Gender Equality
Eliminating forms of discrimination and violence against women, enhancing women’s access to reproductive rights and ensuring their effective participation in leadership and public life will benefit all.
Through our dedicated research, policies, practices and teaching we are contributing to realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
Achieving gender equality requires long-term and sustainable action to close the inequity gap. La Trobe is committed to ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion.
LOCAL AND GLOBAL IMPACT - OUR RESEARCH CONTRIBUTING TO SDG 5: GENDER EQUALITY
See below for measurable, demonstrable, and beneficial change occurring beyond the university as a result of our research
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La Trobe University and Global Observatory Unite to Tackle Gender Inequality and Violence in SportLa Trobe University and Global Observatory Unite to Tackle Gender Inequality and Violence in Sport
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Dr Lesley Cheng wins Women of Colour in STEM Award
Dr Lesley Cheng wins Women of Colour in STEM Award
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New ways to support women through the menopause
New ways to support women through the menopause
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Report shows gender bias continues in newsrooms
Report shows gender bias continues in newsrooms
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Project breaks down barriers for women in coaching
Project breaks down barriers for women in coaching
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Fathers less likely to tackle ‘awkward’ sex talk
Fathers less likely to tackle ‘awkward’ sex talk
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Paper highlights hidden harm of men’s alcohol use
Paper highlights hidden harm of men’s alcohol use
PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY ACROSS OUR OPERATIONS
La Trobe University continues to attract strong interest from women and applicants from underrepresented groups, reflecting the University’s commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
Over the past five years, women accounted for an average of 64% of applicants. Between 2021 and 2025, the number of applications from people from low socio-economic backgrounds (LowSES), and Indigenous backgrounds increased, reflecting growing interest in La Trobe University among these community. Applicants with disability is an integral part of La Trobe’s diverse applicant community, although applications from this group declined between 2021 and 2025.
2025 has proven another year of significant interest from women and underrepresented groups with 63% of applicants identified as female, 18.4% of applicants were from low socio-economic background (LowSES), 12.2% of applicants reported disability and 1.3% of applicants had Indigenous backgrounds.
Figure 1. La Trobe's applicant rate for female and underrepresented groups 2021-2025
From applications through to commencement, La Trobe University attracts a diverse student community, reflecting its commitment to gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
Women represented a clear majority of La Trobe’s commencing students in 2025, with 63% of students identifying as female. The 2025 commencing cohort also included students from a range of underrepresented groups: 13% were from low socio-economic background (LowSES), 9% reported living with a disability, and 1.3% identified as Indigenous.
Figure 2: La Trobe’s commencement rate for female and underrepresented groups 2021-2025
La Trobe University’s Access and Participation plan outlines how the University uses Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) funding to support major equity initiatives across the University which address women’s applications, acceptance, entry, and participation at the university.
These include pre-access outreach initiatives with schools and communities: the Regional Pathways Program and In2Science Program in which mentors help to engage students from underrepresented groups (including low SES and female students). Access (pre-entry and admissions) initiatives including Scholarships available specifically for women. Participation (transition and progression during studies) initiatives that promote successful completion of studies and Progress and attainment initiatives aimed at preparation for graduate employment.
La Trobe‘s Admissions Policy encourages and supports participation from persons who have experienced disadvantage or are from a group underrepresented in higher education.
The terms ‘under-represented’ and ‘marginalised’ students are groups that record relatively low access and participation rates in higher education. These groups include the six identified equity groups in Australian higher education: Indigenous students; those from non-English speaking, regional and rural, and low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds; women in non-traditional areas such as IT and Engineering; and students with a disability.
La Trobe University offers a range of women-focused access schemes, including mentoring programs, scholarships, and support initiatives. Here are the key examples:
Women-Focused Scholarships
- Janice Moira Bible Scholarship: Specifically supports women in advancing nursing leadership, with five awards annually (2024–2030): two for merit, two for educational disadvantage, and one for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander woman enrolled in the Master of Nursing program.
- Santa Singh and Balwant Kaur Scholarship – Refugee: Targeted scholarship for students who hold a permanent humanitarian visa with a preference to Palestinian and Afghan women.
- BG&E Engineering Access Scholarship: Supports domestic students particularly women that are highly disadvantage to ease financial burden and focus on their studies in Civil Engineering.
- Other scholarships that are available to domestic female students are Flo Robinson Memorial Education Scholarship, Iris Manton Memorial Scholarship and James and Helen Fazzino Bursary.
Mentoring Programs
- STEM Sisters Mentoring Program: A structured 12-week mentoring initiative supporting women of colour in STEM, pairing current STEM students with experienced professionals to foster inclusion and empower underrepresented groups.
- La Trobe Leaders / Peer Mentoring: Senior students provide 6-week peer support to first-year students—helping them navigate campus life, connect with support services, and find resources for a smoother transition into university.
La Trobe In2science, a multi-university mentoring program that builds STEM aspirations among students from under-served communities and helps secondary students explore pathways into further STEM study.
Female students represent a substantial proportion of those reached through In2science. In 2025, an estimated 1,400 female students participated, representing 47% of students reached. In Semester 1 2026, approximately 720 female students participated, representing 51% of students reached.
In2science mentors provide students with relatable examples of people studying STEM at university and discuss STEM interests, educational pathways and future study opportunities. Among female participants surveyed in Semester 1 2026, intention to continue studying STEM at school increased by 8.11%, intention to choose a VCE STEM subject increased by 4.78%, and interest in studying STEM at university increased by 6.47%.
By increasing female students’ confidence, engagement and interest in continuing STEM through secondary school and into university, In2science supports pathways for female students towards further study in STEM fields where women remain underrepresented.
La Trobe University is committed to gender equity and non-discrimination against women across study, employment and participation in university life. This commitment is implemented through a suite of university policies and plans that promote equal opportunity, prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment.
Gender equity and non-discrimination for staff
- La Trobe’s Gender Equity Policy promotes gender equity, diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity across the University. It commits La Trobe to identifying and addressing women and gender inequality and supporting fair and respectful treatment without bias or discrimination.
- The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (Staff) Policy, further support a workplace free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, victimisation and other unacceptable behaviour towards women and other genders.
Non-discrimination for students
- La Trobe’s Student Behaviours Policy and Student Charter support students’ right to study and participate in a safe, respectful and inclusive University environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. Together, these measures support equitable participation of women and other genders in education and University life and establish expectations for respectful and non-discriminatory behaviour across the student community.
Gender Equity Policy
La Trobe’s Gender Equity Policy commits the University to ensuring individuals of all genders have equal opportunities, are treated fairly and respectfully, and are not subject to bias or discrimination. The policy explicitly recognises gender beyond a binary framework and acknowledges non-binary, gender-diverse, cisgender and transgender identities.
Transgender and Gender Diverse Staff Support Policy
La Trobe’s Transgender and Gender Diverse Staff Support Policy provides specific support for staff affirming their gender. This includes access to gender affirmation leave and flexible work arrangements, recognition of chosen names, pronouns and gender, privacy and confidentiality protections, and the option to develop an individual Gender Affirmation Support Plan. The policy also supports an inclusive workplace in which discrimination and gender-based harassment are not tolerated.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (Staff) Policy
La Trobe’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (Staff) Policy provides the broader framework for a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. It commits the University to equal opportunity, removing barriers to participation and maintaining an environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other unacceptable conduct.
La Trobe's parental leave policy is inclusive and is open to staff members who have responsibility for the care of a child during the leave either by way of: birth of a child of the staff member, or the staff member’s partner or former partner or a legal surrogate; or adoption of a child under the age of 16 years; or an Indigenous Australian Kinship caring arrangement of a child.
We offer early education and care for the children of students and staff at La Trobe University and for our local communities.
Our centre is rated as exceeding the National Quality Standard in all seven areas and offers all day and short-day care options to help families balance work, study and parenting needs.
The centre offers early education and care for children between the ages of six weeks to six years.
The flexible options and close proximity to La Trobe campus allows mothers or primary carers to attend university courses. Childcare fees are subsidised and the level of fees charged is relative to individual financial circumstances.
La Trobe University supports women and non-binary students to build confidence, professional networks and career pathways in fields where they remain underrepresented.
The La Trobe Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Student Chapter provides opportunities for mentoring, professional networking, leadership development and engagement with the cybersecurity industry. The student-led chapter is supported by La Trobe’s School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and connects students with peers, mentors and industry professionals.
In 2025, the chapter developed LinkUp in Cyber, an inclusive networking initiative that connected 68 students with 33 industry professionals. The event included a career panel and focused networking sessions, giving students direct access to professional advice, industry role models and career networks.
La Trobe students also have access to women-focused mentoring initiatives including the STEM Sisters Mentoring Program, a structured 12-week program connecting women of colour in STEM with experienced professionals, alongside mentoring opportunities through programs such as WiCyS Global Women Mentoring and the Australian Women Security Networking network.
These initiatives form part of La Trobe’s broader commitment to supporting women and gender-diverse students to participate, progress and develop professional connections in cybersecurity and other fields where they remain under-represented.
The graph shows the completion rate by gender for the period of 2021-2024. Monitoring completions of female students demonstrates La Trobe’s commitment to positive change in the community.
In 2024, 66.9% of completions were students identified as female, this is above the four years average of 65.8%.
Figure 3. La Trobe Completion Rate by Gender 2021-2024
La Trobe's Workplace Behaviours Policy states that ‘Staff are entitled to the right to raise issues or to make an enquiry or complaint in a reasonable and respectful manner without being victimised’.
La Trobe's Parental Leave policy outlines a range of parental leave entitlements, arrangements and procedures related to caring responsibilities for children. The University acknowledges the diversity of family structures, and entitlements related to parental leave are designed to be inclusive.