1. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR
WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
AGENCY (EOWA)
Overview of Reforms
Lunch and Learn
Presented by: Melanie Basista

2. WHAT IS IT?
 The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace
(EOWW) Act 1999 aims to :
o Promote merit in employment
o Promote equal employment opportunity
and eliminate discrimination
o Encourage consultation between employers
and employees on these issues
 The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace
Agency (EOWA) is a statutory authority aimed to administer
the Act and through education, assist organisations achieve
equal opportunity for women.

3. HOW DOES THE EOWA ADMINISTER THE ACT?
 The EOWA receives reports from approximately 3000
businesses covered by the Act each year.
 Consultants then work with the organisations to ensure
compliance to the Act and to assist in the development of
workplace programs.

4. HOW DOES THE EOWA ASSIST?
 Provides guidelines to compliance and reporting
 Provides tools to assist in developing effective workplace
programs
 Provides feedback on workplace programs
 Conducts workshops
 Initiates discussions with business to progress equal
opportunity in the workplace
 Produces publications such as an online newsletter
 Participates in events and conferences

5. WHAT IS A WORKPLACE PROGRAM?
 A workplace program is a strategic approach to
eliminating discrimination and contributing to equal
opportunity for women in the workplace.
 Organisations covered by the Act need to develop a
workplace program and report annually on that program
retrospectively.

6. WHAT
ORGANISATIONS
ARE REQUIRED TO
REPORT?
 All non
government and
not for profit
organisations with
over 100 staff must
report annually.

7. THE 7 MATTERS ORGANISATIONS NEED TO
CONSIDER WHEN REPORTING...
1. Recruitment and Selection
2. Promotion, Transfer and Termination of employment
3. Training and Development
4. Work Organisation
5. Conditions of Service
6. Arrangements for dealing with sex based Harassment
7. Arrangements for dealing with pregnant and potentially
pregnant employees and employees who are
breastfeeding

8. ANALYSIS NEEDS TO INCLUDE...
Consultation
Statistics, Policies
and Procedures

9. EOWA
REFORM
March 2011 – reform package was announced

10. WHAT WILL CHANGE?
1. A new name and focus
2. Improved coverage
3. Streamlined reporting
4. Strengthened compliance
5. Industry Assistance

11. REFORM IN MORE DETAIL….
A new name and focus:
• Workplace Gender Equality Act and Workplace Gender
Equality Agency (WGEA)
• Focus strengthened on gender equality – pay equity,
caring and unpaid responsibilities
Improved Coverage:
• Encompass both men and women
• Employers must report on gender composition of their
boards
• <100 employees still do not need to report, however they
will have access to the agency

12. REFORM IN MORE DETAIL….
Streamlined Reporting
• Focused on outcomes not processes and procedures
• Businesses can report online
• Remove the requirement for orgs to develop workplace
programs
• Employers will report against a set of gender equality
indicators for men and women
• CEO’s and employee reps will need to sign off on reports
• Reports available to all employees and shareholders

13. REFORM IN MORE DETAIL….
Strengthened compliance:
• The Agency will have the power to conduct reviews of an
org to make sure reports are accurate
• Industry level benchmarks and being able to demonstrate
progress will be important in compliance
• Non-compliant orgs can be named and shamed publicly
• Legislation will reflect that government only deals with
compliant organisations

14. REFORM IN MORE DETAIL….
Industry assistance:
• The Agency will develop industry specific benchmarks and
strategies for achieving equality
• It will provide advice, resources and referrals also through
mobile support teams
• The Agency will play a role in developing, maintaining and
reporting on the data it collects

15. WHEN DO THE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT?
New Legislation – developed and introduced in 2011
First reports – 2013
New legislation will contain transitional arrangements to give
organisations time to adapt
Further communication and education activities will be undertaken
to provide employers with info and support – late 2011

16. FURTHER
INFORMATION
www.eowa.gov.au
www.fahcsia.gov.au