Our Policy
The Training Centre is committed to the principles of equity, fairness and inclusivity. Click to read our Gender Equality and Diversity Policy.
Gender Equality and Diversity Policy
This policy applies to staff and students of the Training Centre in any area and at any time they are undertaking work or study related activities both within Australia and overseas, including during work placement and conferences. This policy should be read in conjunction with the specific equity and diversity policies of the collaborating universities.
- The Centre is committed to the principles of equity, fairness and inclusivity and to providing a workplace which is supportive and free from discrimination on the grounds of:
- race, colour, national descent, or social or ethnic group
- marital status
- gender identity or intersex status
- medical condition (not affecting work performance)
- pregnancy or potential pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- sex
- age
- family or carer’s responsibility
- religious belief or activity
- physical features
- trade union activity (or inactivity)
- political belief or activity
- employment activity
- sexual orientation
- lawful sexual activity
- neurodiversity
- impairment (including physical or mental disability)
- personal association with a person who is identified by reference to a protected attribute under the Fair Work Act.
- The Training Centre drives diversity and inclusion through the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Committee, and takes a continuous learning approach by building networks and collaborations with other organisations.
- The Training Centre recognises that there are groups of people who have experienced long term and/or systemic disadvantage and undertakes to redress this through taking appropriate and reasonable measures to ensure equity of access and participation in all aspects of the Centre’s work.
- The IDEA Committee acknowledges intersectionality and will actively address the compounding challenges individuals may face when they belong to multiple underrepresented groups.
- The Training Centre strives to create an environment in which the diversity of all members is valued and a culture based on mutual respect. Such a culture encourages the use of inclusive language and respectful interpersonal interactions.
- The Training Centre will, in consultation with collaborating institutions, identify and eliminate barriers to full participation in employment, education, or research, through a range of strategies including the promotion of awareness of unconscious bias, the elimination of discriminatory selection criteria, access to training and development, support and mentoring, and recognising the importance of work-life balance.
- The IDEA Committee will assess the effectiveness of the Gender equality and Diversity Plan regularly via annual staff/student satisfaction surveys and annual diversity audits to ensure that the plan remains dynamic, responds to new challenges, and meets its objectives.
- The Training Centre will systematically review its policies, procedures, guidelines and activities to ensure they are consistent with and reflect the principles of equity and inclusion.
The Training Centre will develop a communication strategy for sharing the plan’s objectives, goals, and progress with all stakeholders.
First Nations
The Training Centre and its partner universities are committed to supporting First Nations students. We welcome interested students to reach out to us. We recognise the knowledge, perspectives, and leadership of First Nations communities as integral to shaping more inclusive and culturally responsive biosecurity sector.
In practice this means:
- Providing cultural awareness and unconscious bias training for all staff and students to foster a respectful, inclusive cohort.
- Actively supporting and encouraging First Nations students to join our programs and welcoming them to connect with us directly.
- Collaborating through the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS), including hosting First Nations Board Interns, participating in the NABS mentorship program, and contributing to First Nations Roundtables organised by NABS.
- Providing financial support for two First Nations students to complete Honours in a biosecurity-related field.
- Co-designing two potential PhD projects with First Nations people and supporting interested students to apply for an RTP scholarship with a Training Centre top-up.
Cultural and Linguistically Diverse People
The Training Centre values the global diversity of our community. We have students from many different countries, indeed from all continents except Antarctica. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where all students feel a strong sense of belonging and help shape our programs and culture.
In practice this means we;
- Share activities that build community and celebrate culture.
- Foster peer connections through mentoring/buddy networks and cohort events.
- Promote wellbeing by linking students to counselling and other support services.
We recognise the challenges of moving to Australia, including navigating culture, learning English, life-admin requirements, and sometimes homesickness. If you need support, help is available. Current students can reach out to your supervisor or student support services for help (see below), or reach out to Sarah Adams, Chief Operating Officer.
Gender and LGBTIQ+
We are committed to gender equality for people of all genders, not just men and women. We work in partnership with our students and staff to shape an inclusive culture. Each of our partner universities has existing commitments to gender equality, and over half of our PhD students and postdoctoral research fellows are women. We recognise the need to focus on retention and progression for women and non-binary individuals, and consider intersectionality that may expose individuals to overlapping forms of discrimination.
In practice we:
- Seek to provide a flexible, inclusive environment work-study environment that supports healthy work-life balance.
- Use fair recruitment processes (bias-aware criteria, diverse panels).
- Maintain safe, confidential reporting routes and a zero-tolerance stance on harassment.
Need a confidential chat? Sarah Adams, Chief Operating Officer, has completed LGBTIQ+ Ally Training at ANU, and is a safe person to speak to if you need support or someone to listen.
Disability and neurodiversity
We value the diversity of our cohort (students, staff, chief investigators and partners), including people with disabilities, medical conditions, impairments, neurodiverse people, and people who need adjustments for a variety of reasons. The Centre is committed to creating an inclusive environment where staff and students with disabilities or medical conditions are supported to take part fully and safely. When a disability or health condition affects someone’s ability to participate in Centre activities, we will work together to find reasonable adjustments that enable participation.
If you need adjustments for Training Centre activities, including placements, events, and training, please contact Sarah Adams, Chief Operating Officer, at plantbiosecurity@anu.edu.au. There is no need to disclose a disability, though you may do so if you wish.
Examples of adjustments we can arrange:
- Pacing & sensory support. Regular breaks during events and access to a low-sensory space to rest and recharge.
- Clarity & admin help. Written instructions, checklists/manuals, and help with complex processes and paperwork.
- Productivity supports. Study partners, quiet co-working sessions, or structured group work to boost focus and increase productivity in a supportive way.
- Peer learning & mentorship. Opportunities to connect with mentors, including peers/leaders with a disability, impairment or neurodiversity.
- Structured feedback. Regular feedback and check-ins to help you stay on track with goals and timelines.
- Problem solving & reassurance. Someone to chat to if you are feeling stuck or struggling with procrastination. We can help you brainstorm, and problem solve, get started, or check an email you’re worried about.
In addition to Training Centre supports, you may also want to seek adjustments through your university and/or partner organisation. Students can contact the ANU Accessibility Team, JCU Accessibility Team or InclusionUC. Postdoctoral research fellows can contact their HR department.