Victoria Legal Aid

Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework

Our Diversity and Inclusion Framework outlines our goals, guiding principles and diversity dimensions that will support us to ensure our staff and clients experience equality in access, inclusion, and cultural safety.

Our commitment

Supporting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring our organisation is a safe and inclusive workplace and service, is critical to achieving our vision of a fair and just society where rights and responsibilities are upheld.

We recognise that when people from different backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives work together, we create the most value – for our clients, our employees, and the Victorian community.

Our diversity profile

We conducted our first Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Survey in 2018. In 2021, of the 58 per cent of staff who responded to the survey:

  • 3 per cent are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
  • 38 per cent are from a diverse cultural background
  • 17 per cent are LGBTQI+
  • 0.8 per cent identify as transgender and gender diverse
  • 77 per cent are women
  • 27 per cent identify as having disability and/or mental health issues.

Our diversity and inclusion framework

The aim of our inclusion framework is to build an inclusive, accessible and anti-racist workplace culture, which reflects the diversity of the community we serve.

The Framework sets out our overarching vision for an increasingly inclusive and diverse organisation that respects every individual – their differences, backgrounds, and rights – and details the goals and principles that will guide our continued progress.

This handy snapshot (docx, 605.63 KB) shows how the Framework incorporates all the elements of our diversity and inclusion work together.

Our diversity and champions networks

As part of our activities to encourage inclusiveness, we have several employee diversity networks. Each of these networks provide employees with an opportunity to connect with similar colleagues from across the organisation, build a support network with each other, work with our organisation to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion and to help inform future policies, services, and activities. We have also established champion networks to support implementation of our diversity and inclusion strategies and initiatives across the organisation.

Our diversity networks

  • First Nations Staff Network
  • Culturally Diverse Staff Network
  • Disability Employee Network
  • Pride Network
  • Trans and Gender-Diverse Network.

Our champions networks

  • Reconciliation Champions
  • Cultural Diversity Champions.

More information

For more information, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion team.

Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Reviewed 21 March 2023

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