What is Equal Opportunity?
Equal opportunity is the application of human rights principles and laws to help create an equitable environment for work, study and the provision of services. Equal opportunity aims to ensure that the diversity of the Australian community is reflected in the profile of an organisation.
Equal opportunity at UTS refers to the right of all staff and students to work, study and access services in a university environment which is safe, equitable, free from discrimination and harassment, and where everybody is respected and treated fairly.
Your equal opportunity rights
"equal opportunity for all persons regardless of sex, race, marital status, family responsibilities, disability, sexual preference, age, political conviction or religious belief"
UTS is committed to providing opportunities for all students and staff to study, learn, work and participate in the full range of University activities. In particular, UTS has policies and programs to provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of:
- sex
- race
- marital status
- carers' responsibilities
- disability
- sexual preference
- age
- political conviction
- religious belief
If you believe that your right to equal opportunity has been compromised by discrimination or harassment, contact the Equity & Diversity Unit for information on what actions may be available.
Your equal opportunity responsibilities
UTS aims to build a supportive and open organisational culture which enables students and staff to develop to their full potential. This can only be achieved if everyone acts in ways that enhance the learning, working and social environment for all.
At UTS, all staff and students have a responsibility to contribute to the achievement of a productive, ethical, safe and equitable study and work environment. This responsibility extends to:
- students (including local, international and exchange students);
- academic and support staff (including continuing, contract or casual, visiting appointments, guest lecturers);
- sub-contractors working on campus;
- visitors to the University; and
- people external to UTS that students or staff interact with as part of their work or study, e.g. in work experience, industrial or clinical placements, exchanges or work-based learning units.
As a member of or visitor to the UTS community, you are expected to participate in implementing the University's equal opportunity policy. In particular, this means that you will not discriminate against or harass others on the basis of:
- sex
- race
- marital status
- carers' responsibilities
- disability
- sexual preference
- age
- political conviction
- religious belief
This goal is supported by state and federal legislation and by the social expectations of our broader Australian community.
