Policy Framework for Substantive Equality

In December 2004 the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality was endorsed as official Government policy and resulted in the establishment of a Substantive Equality Unit located in the Equal Opportunity Commission.

The Policy Framework was successfully piloted in the following Departments and will now be implemented across the public sector.

• Department of Premier and Cabinet
• Department for Community Development
• Department of Justice
• Western Australia Police Service
  

The Policy Framework addresses systemic racism and is designed to ensure that all people have access to a public service that best meets the different needs of WA’s diverse community. This model of service provision is based on substantive equality. The Policy Framework is an expression of the principles in the Western Australian Charter of Multiculturalism.

News:

To assist in drafting your implementation plan a summary guide has been prepared.

Please note that the guide will also help to assess which service or focus areas to select in rolling out substantive equality over the next five years. Also remember that your implementation plan should be brief and that it is not expected that the level of detail indicated on page 4 of the summary guide for the first year. Consult your relevant portfolio officer for further clarification or assistance during this process.

Understanding the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality (Key Terms).

The Key Terms document has been developed as an easy reference glossary to accompany the Implementation Guide.

Premier announces Substantive Equality in job ads

As part of communicating vacancies through ‘Jobs on-line’ the Department of the Premier and Cabinet has advised all State government departments that a field has been created to include a substantive equality statement in your JDF’s and job advertisements.

RAMS users

The notice from Premier and Cabinet reads as follows:

There is now a new field in the "New Vacancy" screen, which is entitled "Substantive Equality Statement".

Each year your CEO is required to negotiate, with the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, the scope of implementation of the Substantive Equality Framework for your agency. As each level of the policy is implemented there will be a corresponding "Substantive Equality Statement" that may be included in your JDFs and job advertisements.

A senior officer in your agency will have been nominated as the contact person for the implementation of the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality, so you should seek their guidance as to what, if anything, should be placed in this field for your agency. If you leave it blank the field will not appear in your job advertisements. The field is non-mandatory.

Please direct any enquiries to the Substantive Equality Unit at the Equal Opportunity Commission on 9216 3909.

back to top

Publications:

• Understanding the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality
• The Public Sector Anti-Racism and Equality Program
• The Policy Framework for Substantive Equality
• A Summary Guide for Chief Executive Officers
• The Western Australian Charter of Multiculturalism
  

back to top

Newsletters:

• Substantive Equality News Vol. 2 Issue 1 (May 25, 2006)
• Substantive Equality News Vol. 1 Issue 2 (December 22, 2005)
• Substantive Equality News Vol. 1 Issue1 (September 14,2005)
  

back to top

Implementation tools:

• Preparing your Implementation Plan for Substantive Equality: A Summary Guide
• Needs and Impact Assessment Tool ( Initial Screening: Impact Assessment Form |
  Full Assessment: Impact Assessment Form)
• PowerPoint presentation introducing the Policy Framework and its implementation.
• Milestones: key dates for the first year of implementation.

For further information about the Policy Framework for Substantive Equality and its implementation, please contact an officer within the Substantive Equality Unit on (08)9216 3909 or by email at seu@eoc.wa.gov.au.

back to top