the expertise and perspectives of Aboriginal staff.

The Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework aims to help mainstream Victorian health, human and community services and the department to create culturally safe places and services.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Career Pathways

We have several employment pathways to attract, retain and develop a diverse and inclusive workforce. This includes programs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people:

• The Graduate program includes a pathway for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. It is offered to undergraduate and postgraduate students who have recently completed their studies. This 12-month intensive program enables graduates to gain practical skills and knowledge. They'll learn about the work of the department and will secure employment at the end of the program.
• CareerTrackers Internship provides Aboriginal university students paid internships. They gain work experience as they study, which will boost job readiness and employability on graduating.
• The Aboriginal staff network (ASN) is open to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff to:
  • share their experiences of working in the department
  • support each other
  • take part in shared development
  • network and to have a good yarn in a culturally safe environment.

Please register your interest with aboriginal.workforce@health.vic.gov.au for a future career within Health.

3. Implementation plan for Getting to Work: Victorian Public Sector disability employment action Plan 2018-2025

The Victorian Public Sector’s disability employment action plan 2018-2025: Getting to work guides our disability employment implementation plan. It is Victoria’s long-term plan to enable people with disability at all levels of the public sector to have:

• higher levels of employment
• successful careers
• a fairer employment experience.

Career Pathways for people with disability/condition(s)

We use various employment pathways to attract, retain and develop a workforce that includes people with disability or a condition:

• The Graduate Program (including a pathway for applicants with a disability/condition) offers an equal experience. You do not need to share any information about your disability or condition at any point in the program. The Victorian Public Sector Commission will support candidates through the application process.
• Digital Jobs Program (including a neurodiverse pathway) aims to build a talent pool. This will meet the growing need for digital expertise across Victoria.
• The Youth Employment Scheme (YES) traineeship program includes a disability pathway. It gives young Victorians an opportunity to build a career in government. The YES traineeships are paid and provide work experience while obtaining a Certificate III or IV qualification. These run over an initial 12-month period with appropriate supervision.
• Rise Program is underpinned by the Rise Recruitment and Support Framework. It takes a unique approach to the recruitment of people on the autism spectrum to enable sustainable and meaningful employment. Please register your interest by emailing: rise@health.vic.gov.au
• The Victorian Public Sector (VPS) and departmental Enablers Networks advances equality, accessibility, and inclusion for people with disability. Through education and advocacy, the networks aim to create positive and empowering workplaces.
• A sub-group of the VPS Enablers Network is the VPS Autism Success Network (ASN). It is a staff-led collective to advance equity, equality, accessibility and inclusion for people with autism across the VPS.

4. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer and Asexual (LGBTIQA+) communities

The department is currently a bronze AWEI employer and our new LGBTIQA+ Workplace Inclusion Action Plan aims to get us to Gold.

The department's LGBTIQA+ Workplace Inclusion Action Plan outlines our commitment to cultivating a workplace culture defined by inclusivity, respect, and safety for all employees, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The LGBTIQA+ Workplace Inclusion Action Plan sets the department's roadmap to celebrate LGBTIQA+ inclusion and strives to be Victoria's exemplar LGBTIQA+ employer where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

We are committed to achieving this by:

• ending homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and LGBTIQA+ inequality in the workplace
• promoting LGTBIQA+ inclusion and celebrating LGBTIQA+ culture
• growing, attracting and retaining our LGBTIQA+ workforce and leadership
• being an employer of choice for LGBTIQA+ Victorians.

5. People from culturally diverse backgrounds

We are committed to cultural diversity through our work in:

• community services
• programs
• policies
• initiatives

We create employment pathways for asylum seekers and refugees through the Culturally diverse CareerSeekers program. Participants in the program complete work readiness training and attend a non-competitive interview. They then begin a paid internship through fixed-term employment for 12 weeks at the VPSG-2 level.

The VPS and our Health Women of Colour Networks strives to create a safe and inclusive space. This allows members to contribute their lived experience to inform the development of policies and programs to:

• better meet the needs of communities
• advocate for professional and personal development
• improve diversity and inclusion practices.

If you are from a diverse background, are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant, or you have a disability/condition(s), and require advice and support with the recruitment process, please email our Inclusion Unit on inclusion@health.vic.gov.au.