Partnerships, networks and memberships

Partnerships, networks and memberships

We have several key projects underway to support the priority groups and objectives outlined in our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Framework.

We have several key projects underway to support the priority groups and objectives outlined in our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Framework.

We have several key projects underway to support the priority groups and objectives outlined in our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access Framework.

Our community partnerships and institutional memberships also provide opportunities for staff and students to participate in training, events and initiatives to make RMIT a better place to be. We have been recognised in the community for our progress.

Gender equality

  • RMIT is proud to be an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, recognised by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. Find RMIT's 2022 Public Workplace Gender Equality Agency Compliance Report here.
  • RMIT‘s efforts to improve gender equity have been acknowledged with an Athena SWAN Bronze award and Cygnet award (the highest-level awards available), part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative promoting women’s career development in STEMM.
  • Funded by philanthropic, community and industry partners, RMIT has 15 unique Scholarships for women students, and for women in STEMM, with 93 recipients in 2023. RMIT’s Equity Access Schemes help women and trans and gender diverse applicants attain entry to RMIT programs in which they are under-represented. See the list of 2023 programs.
  • We have partnered with Respect.Now.Always to end sexual harassment and assault on university campuses. Our Strategic Action Plan to address gender-based violence outlines the actions we will take to make RMIT a safer place for everyone.
  • The Women Researchers’ Network (WRN) was established in 2013 to enable RMIT female academic staff and research fellows at all career stages to connect with each other, share opportunities, access resources and participate fully in positive, active professional development.

LGBTIQA+ at RMIT

  • We are an institutional member of Pride in Diversity, the national not-for-profit employer support program for LGBTI workplace inclusion
  • In 2019 we received the top honour – Employer of the Year – in the Australian Workplace Equality Index, in recognition of our achievements in LGBTIQA+ inclusion for students and staff. We also received the award for Trans and Gender Diverse Inclusion, and were awarded Gold Employer status for the second year in a row.
  • We were awarded the Gold Tier award in the 2021 Pride in Sport awards recognising RMIT Sport’s efforts in advancing LGBTQ inclusion, with RMIT student Alex Smyth also a finalist for the LGBTQ Out Role Model award in 2023.
  • Our Ally Network is comprised of staff and students of all genders, sexes, and sexualities. We currently have over 120 trained Allies.
  • The RMIT Student Union Queer Department represents, advocates for and empowers the RMIT student queer community with Queer Spaces and events on campus. We also have a LGBTIQA+ Network for staff, which provides support and social opportunities for LGBTIQA+ staff members
  • Our work to support our LGBTIQA+ community was recognised in the 2017 GLOBE Awards, where we were awarded the prize for Protecting Our Community.

Disability and accessibility

  • We are a disability confident employer, committed to providing fair and equitable recruitment processes for candidates with disability
  • We are an institutional member of Australian Network on Disability (AND), and have been recognised as one of the top five organisations for accessibility in the AND Access and Inclusion Index
  • Our Equitable Learning Services (ELS) team provides support and equal opportunities for over 3000 students with a disability, long-term illness and/or mental health condition and primary carers of individuals with a disability
  • Our Accessibility at Work team ensure a streamlined and efficient process for staff making workplace adjustment requests
  • Our Disability & Neurodiversity Staff Network supports RMIT staff who identify as disabled/people with disabilities (or similar) and neurodivergent. The network holds regular meetings to provide mutual peer support by connecting, supporting and advocating.

Parents and carers

  • Our flexible and inclusive policies and provisions assist staff and students with to manage parental and carer responsibilities alongside work and study commitments
  • Parent and carer facilities are available on each campus
  • Our program of professional development opportunities ensures staff are confident and well-prepared for the transition to and from parental leave 
  • Our state-of-the-art City campus Children’s Centre provides long-day care for the children of staff and students

Widening student access and participation

  • RMIT is proud to partner with over 220 secondary schools throughout Victoria via our Schools Network Access Program (SNAP). SNAP schools are located in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, and SNAP students receive priority access to on-campus tertiary preparation programs and to RMIT degree and diploma programs through the SNAP Access Scheme.
  • Each year we welcome over 2000 secondary students from our SNAP partner schools on campus to experience life as a university student. Our I Belong programs increase student aspirations for higher education, and their knowledge of available careers and study options.
  • Since 2013, over 10,000 students have enrolled at RMIT through the SNAP Access Scheme. SNAP-enrolled students continue to be academically successful, with comparable rates of achievement and retention to RMIT’s broader domestic population.

Cultural diversity and belonging

  • We are a proud member of Diversity Council of Australia, the Equal Employment Opportunity Network, and the Victorian and national Equity Practitioners in Higher Education networks
  • Our comprehensive program of access and support for students from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds was developed in collaboration with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, and provides scholarships, fee waivers and priority access to academic and career services and opportunities. In 2022 RMIT received a Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence for this program and its outcomes
  • Our partnership with Common Purpose provides students and staff the opportunity to participate in global leadership programs, and build their cultural intelligence and leadership skills
  • Our multi-faith chaplains provide spiritual support to students and staff of all faiths and none, and we have prayer rooms on all campuses 
  • We are proud of our vibrant international student community. International students make up about 20 per cent of our on-shore student population 
  • We have a strong focus on global experiences, and encourage our domestic and international students to consider incorporating an overseas exchange program or study tour into their RMIT degree
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information